Union calls for ‘urgent action’ on violence against custodial care workforce
A summit is to be held as violence against staff in prisons, immigration centres and prisoner escort services hits “breaking point”.
The Community union said its members in the prison sector, secure immigration centres, young offender institutions, secure training centres, courts and prisoner escorting and electronic monitoring services have seen working conditions deteriorate and their safety put at risk.
Assaults on prison staff increased by over a third last year with a staff member being seriously assaulted almost twice every day, said the union.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Adrian Axtell, Community’s national officer for the justice sector, said: “Our members have spoken passionately about their experience on the front line of this sector and the need for urgent action.
“Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, recently announced an extra £10 million for prison safety, but this money will not go to help the thousands of our members who work in private sector run prisons, immigration centres and prisoner-handling services.
“The justice sector is in crisis, and without urgent action from government and service providers to improve safety, we risk serious consequences for staff and prisoners alike.”
The Ministry of Justice said the safety of those in prisons was a top priority.
A spokeswoman said: “Dedicated prison staff work in an extremely challenging environment in which, on a daily basis, they face unique circumstances unlike most others in the public sector.
“We have measures in place to tackle violence but it is clear that more needs to done. That is why we are investing £1.3 billion to transform the prison estate over the next five years to better support rehabilitation and tackle bullying, violence and drugs. Additionally we have recently announced a further £10 million to help governors respond to safety issues.”
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