Burgon responds to latest prison violence statistics

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the latest prison violence statistics said: 

"Tory cuts have unleashed an unprecedented cycle of violence in our prisons. These appalling figures show you cannot trust the Tories to deal with the prisons crisis.

"To help make our prisons safe, Labour is committed to reversing the Tory staffing cuts and restoring prison officer numbers to 2010 levels. 

"Today's shocking figures show why the Tories must urgently commit to doing the same."

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• There were 10,424 assaults on staff in the 12 months to June 2019, up 10% from the previous 12 months, and a record high figure.
• There were 34,112 assault incidents in the 12 months to June 2019, up 5% from the 12 months to June 2018.
• Self-harm incidents reached a record high of 60,594 incidents in the 12 months to June 2019, up 22% from the previous 12 months.
• Figures available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/843117/safety-in-custody-q2-2019.pdf and tables here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-june-2019