Prisons in England and Wales have seen a sharp rise in violence, with an average of 74 assaults occurring daily in 2023, highlighting the severe strain on the correctional system.
Newly released figures indicate 26,912 assault incidents across the prison estate last year, a 28% increase from 21,015 assaults in 2022.
Of these, 3,205 were classified as serious, equating to an average of eight severe assaults per day. Alarmingly, prison staff bore the brunt of nearly 10,000 of these attacks, 825 of which were deemed serious.
Most Violent Prisons Identified
House of Commons Library research, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, revealed that HMP Wandsworth emerged as the most violent prison, recording 1,044 assaults, over half of which (571) targeted staff.
This facility, already infamous for high-profile incidents such as the escape of ex-soldier Daniel Khalife and scandals involving former prison staff, underscored the growing disorder in the prison system.
HMP Berwyn in Wales followed with 783 assaults, while Thameside ranked third with 667.
System Under Strain
The figures coincide with broader challenges faced by prisons, including staff shortages and overcrowding.
Reports have shown a sharp decline in the number of officers trained for riot control, known as Tornado squads, dropping by a third, and an exodus of experienced staff.
Experts warn these issues have made prisons more vulnerable to violence and gang dominance.
Government Response and Political Pressure
Labour’s early release scheme has freed thousands of inmates to alleviate overcrowding and restore stability. However, critics argue that the system remains precariously close to collapse, with prisons operating at 99% capacity for months.
Prisons minister James Timpson warned the system is “teetering on the edge of disaster,” urging immediate action.
The Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent recruitment and retention plan for prison officers and measures to reduce the criminal courts backlog, which has contributed to a surge in inmates on remand.
Ministry of Justice Statement
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson defended the government’s emergency early release initiative, stating it excluded serious offenders and imposed strict licence conditions on those released.
The spokesperson emphasised the need for long-term solutions, including new prison construction and a sentencing review, to prevent future crises.
This latest revelation underscores the mounting challenges within the prison estate, prompting calls for decisive action to address violence, staff shortages, and overcrowding.
