Prison staff unable to cope - Featherstone

11.07.03pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Aug 2006

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that the Prison Service lost 589,471 working days during 2005/06 due to sickness, an average of more than twelve sick days a year for each member of staff.

The statistics were revealed today by Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone MP. Commenting Ms Featherstone said "As the prison population continues to soar, it is no wonder that prison staff feel overburdened. The Government needs to shift its focus from chasing headlines to its front line services and the staff they depend on.

"With working conditions for prison staff having deteriorated to such a low, how will they be motivated to help prisoners break the vicious cycle of re-offending?

"As the prison population continues to expand, stress and sickness amongst beleaguered staff is only going to increase."