Many prison officers are expected to work until they are 68, when their counterparts in the police and fire services are able to retire at 60. The retirement age for Prison Officers should be brought in line with other frontline services.

There were 10,496 assaults on staff in the 12 months to September 2024. In the latest 12 months, the rate of assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners increased by 19% to 120 incidents per 1,000 prisoners, also a new peak. We believe our Prison Officers should not have to work in these conditions, dealing with violence and confrontation until age 68.