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Prisoner assaults against staff at record high Prisoners released by mistake at record high
(35 minutes later)
The number of assaults in prisons in England and Wales has risen to a record high, official figures have shown. A record 71 prisoners were released from jails in England and Wales last year by mistake, figures have shown.
There were 26,643 assaults in the year to March 2017, a 20% rise from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) also showed a rise in violence with 26,643 assaults in the year to March 2017 - 20% more than the previous year.
Of these, a record 7,159 were attacks on staff - equivalent to 20 every day.Of these, a record 7,159 were attacks on staff - equivalent to 20 every day.
Justice Secretary David Lidington said frontline staff were critical to achieving safety and the number of prison officers recruited was rising.Justice Secretary David Lidington said frontline staff were critical to achieving safety and the number of prison officers recruited was rising.
The annual data also revealed that 71 prisoners were released in error in 2016-17 - the highest number in any year since current records began in 2006-7. There were 15 escapes from prisons in 2016-17 - up by two on the year before - and the number of prisoners released by mistake rose by seven to 71 - the highest number in any year since current records began in 2006-7.
Of those released in error, 58 occurred from prison establishments while 13 were during escort or at courts.
Those released by mistake are not considered to be unlawfully at large, according to the MoJ report setting out the figures.
It said: "They are not culpable and may be unaware that they have not completed their sentence or have outstanding warrants.
"Depending on the circumstances of the case, they may not be actively pursued for return to custody."
The figures show there were 97 self-inflicted deaths in the year to June 2017 - down 10 on the year before.The figures show there were 97 self-inflicted deaths in the year to June 2017 - down 10 on the year before.
'Serious concern'
Overall, the performance of prisons appears to have worsened, with the MoJ naming 10 in England and Wales as causing "serious concern".Overall, the performance of prisons appears to have worsened, with the MoJ naming 10 in England and Wales as causing "serious concern".
The 10 jails are Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Brixton, Guys Marsh, Hindley, Liverpool, Pentonville, Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs.The 10 jails are Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Brixton, Guys Marsh, Hindley, Liverpool, Pentonville, Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs.
Last year six prisons were assessed as giving serious concern.Last year six prisons were assessed as giving serious concern.
There were 15 escapes from prisons in 2016-17 - up by two on the year before - and the number of prisoners released by mistake rose by seven to 71. A further 40 prisons have been ranked as causing concern, while nine have been graded exceptional.
There was a 65% increase in "temporary release failures" - to 267 - where an inmate who has been let out for the day or a weekend fails to adhere to the conditions of their release, such as returning on time or not going to certain areas. 'Nowhere near safe'
The justice secretary said: "These figures reinforce how crucial it is that we make progress as quickly as possible.The justice secretary said: "These figures reinforce how crucial it is that we make progress as quickly as possible.
"I have seen first-hand the challenges our dedicated and hardworking prison staff face."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. ""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. "
But Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said the issues raised require more than the promise of new staff.
He said: "These numbers confirm what the chief inspector of prisons has described in graphic detail - that our prison system is nowhere near being safe for those who live and work within it."
He added: "In the short term, the provision of much cheaper and easier access to a legitimate phone system would make a day to day difference - and provide some consolation to the families of prisoners wondering if their loved ones are safe inside."