Assaults on prison staff at record high, figures show
Statistics released days after chief inspector of prisons warned many jails were 'unacceptably violent and dangerous places'
ASSAULTS on prison staff have rocketed by 40 per cent to the highest levels on record, new figures show.
A staggering 15 attacks now take place every day with 5,423 attacks recorded on jail workers last year.
It came as the number of inmates released by mistake has reached the highest level for six years.
At least 65 prisoners were released by mistake in 2015/16.
The overall assault count surged by almost a third to more than 22,000, which included 646 serious incidents.
There were also 105 apparent suicides - up from 82 in the previous 12 months.
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The figures come days after chief inspector of prisons Peter Clarke warned too many prisons were “unacceptably violent and dangerous places”.
Andrew Neilson, of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Prisons are not only becoming more dangerous, they are becoming more dangerous more quickly.
“That more prisons have been awarded the worst-possible performance rating provides further indication of how the system is failing after years of rising numbers, chronic overcrowding and deep staff cuts.”
Justice Secretary Liz Truss admitted the level of violence in prisons was “unacceptable”.
She said: “There are a number of factors, including the availability of psychoactive substances in prisons, which must be tackled.
“It will take time to address these long-standing problems. I am determined to make sure our prisons are safe and places of rehabilitation.”
Last night a Prison Service spokeswoman described the accidental releases as “extremely rare” and insisted the” vast majority” are returned to custody very quickly.