Assaults on prison staff at Downview up by 54%

The need for the use of force at Downview Prison has doubled in a year - report

The number of assaults on staff at a women's prison in Surrey has increased by 54% between 2023 and 2024, a report shows.

There were 48 incidents of prisoner-on-staff assaults at Downview Prison in Banstead, compared with 31 in the previous year. Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults increased slightly, to 26 compared with 24.

The figures were revealed in a report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), published on Tuesday, who said too many women with complex mental health conditions were being transferred to the jail, when they should be in psychiatric units.

The Ministry of Justice said it is recruiting more psychologists to support women in custody.

IMB chair Emma Wilson said: "We have observed not only the consequences of a complex mix of prisoners on the effective operations of the prison, but also a near-doubling of acutely mentally unwell women arriving who would be best served in a secure psychiatric setting."

She added: "We have been impressed by the compassion and professionalism of staff in supporting these women.

"But the fact remains prison staff aren’t trained to treat or support severe psychiatric cases, and segregation conditions are categorically unsuitable to house vulnerable prisoners."

Inspectors say too many prisoners are being sent to Downview instead of secure psychiatric units

The report said assaults on staff had not resulted in serious injuries, but there had been an increase in spitting, punching, kicking and hair-pulling.

It said the need for the use of force at the women's prison more than doubled, with many of the officers being assaulted while trying to prevent prisoners from self-harming.

It also highlighted how a change in the admissions system since 2020 meant more women with drug-related issues and significant mental health needs being transferred to Downview.

The IMB also said there was not enough support to help prisoners maintain contact with their families.

The report praised the "excellent support" offered to help prisoners get jobs when they were released.

A prison service spokesman said: “We know that women in prison are often more likely to face complex issues, which is why we are recruiting specialist psychologists to better support women in custody and improving staff training on suicide and self-harm.

“Violence can often be fuelled by poor mental health so it is vital that we continue to improve support for women while ensuring the safety of our staff.

"All prison officers have access to body-worn cameras to keep them safe and all acts of violence are punished.”

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