THE lawyer and human rights advocate Aamer Anwar has called for action from the Scottish Government, as new figures reveal the shocking rate of self-harm incidents within Scotland’s prisons.

Figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats via Freedom of Information show that in 2021 there were more than 600 incidents on self-harm in Scottish prisons. These include 495 episodes of cutting – 144 of which took place in Addiewell prison alone – as well as at least 103 episodes of self-harm by ligature, and at least 25 episodes of self-harm by swallowing items.

These numbers do not factor in suicide attempts, but only include incidents of self-harm where the prisoner’s intent was to find relief and release from emotional pain and distress.

The figures represent a 22% increase in comparison with 2017, while previous data suggests the number of comparable incidents remained high throughout 2019 and 2020, with 658 cases for each year.

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Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur commented: “These latest figures are deeply concerning, but hardly surprising in a prison estate that is bursting at the seams.

“The problem of self-harm in Scotland’s prisons has been getting steadily worse over the years, but SNP ministers have been slow to act.

“While ministers talk a good game about delivering a more progressive agenda on justice, the reality on the ground is very different.

“Scotland locks up more of its population than anywhere else in Europe, remand levels are through the roof and rates of self-harm continue to rise.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats believe the Government can start turning this situation around by basing more mental health professionals in our prisons.

“We secured a commitment from ministers to deliver this important measure, but so far recruitment has been glacially slow.”

Anwar had previously represented the families of William Lindsay and Katie Allan, both of whom had a history of self-harm before dying by suicide within four months whilst in custody at Polmont Young Offenders’ Institute in 2018.

Anwar told the National: “These figures are just the tip of the iceberg – despite all the promises made after Katie Allan and William Lindsay’s suicides, during the pandemic mental health has rapidly deteriorated for prisoners sometimes locked up for 23 out of a 24-hour day. Tokenistic responses by SPS [the Scottish Prison Service] fail to answer the needs of those prisoners crying out for help.

“How many more have to die before Keith Brown actually gives a damn? The failure of the SPS to address this issue is a sickening dereliction of duty.”

Professor Nancy Loucks, chief executive of the charity Families Outside, which works on behalf of families affected by imprisonment, also commented: “These are worrying figures. We know that over the course of the pandemic, people in prison have spent longer in their cells and have had less time to interact with others and take part in meaningful activities, which has had an impact on mental health and wellbeing. Opportunities for in-person contact with family have also decreased.

“We welcome recent work from the SPS to make it easier for families to raise concerns with prison staff about the emotional and mental wellbeing of their loved ones in prison.

“Families Outside will continue to work with the SPS to improve practice and opportunities for contact for families when someone is in prison.

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“We commend the recommendations from the Expert Review of Mental Health Support for Young People Entering Custody at HMP & YOI Polmont and are keen to see the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Response to Deaths in Custody acted on as quickly as practical. Both reports seek to prevent distress and to improve processes further where there are concerns for the health and wellbeing of a loved one in prison.”

Responding to the new figures, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The safe treatment and mental health of all those in custody is a key priority for Scotland’s prisons, which care for people with higher levels of risk and vulnerability than the general population as a whole.

“Our Mental Health Transition & Recovery Plan published in October 2020, backed by our £120m Recovery and Renewal Fund, made clear our commitment to continue to work with partners to seek better support for those with mental ill health within the criminal justice system, including prisons.

“Suicide prevention and self-harm policy are key areas of focus for the Scottish Prison Service in developing its Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and work is underway in this area.”