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<p>We acknowledge that the most recent figures, for the year to September 2018, show
that the level of violence in our prisons is far too high, and we are taking the action
to address it. This is a complex problem. We know that our new measures will take
effect over time, and that we cannot expect an immediate reduction in the number of
assaults. Nonetheless, we remain confident that they are the right measures, and we
are introducing them as quickly as we can.</p><p> </p><p>We have recruited over 4,700
more prison officers since October 2016, and we now have the greatest number in post
since early 2012. The key worker scheme is already showing promising signs of effectiveness
and has started in all 92 closed adult male prisons, with over 30,000 prisoners having
an assigned key worker who has dedicated time each week to work with them. The Challenge,
Support and Intervention case management process for prisoners at risk of violence
has been mandated for all prisons and will be fully in place by the end of April 2019.
We are improving perimeter security and using other equipment such as body scanners
to address the supply of drugs. We are confident that these initiatives, together
with the many other measures that we are taking to protect our staff, will reduce
the level of violence in prisons.</p>
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