This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6332439.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Prison violence increases 600% Six-fold rise in prison violence
(30 minutes later)
Prison violence has increased by almost 600% between 1996 and 2005, Home Office figures show. Prison violence has increased nearly six-fold between 1996 and 2005, Home Office figures show.
In answer to a written Parliamentary question from the Lib Dems, the department said violent incidents rose from 2,342 in 1996 to 13,771 in 2005.In answer to a written Parliamentary question from the Lib Dems, the department said violent incidents rose from 2,342 in 1996 to 13,771 in 2005.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said overcrowded prisons had become "increasingly dangerous."Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said overcrowded prisons had become "increasingly dangerous."
He is due to meet the chief inspector of prisons, who has said the jail system is facing a "serious crisis".He is due to meet the chief inspector of prisons, who has said the jail system is facing a "serious crisis".
Sir Menzies said "effective solutions" were needed, adding that his party's proposals would cut the prison population and reduce reoffending.Sir Menzies said "effective solutions" were needed, adding that his party's proposals would cut the prison population and reduce reoffending.
'Sinking ship''Sinking ship'
"Ten years of Labour mismanagement of the prison and criminal justice system have left our prisons in crisis and the public at risk."Ten years of Labour mismanagement of the prison and criminal justice system have left our prisons in crisis and the public at risk.
"If you keep putting people on an already crowded ship eventually the ship will start to sink.""If you keep putting people on an already crowded ship eventually the ship will start to sink."
The Home Office figures, released by Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, showed that violence had increased between inmates and against prison staff.The Home Office figures, released by Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, showed that violence had increased between inmates and against prison staff.
There were 2,971 violent incidents against prison officers in 2005 compared with 551 in 1996. Violence between inmates rose from 1,791 in 1996 to 10,800 in 2005.There were 2,971 violent incidents against prison officers in 2005 compared with 551 in 1996. Violence between inmates rose from 1,791 in 1996 to 10,800 in 2005.
The party said it would use the planned £1.5 billion earmarked for building new prisons to extend secure and semi-secure mental health treatment for offenders.The party said it would use the planned £1.5 billion earmarked for building new prisons to extend secure and semi-secure mental health treatment for offenders.
Drug treatment would be more widely available, with more prisoners working, and training would be compulsory.Drug treatment would be more widely available, with more prisoners working, and training would be compulsory.
Campaigners also blamed the increase in violence on overcrowding, as well as reduced training for staff and a high turnover of prison governors.Campaigners also blamed the increase in violence on overcrowding, as well as reduced training for staff and a high turnover of prison governors.
The director of the Prison Reform Trust, Juliet Lyon, said: "We have 90 prisons overcrowded and high numbers of vulnerable, volatile people are in transit from one unknown jail to another.The director of the Prison Reform Trust, Juliet Lyon, said: "We have 90 prisons overcrowded and high numbers of vulnerable, volatile people are in transit from one unknown jail to another.
There are no quick fixes to the problem of violence in prisons Prison ServiceThere are no quick fixes to the problem of violence in prisons Prison Service
"No surprise then that re-conviction rates have soared, self harm has reached an epidemic level and violent incidents are commonplace.""No surprise then that re-conviction rates have soared, self harm has reached an epidemic level and violent incidents are commonplace."
The Prison Service said improved recording may be contributing to the increase in violence.The Prison Service said improved recording may be contributing to the increase in violence.
It has a violence reduction strategy which includes anti-bullying work and assessing inmates to prevent violence when cell-sharing.It has a violence reduction strategy which includes anti-bullying work and assessing inmates to prevent violence when cell-sharing.
A spokeswoman said: "There are no quick fixes to the problem of violence in prisons.A spokeswoman said: "There are no quick fixes to the problem of violence in prisons.
"The increased number of recorded assaults may be a result of prisoners feeling more confident to report incidents because of the Violence Reduction Strategy, and/or improved recording since a new key performance indicator on serious assaults was introduced in 2003."The increased number of recorded assaults may be a result of prisoners feeling more confident to report incidents because of the Violence Reduction Strategy, and/or improved recording since a new key performance indicator on serious assaults was introduced in 2003.
"Detailed analysis of statistics recording serious assaults in prisons shows that the rate may be stabilising.""Detailed analysis of statistics recording serious assaults in prisons shows that the rate may be stabilising."