Since the Conservatives took power in 2010, the number of guards in high security jails with more than three years’ experience has dropped from 4,148 to 2,993
The country’s most dangerous prisoners are being guarded by fewer experienced officers because of an exodus of staff.
Since the Conservatives took power in 2010, the number of guards in high security jails with more than three years’ experience has dropped from 4,148 to 2,993.
Back then they made up 91% of the workforce, but this has dropped to 69% as ministers are forced to bring in new recruits to try and fill the gaps. That means almost a third of staff guarding the worst criminals have been in the job less than three years.
At HMP Belmarsh, where Grindr killer Stephen Port is an inmate, the percentage of rookie officers has risen from 5% to 27%. There has been a similar increase from 5% to 30% at HMP Frankland, where Sarah Everard’s murderer Wayne Couzens is locked up.