Recent reports reveal that assaults on staff at Bullingdon Prison are costing thousands, raising serious safety concerns.
Oxford: Bullingdon Prison has been in the spotlight lately. It’s where many male offenders from Swindon and Wiltshire end up serving their time. This place can hold over 1,100 inmates, which is a lot more than the smaller Erlestoke Prison nearby.
Recent data shows that since 2021, staff at Bullingdon have filed injury claims totaling nearly £580,000. That’s a hefty sum! And it’s not just a few incidents; assaults on staff have hit a record high, with around 10,000 reported in just one year.
There was a noticeable spike in claims during 2021-2022, costing the prison over £561,000. This comes on the heels of a report highlighting serious safety issues, with patrol dogs being brought in to help manage the violence.
In May, the prison’s stability level was raised to red, indicating a serious concern for safety. The report pointed out that assaults on staff have been increasing, which is alarming.
Things were even worse at HMP Erlestoke, where claims reached nearly £790,000 in 2020-2021. The prison population has been climbing steadily for decades, but the number of officers hasn’t kept pace, which the IMB says is a big part of the problem.
Prison officers are understandably frustrated, feeling like they’re being treated as punching bags. The union representing them has called the violence levels unacceptable.
Pia Sinha from the Prison Reform Trust emphasized that these figures show the real impact of the pressures on the prison system. Both Bullingdon and Erlestoke were asked for comments, and the Ministry of Justice stated they’re investing in prison safety and maintenance.
