MoJ forks out more than £20 million in prisoner injury claims over five years

Millions have been spent settling prisoner injury claims across UK prisons in the last five years including for injuries caused by bunk beds, food contamination, animal bites and asbestos. 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has paid out more than £20 million in compensation to prisoners across the UK over the past five years, an investigation has revealed.

New data obtained by Legal Expert, has revealed that between 2020 and 2024, the MoJ – which is funded by the taxpayer – has spent a total of £20,122,192.35 settling injury claims made by inmates across His Majesty’s Prisons.

Claims include injuries caused by other prisoners as well as injuries to inmates caused by members of staff.

Nearly £10m of the overall sum was for personal injury compensation claims which included, a staggering £4.5m for injuries caused by bunk beds.

A further £2.7m was paid out for slips, trips and falls as well as £446K for asbestos-related injuries.

With Britain’s overcrowded prisons hitting record levels last year, concerns over the safety of both staff and inmates have grown.

The latest published prison population statistics show there are only just over 1,000 spaces left in men’s prisons, prompting former justice secretary David Gauke to release his Independent Sentencing Review (ISR) earlier than expected.

In the interim report, Mr Gauke says he is confronting ‘the consequences of decades of haphazard policy-making and underinvestment in the criminal justice system – bringing it to the brink of collapse.’

Mr Gauke says he is confronting ‘the consequence of decades of haphazard policy-making and underinvestment in the criminal justice system – bringing it to the brink of collapse.’

In September, the government’s SDS40 (standard determinate sentencing) scheme saw prisoners released just 40 per cent of the way through their sentence.

In the time frame, for every 100 people released from prison, 67 were recalled. Although Mr Gauke’s report does acknowledge that ‘factors including the introduction of a mandatory supervision period for shorter sentences, and heightened probation officer risk aversion… have contributed to this increase.’

But while the prison system undergoes review and reform, costs continue to be incurred – including compensation payouts to prisoners for injury claims.

Out of 111 UK prisons with prisoner injury claims, HMP Chelmsford in Essex recorded the highest compensation payouts, totalling £5,573,343.98 between 2022 and 2024.

The second-highest amount was logged at HMP Leicester with £3,210,729.80 doled out in the last five years followed by HMP Brixton with £639,091.75.

Legal Expert solicitor Lucy Parker said: “Prisoners, like anyone else, have a right to their safety while incarcerated. We have seen many different cases over the years of prisoners suffering injuries during their incarceration, from accidents in workshops and kitchens to incidents with staff.

“When they are injured due to negligence, whether it’s at the hands of an officer, a slip and fall, or inadequate safety measures, they have the right to seek compensation and to get legal advice on their case.”

Legal Expert offers support to prison staff who have suffered an injury at work and free advice on whether they can claim compensation.

They operate a 24-hour helpline and claim online form, which you can access on their website.

Image provided by anurakpong via Canva

Francesca Kaye