Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Prison Officers

Tuesday 26 March 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Elmore raised concerns about the trend of increasing serious offences against prison officers, noting 750 assaults deemed serious and 23 recorded daily.
  • The Minister stated that all assaults on prison staff are unacceptable and that steps have been taken to address the issue, including a 100 million security investment programme.
  • The Minister mentioned that assaults on prison staff in September 2023 were 10% lower than expected, indicating some progress in addressing the problem.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from concerns about rising assaults on prison staff and the need for effective solutions to ensure their safety.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of trends in the level of violence against prison officers? I am concerned about the trend of increasing serious offences against prison officers, with 750 assaults deemed serious and 23 recorded daily. Overcrowding exacerbates this issue, and the number of prison officers is 10% lower than in 2010.

Answer from Edward Argar

All assaults on prison staff are unacceptable. Steps have been taken including PAVA spray rollout, body-worn video cameras, doubling the penalty for assault, a £100 million security investment programme to reduce illicit items fuelling violence. Assaults on staff in September 2023 were 10% lower than in September 2019 but remain high. Prison officer numbers are up by 1,500 and retention rates are improving.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about overcrowding and the need for more prison officers to staff new prisons was not directly addressed with a concrete plan or commitment.

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Q2 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

The question follows concerns about the high level of assaults on prison staff and low numbers of prison officers, exacerbated by overcrowding.

Question

Serious offences against prison officers are up 10% from last year. Prison Officers Association and Community union report 750 serious assaults per year with 23 daily attacks recorded across England and Wales. Overcrowding is a major concern; the level of prison officers is 10% lower than in 2010. Prison officers are scared for their lives to work on the estate. Opening new prisons without staff will not resolve this.

Answer from Edward Argar

No one should fear assault at work, including dedicated prison officers. Steps include £100 million security measures against illicit drugs and mobile phones, PAVA spray deployment, and a 1,500 increase in prison officer numbers with improving retention rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about overcrowding and staff shortages was not directly addressed with concrete solutions or timelines.

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