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