THE number of frontline officers working in a Portland prison is continuing to decline amid fears people are unwilling to work in jails across the country under conditions of violence, suicide and self-injury amongst inmates.

Figures show that at the HM Prison/Young Offenders Institution on Portland there has been a 16 per cent decline in frontline officers since 2013 – from 130 officers in 2013, to 120 officers in 2014 and 2015, and 109 in 2016.

A report, released today by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveals across the South West there were 890 frontline officers (full time equivalent) in prisons in the region in June 2016, down from 960 a year earlier.

The South West was amongst the regions with the most significant reductions in prison officers with a seven per cent decrease in the last year.

Today’s figures indicate that, in spite of a government recruitment drive, people remain unwilling to work in prisons under present conditions.

It comes after a report released earlier this month praised staff at the Portland prison for their work keeping it safe, working against a difficult backdrop of low staff levels, an influx of drugs and self-harm.

Prisoner Officers Association (POA) area representative Mark Fairhurst said: "The fall in prison officer numbers and the failure of our employer to recruit and retain staff comes as no surprise to the POA.

"The ever increasing violence which now highlights that 15 prison officers per day are assaulted at work and the lack of support from management when staff defend themselves from violence all add to the realities of a service that is clearly in crisis."

Mr Fairhurst said: "In an area like the South West where public sector work contributes to communities it is shocking but not surprising that people choose not to pursue a career in the prison service."

He added: "Our employer expects us to do more with less but at a time when incarceration's are at their highest levels, we need to flood our prisons with staff to ensure stability, control and safety."

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Reducing resources while allowing the prison population to grow unchecked has created a toxic cocktail of violence, death and human misery.

"These figures show how reductions in staffing and problems in recruiting and retaining new staff are feeding the problems behind bars.

“The vast majority of those sent to prison will be released back to the community and so it matters to all of us what happens to people when they are sent to prison."

As the prison population has grown and frontline officer numbers have fallen, safety in jails has deteriorated significantly.

The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “Safe prisons are fundamental to the proper functioning of our justice system.

“Our dedicated prison staff, who support tens of thousands of prisoners every day, are vital to the safe running of our prisons. 

"We have recruited 2,900 staff over the last 12 months and are taking significant action to make sure we have appropriate staffing levels.

“The secretary of State is determined to make sure our prisons are safe and places of rehabilitation and will set out her plans for reform shortly.”