Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting on National Offender Management Service Workforce Statistics Bulletin, said:

“The Tories’ much hyped recruitment drive is already looking in trouble. Last month the Justice Secretary promised 400 extra staff in prisons – but even that fails to make up for the fall in front line prison officers over the past year.

“Even ministers now acknowledge a staffing crisis has developed on their watch, but instead of tackling it they’ve let the situation deteriorate further.

“Over 6,000 frontline officers have been lost under the Tories, and we’ve seen the dangerous consequences of falling prison officer numbers recently at Pentonville, Bedford and Lewes - what we need is urgent action to improve recruitment and retention of frontline staff.”