Union calls for urgent action on prison violence

The POA prison officers’ union is calling for urgent action by the prison and probation services and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to reduce soaring levels of violence in prisons in England and Wales.

The latest MoJ statistics show that in the year to September 2024, assaults on prisoners were up 14% from the previous year. Meanwhile assaults on staff increased by 19% and the number of serious assaults on staff rose by 22%.

POA national chair Mark Fairhurst demanded “urgent and sustained action to protect our members and the prisoners they look after”.

The union also highlighted a report into conditions at HMP Durham, where some prisoners are having to spend up to 22 hours a day in their cells.

A lack of space in prison and overcrowding is fuelling increased levels of drug use and violence, said the POA.

Inspectors also raised concerns about the health and safety screening of new arrivals and the lack of secure mental health beds in the community for released prisoners.