Record number of inmates die at HMP The Verne, on Portland

Penal reform charity The Howard League has called for deaths in custody to be included in an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic, as a record number of people died in prisons across England and Wales.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show seven people died in HMP The Verne in the year to September.

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The entrance to The Verne

This was up from two the previous year, and the highest figure since comparable records began in 2000.

Since then, the prison has recorded 23 deaths.

In Portland Prison, one person died – in line with the previous year. Since comparable records began, the prison has recorded nine deaths.

Across England and Wales, 396 deaths in custody were recorded in 2020-21 – also a record high, and double the number there were in 2012-13.

Of the deaths last year, the majority (281) were from natural causes.

The figures do not indicate which of the deaths were due to coronavirus, but the MoJ said there have been 159 Covid-related prisoner deaths nationally during the pandemic so far – and most have occurred since September 2020.

Separate MoJ figures show that at the end of September, 6.2% of prisoners across England and Wales were aged 60 and over – the largest share on record. Six years ago – when the statistics began – that figure was 4.6%.

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In the Verne Prison, 183 of the 565 inmates were aged 60 or older.

But at 32.4%, this is down from 32.6% the year before.

The Howard League said older prisoners are most at risk from Covid-19, and that reversing the ageing prison population would save lives.

Older inmates account for around one in 100 of all those behind bars at Portland Prison, figures reveal.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show six inmates at HMP Portland were aged 60 or over at the end of September – 1.2% of the 505 total prisoners.

However, this was down from 1.4% a year before.

A total of 15 inmates at HMP Guys Marsh were aged 60 or over at the end of September – 3.3% of the 459 total prisoners.

This was up from 1.9% a year before, and the highest proportion for that time of year since records began in 2015.

Across England and Wales, almost 5,000 prisoners were aged 60 and over in September – 6.2% of the 78,500 people in custody.

This was up from 5.9% a year before and the largest share on record. Six years ago – when the statistics began – that figure was 4.6%.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the charity, said: "Prisons have largely been forgotten during the pandemic, but the rising number of people who have died reveals the devastation that Covid-19 has brought to those living and working behind bars and their families.

"Tens of thousands of people have been held in overcrowded conditions or solitary confinement for months on end.

"It is almost impossible to fathom the mental distress that this will have caused.”

She called for the deaths of people in the criminal justice system to be included in the inquiry into the Government's handling of the pandemic.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "Our population is ageing and so inevitably this is being reflected in the numbers of older people living, and dying, in prison.

"It is important that prison staff are trained to understand the needs of older people and have access to resources and support so they can meet them."

The MoJ said the ageing prison population has been driven by recent increases in the number of prosecutions for historic sexual offences.

A spokesman added: “During the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic, our decisive action saved thousands of lives and limited transmission in a uniquely challenging environment.”