Press Release – Publication of the 2022-2024 SADA Reports on Self-Harm in Custody - January 26th, 2026
The Irish Prison Service today (26/01/2026) published the fifth and sixth annual Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) Reports, providing a comprehensive overview of self-harm incidents across the prison estate during the 2022 to 2024 reporting periods.
Established in 2016 in partnership with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation, the SADA project supports the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy. The project also underpins the strategic objectives of the Irish Prison Service, including the creation of safer prison environments, strengthened mental‑health supports, and enhanced inter‑agency collaboration.
2022 Reporting Period
- 161 episodes of self-harm involving 100 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,371 in 2022.
- Annual self-harm rates: 2.6 per 100 prisoners
- Female prisoners recorded the highest rates of self-harm. Although the female population represents only around 3–4% of all prisoners, the rate of self-harm within this group was disproportionately high.
- Highest rates among 18–29 year olds.
2023 Reporting Period
- 215 episodes of self-harm involving 132 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,547 in 2023.
- Annual self-harm rates: 3.1 per 100 prisoners.
- Female prisoners recorded the highest rates of self-harm. Although the female population represents only around 3–4% of all prisoners, the rate of self-harm within this group was disproportionately high.
- Highest rate changes to 40+ group
2024 Reporting Period (Single‑Year Period)
- 203 episodes of self-harm involving 142 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,941.
- Annual self-harm rate: 4.1 per 100 prisoners.
- Males accounted for most individuals (85.9%); however, when adjusted for population size, the rate of self-harm among female prisoners was substantially higher (12.7 per 100 females vs 2.9 per 100 males).
- Highest rates among sentenced prisoners 18–29 year olds (both males and females).
Commenting on the publication, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey said: “These reports provide important insight into the complex factors associated with self-harm in custody, including mental ill‑health, addiction, trauma, and the stresses linked to imprisonment. While the number of episodes recorded in 2024 is lower than the previous reporting period, the data also highlights the importance of understanding rates and population changes when interpreting trends.
We are strengthening our response through enhanced committal health assessments, improved information‑sharing, and targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm. Work is progressing on a new Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, and we continue to expand trauma‑informed practice, staff training, and multi‑disciplinary case management. Our partnership with the HSE, the National Suicide Research Foundation, and the Samaritans remains central to ensuring that people in our care receive timely, compassionate support. Every incident represents a person in distress, and we remain fully committed to creating safer, more supportive environments across the prison estate.”
Across both reporting periods, the findings highlight the need for continued investment in trauma‑informed, multi‑disciplinary approaches. The Irish Prison Service continues to prioritise suicide and self-harm prevention through:
- psychology and psychiatric services,
- enhanced staff training,
- improved information‑sharing and early identification of risk,
- the Samaritans Listener Scheme, and
- strengthened collaboration with the HSE and community‑based services.
The reports also outline key recommendations for continued improvement, including the introduction of a Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, strengthened continuity of care at committal and post‑release, enhanced committal health assessments, and targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm.
Both the SADA – Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2022–2023 Report and the SADA – Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2024 Report are available by clicking the below images.
2022-2023 Report
2024 Report
Ends
Notes for Editors
- Suicide reporting guidelines for journalists: Samaritans Media Guidelines
- Journalists reporting on this publication are advised to include information on relevant helplines:
- Text About It: Text HELLO to 50808
- Samaritans: Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
- Childline: 1800 66 66 66
- aware.ie, www.yourmentalhealth.ie, www.spunout.ie
- The Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) project was established in 2016 in partnership with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation.
- The project supports the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy.
- The Irish Prison Service continues to strengthen suicide and self-harm prevention through:
- enhanced committal health assessments to support early identification of risk
- improved information‑sharing between healthcare, psychology, and operational staff
- targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm
- progress on a new Dual Diagnosis Model of Care to better support people with co‑occurring mental‑health and addiction needs
- expansion of trauma‑informed practice and staff training across the prison estate
- multi‑disciplinary case management for individuals at heightened risk
- continued partnership with the Samaritans, including the Listener Scheme
- collaboration with the HSE and community services to strengthen continuity of care at committal and post‑release
Press Release – Publication of the 2022-2024 SADA Reports on Self-Harm in Custody - January 26th, 2026
The Irish Prison Service today (26/01/2026) published the fifth and sixth annual Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) Reports, providing a comprehensive overview of self-harm incidents across the prison estate during the 2022 to 2024 reporting periods.
Established in 2016 in partnership with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation, the SADA project supports the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy. The project also underpins the strategic objectives of the Irish Prison Service, including the creation of safer prison environments, strengthened mental‑health supports, and enhanced inter‑agency collaboration.
2022 Reporting Period
- 161 episodes of self-harm involving 100 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,371 in 2022.
- Annual self-harm rates: 2.6 per 100 prisoners
- Female prisoners recorded the highest rates of self-harm. Although the female population represents only around 3–4% of all prisoners, the rate of self-harm within this group was disproportionately high.
- Highest rates among 18–29 year olds.
2023 Reporting Period
- 215 episodes of self-harm involving 132 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,547 in 2023.
- Annual self-harm rates: 3.1 per 100 prisoners.
- Female prisoners recorded the highest rates of self-harm. Although the female population represents only around 3–4% of all prisoners, the rate of self-harm within this group was disproportionately high.
- Highest rate changes to 40+ group
2024 Reporting Period (Single‑Year Period)
- 203 episodes of self-harm involving 142 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,941.
- Annual self-harm rate: 4.1 per 100 prisoners.
- Males accounted for most individuals (85.9%); however, when adjusted for population size, the rate of self-harm among female prisoners was substantially higher (12.7 per 100 females vs 2.9 per 100 males).
- Highest rates among sentenced prisoners 18–29 year olds (both males and females).
Commenting on the publication, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey said: “These reports provide important insight into the complex factors associated with self-harm in custody, including mental ill‑health, addiction, trauma, and the stresses linked to imprisonment. While the number of episodes recorded in 2024 is lower than the previous reporting period, the data also highlights the importance of understanding rates and population changes when interpreting trends.
We are strengthening our response through enhanced committal health assessments, improved information‑sharing, and targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm. Work is progressing on a new Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, and we continue to expand trauma‑informed practice, staff training, and multi‑disciplinary case management. Our partnership with the HSE, the National Suicide Research Foundation, and the Samaritans remains central to ensuring that people in our care receive timely, compassionate support. Every incident represents a person in distress, and we remain fully committed to creating safer, more supportive environments across the prison estate.”
Across both reporting periods, the findings highlight the need for continued investment in trauma‑informed, multi‑disciplinary approaches. The Irish Prison Service continues to prioritise suicide and self-harm prevention through:
- psychology and psychiatric services,
- enhanced staff training,
- improved information‑sharing and early identification of risk,
- the Samaritans Listener Scheme, and
- strengthened collaboration with the HSE and community‑based services.
The reports also outline key recommendations for continued improvement, including the introduction of a Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, strengthened continuity of care at committal and post‑release, enhanced committal health assessments, and targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm.
Both the SADA – Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2022–2023 Report and the SADA – Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2024 Report are available by clicking the below images.
2022-2023 Report
2024 Report
Ends
Notes for Editors
- Suicide reporting guidelines for journalists: Samaritans Media Guidelines
- Journalists reporting on this publication are advised to include information on relevant helplines:
- Text About It: Text HELLO to 50808
- Samaritans: Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
- Childline: 1800 66 66 66
- aware.ie, www.yourmentalhealth.ie, www.spunout.ie
- The Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) project was established in 2016 in partnership with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation.
- The project supports the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy.
- The Irish Prison Service continues to strengthen suicide and self-harm prevention through:
- enhanced committal health assessments to support early identification of risk
- improved information‑sharing between healthcare, psychology, and operational staff
- targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm
- progress on a new Dual Diagnosis Model of Care to better support people with co‑occurring mental‑health and addiction needs
- expansion of trauma‑informed practice and staff training across the prison estate
- multi‑disciplinary case management for individuals at heightened risk
- continued partnership with the Samaritans, including the Listener Scheme
- collaboration with the HSE and community services to strengthen continuity of care at committal and post‑release
Press Release – Publication of the 2022-2024 SADA Reports on Self-Harm in Custody - January 26th, 2026
The Irish Prison Service today (26/01/2026) published the fifth and sixth annual Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) Reports, providing a comprehensive overview of self-harm incidents across the prison estate during the 2022 to 2024 reporting periods.
Established in 2016 in partnership with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation, the SADA project supports the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy. The project also underpins the strategic objectives of the Irish Prison Service, including the creation of safer prison environments, strengthened mental‑health supports, and enhanced inter‑agency collaboration.
2022 Reporting Period
- 161 episodes of self-harm involving 100 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,371 in 2022.
- Annual self-harm rates: 2.6 per 100 prisoners
- Female prisoners recorded the highest rates of self-harm. Although the female population represents only around 3–4% of all prisoners, the rate of self-harm within this group was disproportionately high.
- Highest rates among 18–29 year olds.
2023 Reporting Period
- 215 episodes of self-harm involving 132 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,547 in 2023.
- Annual self-harm rates: 3.1 per 100 prisoners.
- Female prisoners recorded the highest rates of self-harm. Although the female population represents only around 3–4% of all prisoners, the rate of self-harm within this group was disproportionately high.
- Highest rate changes to 40+ group
2024 Reporting Period (Single‑Year Period)
- 203 episodes of self-harm involving 142 individuals were recorded.
- Average daily population: 4,941.
- Annual self-harm rate: 4.1 per 100 prisoners.
- Males accounted for most individuals (85.9%); however, when adjusted for population size, the rate of self-harm among female prisoners was substantially higher (12.7 per 100 females vs 2.9 per 100 males).
- Highest rates among sentenced prisoners 18–29 year olds (both males and females).
Commenting on the publication, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey said: “These reports provide important insight into the complex factors associated with self-harm in custody, including mental ill‑health, addiction, trauma, and the stresses linked to imprisonment. While the number of episodes recorded in 2024 is lower than the previous reporting period, the data also highlights the importance of understanding rates and population changes when interpreting trends.
We are strengthening our response through enhanced committal health assessments, improved information‑sharing, and targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm. Work is progressing on a new Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, and we continue to expand trauma‑informed practice, staff training, and multi‑disciplinary case management. Our partnership with the HSE, the National Suicide Research Foundation, and the Samaritans remains central to ensuring that people in our care receive timely, compassionate support. Every incident represents a person in distress, and we remain fully committed to creating safer, more supportive environments across the prison estate.”
Across both reporting periods, the findings highlight the need for continued investment in trauma‑informed, multi‑disciplinary approaches. The Irish Prison Service continues to prioritise suicide and self-harm prevention through:
- psychology and psychiatric services,
- enhanced staff training,
- improved information‑sharing and early identification of risk,
- the Samaritans Listener Scheme, and
- strengthened collaboration with the HSE and community‑based services.
The reports also outline key recommendations for continued improvement, including the introduction of a Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, strengthened continuity of care at committal and post‑release, enhanced committal health assessments, and targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm.
Both the SADA – Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2022–2023 Report and the SADA – Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2024 Report are available by clicking the below images.
2022-2023 Report
2024 Report
Ends
Notes for Editors
- Suicide reporting guidelines for journalists: Samaritans Media Guidelines
- Journalists reporting on this publication are advised to include information on relevant helplines:
- Text About It: Text HELLO to 50808
- Samaritans: Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
- Childline: 1800 66 66 66
- aware.ie, www.yourmentalhealth.ie, www.spunout.ie
- The Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) project was established in 2016 in partnership with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation.
- The project supports the implementation of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy.
- The Irish Prison Service continues to strengthen suicide and self-harm prevention through:
- enhanced committal health assessments to support early identification of risk
- improved information‑sharing between healthcare, psychology, and operational staff
- targeted supports for individuals who engage in repeated self-harm
- progress on a new Dual Diagnosis Model of Care to better support people with co‑occurring mental‑health and addiction needs
- expansion of trauma‑informed practice and staff training across the prison estate
- multi‑disciplinary case management for individuals at heightened risk
- continued partnership with the Samaritans, including the Listener Scheme
- collaboration with the HSE and community services to strengthen continuity of care at committal and post‑release
