But NHS figures show 197 cases were brought by inmates in the last five years where the NHS was forced to pay compensation for negligent treatment. Almost half related to prisoners who sued the NHS saying they suffered from unnecessary pain, often caused by a delay in diagnosis or a failure to prescribe the correct treatment.
Other cases included claims for physiological damage, eye problems and misdiagnosed fractures.
Over the last five years, £3.1million has been paid to inmates for NHS negligence. Another £4.4million went in fees to lawyers tasked with bringing and defending the claims.
It means the average payout to a prisoner is around £15,000, with the lawyers receiving slightly more.