LONDON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of assaults and incidents of self-injury in prisons in England and Wales have risen to record high, figures released Thursday revealed.
Statistics from the Ministry of Justice showed that 26,643 assault incidents were recorded in the 12 months to the end of March 2017, a 20 percent increase from the previous period.
Serious assaults, including those requiring medical attention at hospital, have almost trebled in four years.
Prisons also recorded 40,414 self-injury incidents during the period, a 17 percent rise from the previous period, according to the ministry.
The figures, however, showed that 316 people died in prisons during the period, slightly down from 322 during the previous one.
In response to the statistics, the newly appointed Justice Secretary David Lidington said his top priority is improving safety and security in prisons.
"These figures reinforce how crucial it is that we make progress as quickly as possible. As the Chief Inspector of Prisons observed, we cannot achieve successful reform and rehabilitation unless our prisons are safe and secure -- and this is something I am committed to achieving," said Lidington.
