McArthur urges action to tackle prison self harm crisis

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur has today unveiled new research that shows that since 2021 there have been more than 4,400 self-harm incidents in Scottish prisons.

A freedom of information request submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed 4,049 incidents of self-harm in Scottish prisons, including more than 2,700 cutting incidents, 175 incidents of self-harm by overdose and 231 occasions of swallowing items.

Mr McArthur said:

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

“Some may roll their eyes at any attempt to make prisons a healthier and more productive place. That’s a short-sighted attitude because grim and Dickensian prison conditions make it so much harder to successfully rehabilitate people.

“Ultimately almost all prisoners will get out eventually and need to be reintegrated into the outside world. It’s in the interest of every community for them to be ready to be productive members of society.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want a properly funded justice system, a proper system of throughcare and the roll out mental health professionals across the prison estate.”