News / HMP Bristol
Bristol prison safety concerns amid rise in violent attacks on staff
Inspectors have raised serious worries about Bristol Prison, as figures showed violent attacks against staff had rocketed.
Rising levels of assaults led to the all-male lock-up in Horfield getting the lowest possible rating of ‘performance is of serious concern’ for the second year running. Nearby Eastwood Park also came in for heavy criticism, while Leyhill and Ashfield were rated ‘exceptional’.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) insisted plans were in place to improve Bristol and Eastwood Park, while prisons minister Rory Stewart said that across the UK, 3,000 new prison officers would be starting this summer.
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Out of the 118 lock-ups in the UK, Bristol Prison – or HMP Bristol – was one of just 15 to get the lowest inspection grade.
A newly released MoJ report shows there were 298 prisoner-on-prisoner attacks in 2017, around four times the number recorded in 2012.
There were also 113 assaults on staff in 2017, compared to 17 in 2012.
Violence inside the prison walls has soared according to figures.
An MoJ spokeswoman said measures were being put in place to improve the prison, including:
- Weekly safety meetings.
- Closer working with police to prosecute inmates who attack staff.
- ‘Challenge, support and intervention’ plans for the most violent offenders.
- CCTV installed on wings and body worn cameras issued to staff.
- Extra training so staff can de-escalate dangerous situations.
Meanwhile Eastwood Park was rated ‘of concern’ by inspectors – one grade higher than Bristol HMP.
The lock-up near Thornbury saw 73 assaults on staff in 2017, compared to just six in 2012.
There were 121 prisoner-on-prisoner attacks last year, up from just six in 2012.
Plans in place for the female-only prison include weekly safety meetings, more work to refer assaults to police and the issuing of body worn cameras to all staff, the MoJ said.
The MoJ said outcomes were not directly comparable with previous years due to a change in the framework. Issues with data reporting have meant that the extent of assault and self-harm in institutions may not historically have been fully recorded.
Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the figures were concerning.
She said: “It is shameful that so many prisons are performing so poorly, with violence and self-injury again rising to new highs.
“Given we now know that prisons have been under-reporting assaults and self-injury incidents, the fear must be that some are faring even worse than the ratings indicate.
“On the horizon, however, we should see improvements in the next few years if the number of people in prison keeps falling.
“Further steps to reduce the prison population would save lives, protect staff and prevent more people being swept into deeper currents of crime, violence and despair.”
Prisons minister Rory Stewart said: “We need to get the basics right in prison, which is why we recently announced an additional investment of £30m to ensure they are safe, secure and decent.
“Our recruitment drive is vital to ensuring prisons can be places where offenders can be rehabilitated. We are well ahead of schedule, with 90 per cent of our new 3,111 prison officers due to be on landings this summer.”
Read more: ‘Deluge of drugs fuelling violence, debt and self-harm in Bristol prison’
Jack Pitts is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.
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