‘Basic lack of decency’ driving self-harm in women’s prisons, report says

The report by Charlie Taylor, HM chief inspector of prisons, found 84% of women felt unable to cope at some point in jail. Photograph: David Levene/the Guardian

Women in prison are resorting to self-harm because of “astonishing gaps” in basic services including strict time limits when contacting their children and bans from using washing machines for dirty underwear, according to a watchdog’s report.

A survey of women in prisons in England found that “the frustrations of day-to-day life” and a “lack of basic care” were driving many to hurt themselves.