The rise in violence within the UK prison system is largely attributed to overcrowding, with facilities operating at 99.3% capacity and only 551 available spaces in male prisons.

Prison officers are facing an alarming average of 30 attacks daily, culminating in a total of 10,496 assaults reported in the year leading up to September 2024, a significant increase from 8,516 the previous year.

Serious assaults on prison officers have surged from 765 to 972 during the same period, underscoring the escalating violence in these institutions.

In addition to assaults on staff, the Ministry of Justice reported 19,721 attacks among prisoners themselves, highlighting the pervasive nature of violence in prisons.

Recent incidents have drawn attention to this crisis, including a brutal attack at HMP Frankland in Co Durham, where Hashem Abedi, linked to the Manchester Arena bombing, injured three prison guards using a knife and hot cooking oil.

Steve Gillan, representing the Prison Officers Association, emphasized that these statistics reveal the alarming reality of violence in prisons, calling for urgent action to protect both staff and inmates.

Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the POA, urged prison leaders to engage with frontline staff to effectively address these pressing safety concerns.

In response to the escalating violence, the Ministry of Justice acknowledged the issue, stating that there are too many attacks on staff and committing to ensuring their safety through investments in maintenance and security.