New research has revealed that more than than 15,000 days of additional jail time have been imposed on prisoners in Dorset. 

Prisoners in HMP Young Offender Institution on Portland and HMP Guys Marsh in Shaftesbury, were handed a total of 15,203 days – almost 42 years – of additional imprisonment for breaking prison rules last year. 

HMP/YOI Portland saw the highest number with 8,380 days of additional imprisonment handed out in 2016, an average of 17 days per prisoner. HMP Guys Marsh had the second highest number at 6,823 days. 

Research by the Howard League for Penal Reform revealed this week that prisons are increasingly resorting to severe punishments in an attempt to regain control.

It is calculated that the additional days imposed across England and Wales in 2016 allegedly cost taxpayers around £27million.

The findings are published in ‘Out of control: Punishment in prison’, the latest in a series of reports from the Howard League examining how prisons respond to misbehaviour. It describes how disciplinary hearings are used excessively, with minor infractions such as disobedience and disrespect being punished with additional days of imprisonment.

The report calls on England and Wales to follow the example set by Scotland, where the use of additional days of imprisonment was scrapped 10 years ago.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Prisons are out of control. More people than ever before are losing their lives to suicide, and violence and self-injury are at record levels. The adjudications system has become a monster that is making these problems worse.

“There are more constructive ways to deal with misbehaviour than simply locking up people for longer, which puts even more pressure on the system.”

She added that “sensible action” to reduce the prison population could save lives and prevent more people delving in further crime and violence. 

A Prison Service spokesman said: “The prison discipline system upholds justice in prisons, ensures actions have consequences and empowers governors to make the right judgements for their circumstances and their prisons.

“The vast majority of offenders leave prison without serving a single additional day.

“But the public and our hardworking staff rightly expect that those prisoners who choose to break the rules, making life more difficult for staff and other offenders or putting their safety at risk, should face the consequences.”