Independent Monitors at HMP Cardiff welcome reduction in self-harm and use of force incidents

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for HMP Cardiff has highlighted in its annual report for 2024-25 (published on 22 January 2026) that incidents of self-harm among prisoners have reduced by 50% and use of force by 25%. While welcoming these significant improvements, the Board continues to express concerns about the condition of the prison’s infrastructure, and ongoing staffing shortages.

The IMB are pleased to report that:

• Incidents of self-harm reduced from 595 in the reporting year 2023-24 to 295 in the reporting year 2024-25. The prison has attributed this largely to the introduction of electric razors and the removal of access to razor blades.
• Use of force incidents have also reduced by 25%, from 852 incidents in the previous year, to 600 in the 2024-25 reporting year.
• The Board has welcomed the introduction of the launchpad scheme which provides laptops for prisoners to substantially improve communication and administrative functions.

However, the Board also notes that:

• Population pressures continued with prisoners routinely having to share cells, 40% of which were built for single occupancy only.
• Concerns about the poor condition of the estate and infrastructure were re-iterated throughout the reporting year, with prisoners having no space to eat outside of their cell and ongoing problems with hot water and heating. It was noted that although progress had been made on refurbishing cells and the introduction of a reduced mobility cell there remain accessibility problems for prisoners with mobility issues.
• Staffing challenges persisted throughout the reporting year, with delays in vetting significantly affecting the availability of nursing staff. The Board is also concerned that upcoming changes to the right-to-work scheme could further impact staffing levels despite the UK Government’s recent announcement of a temporary exemption from visa requirements for prison staff.

Chair of the IMB at HMP Cardiff, Lynne Schofield, said:

“We recognise the hard work of prison staff and the introduction of new processes, which have contributed to the reduction in self-harm and the use of force. 

However, the Board remains concerned about the condition of the ageing prison, with many cramped cells, originally built for single occupancy, now housing two prisoners who must eat and share a toilet in the same space. In addition a number of buildings have been condemned and there have been ongoing problems with heating, hot water and telephone services.

Delays in vetting new staff have also led to significant gaps in filling posts, particularly in healthcare, which has a knock-on effect on prisoners and staff.”