Attacks on UK prison guards lead to a £50m taxpayer bill. Overcrowding and staff shortages worsen the situation.
A legal firm found the costs using a request. Last year, Labour launched an ‘early release scheme.’ Prisons in England and Wales used it as the prison population reached an all-time high. Around 1,700 convicts left early on September 10, serving only 40% of their sentences.
Researchers say staff increases did not match population growth, adding pressure to prison officers daily. Officers struggle with more prisoner assaults. Claim costs totaled £49.5 million in five years, with the highest amount in 2021/22: £17.6 million.
The prison population rose for thirty years, growing from 43,000 in 1994 to over 88,000 in 2024. Uniformed officer numbers stayed almost the same, impacting safety. There were 114 staff assaults per 1,000 prisoners in 2023/24.
Prisoner assaults on staff happen eight times daily. HM Prison and Probation Service shared data, revealing the prisons with high claim costs. HMP Wormwood Scrubs in London had the highest costs at £2.6 million, while Feltham, Downview, Highdown, and Leeds had over £2 million too.
Safe prison conditions and staff support could help reduce claims and save money. Peter Dawson said the system fails in many ways. He believes fixing demand is better than increasing supply, referencing the HM Prison and Probation Service data collection methods.
The data shows 1,628 claims filed in five years, received by prisons across the UK. Of these, 592 claims got settled. Assaults were the most common claim at 637. Slips, trips, and falls came next, followed by control and restraint claims.
Lucy Parker said prison staff work in tough conditions and injured staff can seek compensation if negligence occurs, including assaults or unsafe conditions. Parker says staff should know their legal rights and advises seeking professional legal advice.