Report exposes shocking violent and dehumanising prison staff behaviour towards prisoners

Activism / 11 November 2026 BDS Movement hails victory as Scottish-Korean oil firm ditches Palestine ‘pillage’ 11 November 2026 Green Energy / 11 November 2026 PM welcomes £12bn ‘vote of confidence’ in offshore wind 11 November 2026 Environment / 11 November 2026 Scottish government accused of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ approach to climate 11 November 2026 Workers' Rights / 11 November 2026 Unions condemn ‘science vandalism‘ with planned job cuts at research body 11 November 2026 Wales / 11 November 2026 Reform backs member banned from speaking in Senedd for ‘white replacement’ claims 11 November 2026 Economy / 11 November 2026 Labour market ‘grinding to a halt,’ study suggests 11 November 2026 A DAMNING investigation has exposed “shocking, violent and dehumanising” staff behaviour towards prisoners, including physical and psychological cruelty.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report, published today, noted that in one case, a prison officer told a 19-year-old during a use-of-force incident in a strip-search: “How f***ing difficult was that, mate? You stupid, stupid boy.”

The teenager’s teeth were significantly damaged and he alleged a racial slur, yet the prison’s own investigation found no need for a formal investigation.

Covering complaints from April 2021 to March 2026, the report found bullying and harassment made up almost a fifth, and use of force a third.

In at least 30 per cent of use-of-force cases, there were not adequate attempts to de-escalate, and in 9 per cent of complaints investigated, the staff member complained about was involved in the internal investigation.

The Ombudsman also found prisons’ inability to provide footage “unacceptable and unprofessional and, at worst, suspicious.”

Deborah Coles, of campaign group Inquest, said the report showed how some officers “neglect, dehumanise, and physically harm the people in their care, yet face no independent oversight.”

She backed calls for a new independent investigative body.

Prison Officers Association national chair Mark Fairhurst said such failures must be addressed but that they “involve a very small minority and should not overshadow the decency, integrity and professionalism demonstrated by the vast majority of prison officers.”

He said: “The focus should be on supporting staff, setting clear expectations and addressing shortcomings constructively, not undermining the morale of the many who do an exceptionally difficult job professionally every day.”

The Ministry of Justice was approached for comment.

Justice System / 3 November 2026 Privatised prison repairs preventing rehabilitation, report warns 3 November 2026 Justice System / 16 September 2026 Pepper spray used disproportionately against black boys in prison 16 September 2026 Justice System / 21 August 2026 Sentencing and release policy should prioritise public protection and effective rehabilitation 21 August 2026 With the agitated debate now raging in the media about the early release schemes, Prison Officers Association general secretary STEVE GILLAN gives the view of those who work in the sector