New figures show that violence and self-injury in prisons have reached record highs.

Data released by the Ministry of Justice demonstrates a 12% rise in incidences of both self-injury and assaults over the past year in prisons in England and Wales.

Over the last 12 months there has been a 15% increase in the number of self-harm incidents requiring hospital attendance.

Lord Jonathan Marks, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson, said:

“The Government’s continued failure to get violence and self-harm in our prisons under control is utterly disgraceful. The new Minister for Prisons, Rory Stewart, must make this his top priority.

“The Conservatives claim to want to turn our prisons into places of reform but with no attempt being made to address overcrowding they will likely remain squalid warehouses that only serve to harden criminals.”