Incidents of self-harm at HMP Send in Surrey have surged by nearly 20 per cent within a year, according to a new report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).
The report highlighted 590 recorded cases of self-harm in the latest inspection year, compared with 479 in the previous period.
Inspectors attributed the rise to mental health struggles, adjudications, and the impact of prison rules.
The IMB warned that a high turnover of inmates, many with complex needs, has placed mounting pressure on both staff and the prison regime.
Concerns were also raised over a sharp increase in assaults, particularly prisoner-on-prisoner incidents, and a doubling of use-of-force cases compared with last year’s findings.
The report criticised the frequent use of escorting chains during medical appointments, delays in introducing digital technology to prepare inmates for life outside, and the loss of prisoner belongings during transfers between institutions.
Despite these challenges, the IMB praised management and staff for making what it described as “a great effort” to maintain safety. Inspectors noted that educational opportunities at HMP Send continue to receive positive feedback, while the introduction of 64 rapid deployment cells offering incentivised, substance-free living has been welcomed by prisoners recovering from addiction.
Philippa Helme, chairwoman of IMB Send, said the increasing turnover of inmates had negatively affected both safety and daily life inside the prison, warning that the board would closely monitor whether these trends persist.
HMP Send is a closed facility accommodating up to 255 adult women and transgender prisoners. In a recent review by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, it achieved the highest grade in three of four categories.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said the government recognised the urgent need for reform, noting that over half of women in prison are mothers and many are victims of crime themselves. They added that the establishment of a new Women’s Justice Board aims to cut the number of women entering custody and reduce the overall prison population.
