Prison guards assaulted at work have received more than £12million in compensation over the last five years.
Yet the 239 claims won by English and Welsh prison staff between 2017 and 2022 reveal just a fraction of the true problem, with almost 1,000 officers hospitalised in 2021 alone.
Mick Pimblett, of the Prison Officers Association union, said: “These figures are no surprise – it’s the most dangerous workplace in Western Europe.
“Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service exacerbate the situation bynot protecting our members’ health and safety. From unsafe staffing levels, exposure to psychoactive substances, a lack of first aiders and inadequate risk assessments, HMPPS are complicit in the injuries our members sustain.”
Mr Pimblett also claimed the number of new recruits to the service “doesn’t come near the number who are leaving”.
This month Fabio Serrano, 22 – serving life for manslaughter – was convicted of battering a guard at Full Sutton prison, near York.
And an inmate at HMP Onley, near Rugby, Warks, was last year given life after slashing a prison officer across the neck with a makeshift blade.
Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act also revealed £3.55million was paid to 346 prisoners attacked by other inmates.
A prison service spokesman said: “We successfully defend two-thirds of litigation claims and when prisoners are awarded compensation, we seek to make sure they pay their victims back first. We never tolerate assaults on staff and seek strong punishment."
