Figures have revealed that one prison officer almost every day was assaulted by an inmate while on duty in Scotland’s increasingly violent jails.
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data shows 350 officers were attacked during 2024/25 – the highest number in five years – with critics claiming violence behind bars is spiralling out of control.
Data supplied under Freedom of Information shows 1,543 officers were victims of assault between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
There were 313 assaults in 2023/24, 261 in 2022/23, with 294 and 325 incidents in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively.
According to the Prison Officers’ Association, jails are the “most hostile and violent workplace of anywhere or any other occupation in the world”.
They warn overcrowding, drug abuse, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside Scotland’s crisis-hit prison system are placing overworked staff under intolerable pressure.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said the “damning” figures laid bare the “brutal reality facing prison officers”.
He said: “Violence has spiralled out of control as the Nationalists have relentlessly slashed budgets, leaving hardworking staff at the mercy of dangerous inmates.
“Resources should be clearly targeted so that prison officers get the extra support they desperately need or else ministers run the risk of experienced staff quitting the SPS.
“Instead of continually betraying those working in our justice system, the SNP must start prioritising their safety.”
Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said the “appalling figures” show violence is on the rise in Scotland’s prisons and staff are being put in danger.
She said: “Under the SNP, Scotland’s prisons are dangerously overcrowded and it is causing chaos.
“It’s imperative that the Scottish Government has a plan in place to give prison officers the resources they need to keep staff safe in a job that carries such risks.
“If we can learn anything from other jurisdictions such as England and Wales we should and with some urgency.
“The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and work with the Scottish Prison Service to keep staff and prisons safe.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP insisted “no one should go to work expecting to be assaulted”.
He said: “Huge numbers of people, many of whom have complex problems, are being sent to a place proven to worsen their likelihood of reoffending.
“In turn, overworked prison staff are finding themselves with less time to work with individuals to help improve their prospects and are increasingly encountering unsafe situations.
“Prisons can be a pressure cooker but the government must ensure that high safety standards are maintained across the entire prison sector.
“It’s time for the Justice Secretary to recognise that a step change is necessary. It’s crucial we strike a balance between punishing, rehabilitating and supporting — that is how we will reduce reoffending and make communities safer.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said attacks on prisoners and prison staff are “completely unacceptable” and all incidents were reported to Police Scotland.
They added: “To continue to provide a safe and secure prison estate, we have increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5million in 2025/26.”
An SPS spokesperson said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence.
“We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.”
