Preventing Self-injury and Suicide in Women's Prisons

In 2015 the landmark suicide of the 100th woman to kill herself in prison custody passed largely unnoticed. This book by two experts sets out to redress the balance by examining all aspects of the history, present practices, causes and prevention prospects connected to this tragic chain of events. A long overdue analysis of a subject that is at last beginning to receive enhanced scrutiny. Focuses on both women and adolescent girls in custody. Looks at psychological, demographic, environmental and clinical factors. The first book of its kind.

'A really welcome addition to the suicide and self-injury literature ... I highly recommend this book': Professor Rory O'Connor, University of Glasgow

'Very helpful in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of current practice and understanding why reductions in the prison population and a holistic approach to care are vital in saving lives': Dr Jo Borrill, University of Westminster

'The question that arises from this book is, "How can we as a society heap any more punishment on people who are already punishing themselves?"': Mark Johnson MBE, author of Wasted (Sphere, 2008), founder of the charity User Voice and CanDo Coffee.

'[The authors] bring an often neglected subject into sharp relief and, refreshingly, they are not afraid to make some strong, evidence-based assertions about the direction of penal policy and gaps in our understanding': Anita Dockley, Research Director, Howard League for Penal Reform.

'My hope is that our inquiry will spur a change in political attitudes ... and that this excel­lent book will ensure that the different experiences, vulnerabilities and needs of women and adolescent girls are properly taken into account': Lord Toby Harris, from the Foreword.

Dr Tammi Walker is Principal Lecturer in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society. She has research interests in the areas of women, self-injury, suicide, trauma and resilience in staff, all of which she has published on. Graham Towl is widely published in areas of risk assessment, prisoner suicide and mental health. He is Professor of Forensic Psychology, Durham University and recipient of a number of psychology-related awards.

Lord Toby Harris was Chair of the critically placed Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and Chair of the NOMS review into self-inflicted deaths in its custody (The Harris Review) 2009-2015.