The Daily Telegraph

Prisons boss forced to stand down over rising violence

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The boss of the prison and probation service has been asked to stand down by ministers amid concerns about rising violence in jails.

Michael Spurr’s departure was announced yesterday as the Ministry of Justice said a “change of direction” was needed for the service, which is under growing pressure after riots and strikes by inmates and staff.

He will leave the role in March after nine years in charge of the prison estate and 35 years working in the prison service.

His departure comes as pressure mounts on the Justice Secretary, David Gauke, to curb violent behaviour and drug problems behind bars.

Government sources said criticism of Mr Spurr had grown in recent months and earlier this year a report into the state of prisons prompted warnings that Mr Spurr was “hanging on by a thread”.

They added that the change could signal a move to look again at how the prison estate works.

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