Prison attacks ‘at record levels’

TWENTY attacks on prison staff are recorded every day as the torrent of violence sweeping through jails in Wales and England continues to surge.

Official figures reveal assaults and self-harm behind bars have climbed again to reach new record levels.

In the year to June the total number of assaults continued to increase, reaching a record high of 27,193 incidents.

Of these 7,437 were assaults on staff – a rise of a quarter compared with the previous year.

This tally includes 798 incidents classed as “serious” – such as those which require medical treatment or result in fractures, burns, or extensive bruising.