More than one-third of investigations into assaults against UK prison staff are dropped before completion, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data. Speaking with The Observer, prison officers from various institutions expressed frustration, saying management often dismisses abuse claims, telling staff to “grow up” and “deal with it.”
Since the start of last year, 36% of investigations into attacks on prison staff have not been fully pursued. Many officers believe there is “no point” in initiating disciplinary actions, as their cases are frequently dismissed. When investigations are halted mid-process, prisoners reportedly feel emboldened to continue their abuse, worsening conflicts with staff members.
Prison officers utilize an internal adjudication system to report assaults. Ian Carson, a former prison officer and representative for the Prison Officers’ Association, noted that prison managers are increasingly hesitant to discipline inmates due to a large backlog of cases. “It’s easier for them to dismiss assaults and cite ‘natural justice’ as justification because of delays,” he explained. This, Carson added, can give the misleading appearance of reduced prison violence.
The situation in UK prisons has deteriorated due to budget cuts since 2010, increased inmate populations, longer sentences, and reduced staffing levels. A recent criminal justice joint inspectorates report found that annual staff turnover among prison officers has reached 13.4%. Concurrently, assaults on prison staff have nearly tripled since 2005.
Sarah Nixon, now part of Winchester University’s department of policing, criminology, and forensics, reflected on the changes she has witnessed. “When I worked as a prison officer from 2003 to 2009, assaults were rare. Today, it feels unsafe due to staff shortages,” she said.
One prison officer, Stephanie*, was sexually assaulted while delivering medication to an inmate. Despite the severity of the incident, she was never informed about the outcome of the disciplinary process, nor was her case referred to the police as mandated by government policy. The MoJ requires that “all sexual offences must be referred to the police” and that “staff-victims” should be updated on case outcomes promptly. The same inmate allegedly continued to target female staff until another officer reported him to the police, leading to a criminal investigation.
Since 2005, reports of sexual assaults on prison staff by inmates have surged by 427%. However, the MoJ does not track how often such reports lead to disciplinary action or prisoner convictions. In cases where prosecution does not occur, inmates can still face disciplinary charges for sexual offences against staff.
Hannah*, another officer, endured months of sexual harassment while working in a wing for sex offenders. Despite capturing one incident on camera and securing witness testimony, her report was dismissed by her manager, who deemed the issue “not serious enough.” “I felt humiliated,” Hannah said. “The prisoner’s actions were clearly against the rules, yet I was made to feel weak for speaking up.”
Following her report, the prisoner filed a counter-complaint accusing Hannah of racism, which was subsequently investigated. “It was absurd,” she remarked. The inmate later mocked her, asserting that the governor supported him. Though his allegations were dismissed, the ordeal left Hannah feeling frustrated and vulnerable, as if “his word was better than mine.”
The MoJ does not collect specific data on why investigations into assaults on prison staff are dropped. Governors can halt cases for various reasons, such as when a prisoner is released without a further risk assessment. Additionally, cases referred to the police may be classified as “not proceeded with” if the Crown Prosecution Service decides to prosecute.
Several prison officers, including Stephanie, reported feeling disregarded during and after disciplinary processes. Following her assault, Stephanie asked to be reassigned away from the inmate but was told to “deal with it.” “It was infuriating,” she said. “If I were a doctor or nurse, this wouldn’t happen.”
At another prison, officer Graham* was struck by a prisoner, causing a jaw injury. Though the inmate was found guilty and segregated, Graham was later instructed to retrieve him alone. “The governor, who knew about the assault, acted surprised when I reminded her,” Graham recounted. Despite his concerns, no changes were made to his orders.
A MoJ spokesperson responded: “This government inherited a prison system plagued by violence and overcrowding and is committed to reforming it to protect staff and reduce crime. All assaults on staff are treated with the utmost seriousness, handled through adjudication or reported to the police to ensure perpetrators face justice.”
*Names have been changed
