Violence in prisons falls as policies take effect

The number of assaults by prisoners on prison officers last year averaged almost two per week.

Figures released by acting Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald show that 91 assaults, 1.75 per week, in 62 incidents were perpetrated by prisoners on prison officers last year.

The total represents a 37% reduction on the 144 prisoner-on-prison-officer assaults recorded for 2014; and a 41% reduction on the 154 assaults that took place in 2013.