Assaults on prison workers cost State €30m

Assaults on prison staff have cost the State almost €30m since 2008. However, the ratio of assaults by prisoners on Irish Prison Service (IPS) members is reportedly relatively low.

A study was conducted last year by the State Claims Agency (SCA) following a number of violent physical assaults on IPS staff.

The aim of the study was to review the incidents of assault, determine the root cause, comment on the potential for future assaults and to make recommendations for improvement.