Tories’ complacent attitude to relations with prison staff suggests they are still not serious about resolving the crisis - Burgon

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting on reports that the Government will take legal action over “unlawful” industrial action by prison staff, said:

“The Tories’ complacent attitude to relations with prison staff suggests they are still not serious about resolving the crisis they have created in our prisons.

“Violence is at record levels and more people are leaving the service than joining.

“After having their last pay offer rejected, ministers have followed it up with one which attempts to divides prison staff across the country and is condemned by governors as well as by frontline officers.

“To turn around this mess, we need a Justice Secretary who is serious about working with prison officers and we need a Prisons Bill which will deliver serious reform. Sadly, at the moment we have neither.”