Jo Stevens MP, Labour’s Shadow Prisons Minister, responding to the Howard League for Penal Reform’s analysis on prison officer numbers, published today said:

“Prisons in England and Wales are in a downward spiral with staff numbers plummeting whilst violence, drug use and self-harm soar. These figures demonstrate that the MOJ’s current recruitment drive is failing. When prison officers cannot have any confidence that they will be safe at work, it’s little wonder the job is not proving attractive to potential recruits.

“Current levels of violence, suicide, self-harm and reoffending rates together with lack of prison staff safety are a direct consequence of the Tories policy of drastically reducing prison officer numbers. Until we tackle reoffending, ease the pressure on the prison population and reduce violence in our jails, the Government will continue to struggle to attract new recruits.“