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

Inspectorate points to challenges including ban on using washing machines for knickers and difficulties with family contact

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.