Youth jail where kids carry knives has highest staff sickness rates in England

14 January 2023 , 19:28

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A total of 82 attacks on officers took place in six months last year in one prison (file image) (Image: Getty Images)

A youth jail where kids carry knives has the highest prison staff sickness rates in England.

A total of 82 attacks on officers took place in six months last year at Werrington institution for 15 to 18-year-olds in Staffordshire.

Inspectors found inmates carried weapons because they say staff can’t keep them safe.

Ministry of Justice figures show 18.5% of officers were off sick on September 20.

Mick Pimblett, of the Prison Officers’ Association, said they were “burnt out”. He blamed low pay and staff shortages, adding: “The Prison Service is in crisis.”

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Police vehicles entering the main gates of Werrington Young Offenders prison

Second in the league table with a 14.08% rate was category B Garth jail in Lancashire with about 800 inmates, most in for violence and sex crimes.

Staff sickness last year was 80% higher than in 2017, the top reasons being mental and behavioural disorders.

The Prison Service said: “We’re strengthening our extensive mental health support and clamping down on violence.”

Nicola Small