More than 2,500 attacks on prison staff recorded over last decade, figures show

The Scottish Government has been urged to take action after statistics showed there were more than 250 assaults on prison staff on average each year over the last decade.

A freedom of information (FOI) request by the Scottish Conservatives showed there had been 2,562 prisoner-on-staff attacks in the last 10 years.

Liam Kerr, the party’s justice spokesman at Holyrood, said the figures showed ministers have “let violence against prison staff spiral out of control”.

He called for a “different approach” including a “new plan to tackle prison violence” and targeted resources to give staff the extra support they need.

Mr Kerr said that without change, experienced staff may choose to quit, and prisons would be left even further under-resourced.

He said: “The SNP have let violence against prison staff spiral out of control.

“Cuts from the SNP mean hardworking prison officers have been left at the mercy of violence and threats from inmates.

“SNP ministers need to take a different approach which should include a new plan to tackle prison violence.

“Resources should be clearly targeted so that staff get the extra support they desperately need.

“Otherwise, there is a real risk that many more experienced staff may choose to leave the prison service and leave them even more overstretched.

“Instead of short-changing our justice system, the SNP must finally prioritise the safety of our prison staff.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “Any attacks on prison staff or other prisoners is completely unacceptable and all incidents involving alleged criminality are reported to Police Scotland.

“Everyone should be able to live and work safely in prisons.

“We are investing a total of £881.1 million in our prisons to support frontline staff and progress improvements in the prison estate in 2025-2026.

“This will help to meet costs linked to the rising prison population and enable the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to continue to deliver a safe and secure prison system.”

Published: 28/12/2024 by Radio NewsHub