theguardian.com
Prison Staff Assaults: Investigations Dropped
A report reveals that a significant number of assault investigations against prison staff are dropped, highlighting safety concerns and the lack of support for victims.
English
United Kingdom
Human Rights ViolationsLabour MarketUkInvestigationViolenceSafetyAssaultPrison
Ministry Of Justice (Moj)Prison Officers' AssociationWinchester University
Ian CarsonSarah NixonStephanieHannahGraham
- What factors have contributed to the increase in assaults on prison staff?
- Budget cuts, increased inmate numbers, longer sentences, and plummeting staffing levels since 2010 have contributed to the rise in assaults against prison staff.
- What is the Ministry of Justice's response to the concerns raised about assaults on prison staff?
- Despite the MoJ's claim that all assaults are taken seriously, officers feel their reports are often dismissed, leading to further victimization and a sense of lack of protection.
- What percentage of investigations into assaults against prison staff are dropped before completion?
- More than a third of investigations into assaults on prison staff are dropped before completion, with officers feeling management doesn't take abuse seriously.
- How do prison officers feel about the handling of assault reports, and what are their safety concerns?
- Officers report feeling unsafe due to understaffing and a lack of support; some reported being reprimanded for reporting assaults, while others had their safety concerns ignored after reporting incidents.
- How have sexual assaults against prison officers changed since 2005, and what data is lacking regarding these assaults?
- Sexual assaults against officers have increased by 427% since 2005; the Ministry of Justice doesn't track how many cases go through disciplinary processes or the conviction rate.