Community is calling on the government and employers to do more to protect justice and custodial staff, following publication of the latest statistics on assaults in prisons.
These reveal that there were 7,229 assaults on staff in the 12 months to December 2022, down 4% from the 12 months to December 2021.
In the latest quarter (to December 2022) the number of assaults on staff decreased by 4% to 1,830 incidents.
However, there was a 2% increase in serious assaults on staff to 709 in the 12 months to December 2022.
Adrian Axtell, Community’s National Officer for the Justice and Custodial Sector, said:
“Community is campaigning for greater protection for justice and custodial staff, so we welcome the fall in the overall number of assaults.
“However, incidents remain unacceptably high, and the increase in serious assaults is concerning.
“No one should live in fear that they might be assaulted while at work. Unfortunately, those who work in the justice and custodial sector are all too often faced with that reality.
“We continue to call on the government and employers to do more to both protect staff, and to support those who have been assaulted in the line of duty.”
Further information
The statistics are available here: Safety in Custody Statistics Bulletin, England and Wales, Deaths in prison custody to December 2016, Assaults and Self-Harm to September 2016 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Keep us safe
Community is the union for the justice and custodial sector, representing thousands of members whose work is vital to the UK justice system, and to public safety.
Community is campaigning to stamp out assaults in the justice and custodial sector.
Not a member? Join today!
We’re proud to secure better pay and conditions for our members. Click here to find out more about our member-exclusive benefits and join today.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2026
Thank you. We have received your query
We have received your query and a member of our Service Centre Department will be in touch to discuss further with you.
Due to service demands it is not always possible for our advisors to reply to your query immediately. We aim to respond within 48 hours of receipt.
If your employer has invited you to a formal meeting (disciplinary, grievance or appeal) and you are seeking representation, if you have not already done so via this form, please provide us with all relevant supporting information including any notes/minutes from any investigation process and your email/letter of invitation, which should include full details of when and where the meeting is due to take place.
Please note that representation is not provided for investigation meetings.
If you have any further queries, please contact our Service Centre Department on 0800 389 6332 or at servicecentre@community-tu.org.
Not a member?
Let’s get to know each other.
"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields