Conclusion 11

We asked HMPPS why it tolerated such unacceptable levels of prisoner assaults on staff and what it was doing to reduce levels of assaults on staff and self-inflicted deaths. HMPPS asserted that it was very concerned by the number of assaults on staff and was working to reduce this through more staff, the introduction of key workers to improve relations between prisoners and staff, the offender management programme and other activities. It told us that in the 12 months to March 2020 the number of prisoner assaults on staff had fallen 4%, although we note this figure is nonetheless a substantial increase since 2015. HMPPS similarly told us that it was very worried by the extent of self-harm within prisons. It explained it was working to help prisoners with their mental health and to feel safe and secure in prison, including new procedures and processes for people who were of concern.23 17 Q 31, C&AG’s report paras 8, 1.4, 1.12 18 Qq 34–37, C&AG’s report paras 8, 1.13–1.14 19 Qq 31–33 20 HM Prison & Probation Service, Understanding prison violence: A rapid evidence assessment, analytical summary, 2018, C&AG’s report, para 1.4 21 Qq 47, 52, C&AG’s report, para 1.4 22 IPE0002 - Improving the prison estate, Professor Dominique Moran, 1 July 2020 23 Q 47–50, 52 12 Improving the prison estate Facilities management in the prison estate