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UK prisons released 71 inmates in error over the last year in England and Wales UK prisons released 71 inmates in error over the last year in England and Wales
(35 minutes later)
Seventy-one prisoners were released in error in 2016/17 in England and Wales - the highest number in any year since current records started in 2006/7, official figures show.  More than 70 prisoners were released in error over the past year as assaults and self-harm inside jails hit a record high, according to concerning new statistics.
  Statistics released for the 2016/17 financial year by the Ministry of Justice showed high levels of violence and suicide amid warnings over deteriorating safety in Britain’s jails.
More follows… David Lidington, the Justice Secretary, said improving safety was his “top priority” after just a month in the post.
“These figures reinforce how crucial it is that we make progress as quickly as possible,” he added.
“As the Chief Inspector of Prisons rightly observed in his annual report last week, we cannot achieve successful reform and rehabilitation unless our prisons are safe and secure – and this is something I am committed to achieving.
“I have seen first-hand the challenges our dedicated and hardworking prison staff face. Boosting the frontline is critical to achieving safety and the number of prison officers we are recruiting is rising, with the number of new prison officers joining the service at its highest level since 2010. ”
The figures for England and Wales show 71 prisoners were released in released in error in the year, the highest since records started in 2006.
Assaults increased to a new high of 26,643 incidents in the year to March 2017, mostly between prisoners but including a record 7,159 attacks on prison staff. 
There were 316 deaths in prison custody in the 12 months to June, down from 322 in the previous year, including two murders.
There were 97 suicides, including six women – a small decrease of 10 from the previous year – but self-harm reached a new record high of 40,414 incidents in the year to March, up by more than 5,700.