Self-inflicted deaths continue to be of concern at HMP Leeds

In its 2024 annual report published on 17 July 2025, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Leeds finds that the large number of self-inflicted deaths in custody continues to be at a concerning level. The report questions whether sufficient resources are being supplied to reduce these deaths.

The IMB notes that:

• Despite a reduction in self-harm incidents during the reporting year, there were six self-inflicted deaths. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman reports on some of these deaths refer to the need to ensure staff are properly trained and resourced; to do this they will need support from the wider prison service.
• Prisoners continue to share cramped cells in which they eat, sleep, wash and use the toilet. Consistent with the need for increased expenditure on buildings, the cells tend to be too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
• There are many prisoners with severe mental health problems who may not be prioritised for transfer to secure mental health facilities, because prison is perceived by the NHS to be a “safe” environment.
• On regular occasions over the course of the year it was necessary to curtail the daily regime because of staff shortages. This resulted in prisoners having less time out of their cells to associate and access work and education.  

However, the IMB is also pleased to report that:

• There has been a reduction in the number of IPP (imprisonment for public protection) prisoners in HMP Leeds.
• Prisoners’ good mental health and wellbeing is a priority for the management and staff, with the introduction of ‘check on a mate’ schemes to encourage prisoners to check in on each other, particularly on those who may be vulnerable.
• Staff and prisoner relationships are observed to be generally positive, particularly in smaller units within the prison.  

Leeds IMB Chair, John Cleland, said:

“HMP Leeds has one of the highest levels of self-inflicted death in the prison estate. Whilst the local prison leadership and staff are actively seeking to address this, we are concerned that a lack of investment is exacerbating an already very difficult situation caused by overcrowding and the reliance on infrastructure mainly built nearly 180 years ago.”