New data from the Ministry of Justice shows that the number of assaults on prison staff has risen again over the last year.
There were 10,281 assaults on staff in the 12 months to June 2024, a 30% increase from the previous 12 months, and a new peak. In the latest quarter the number of assaults on staff increased by 2% to 2,655 incidents. The rate of serious assaults on staff increased by 24% to 11 per 1,000 prisoners (974 incidents) in the 12 months to June 2024.
Gavin Miller, Community’s National Officer for the Justice Sector, said:
“These shocking figures speak for themselves: the epidemic of violence against justice sector workers is not just ongoing but worsening, with a substantial rise in the number of assaults on staff compared to just a year ago. What these statistics do not show is that behind every single assault is an individual justice worker who will have been physically and mentally impacted by what they have been through. No one should have to put up with being attacked just for doing their job.
“Earlier this year when we launched our Beyond Bars report we warned that the situation in our prisons would continue to deteriorate without meaningful action from government, and that remains the case. We need tougher responses to assaults on justice workers and urgent action to tackle chronic prison overcrowding and the recruitment and retention crisis in the justice and custodial workforce. Without wholesale changes, our prisons will remain unsafe.”
Join the union for prison workers today
Community is proud to fight for prison officers across the UK. Whether you work in a private prison, youth offender institutions or across the wider justice, immigration and custodial sector, we’re fighting for you, and we want you to join us.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
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