Rise in assaults on officers and increase in prison violence 'of major concern'

Prison Officers Association president Tony Power said prison officers were being 'put at unnecessary risk on a daily basis'.

Prisons have seen a major spike in assaults and a 63% increase in staff injuries as they try to control escalating violence.

Assaults on prison officers have jumped by 46% between 2021 and 2022, according to Irish Prison Service figures.