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<p>Figures for the rates of all violent incidents can be obtained by adding the figures
given in the Answer to Question 186964 for rates of assaults on staff to those for
rates of assaults on prisoners. In a limited number of cases an incident will have
involved assault on both a member of staff and a prisoner, so those totals may slightly
exceed the totals that would be produced by using the published numbers of assaults
for the years in question.</p><p> </p><p>In order to improve safety, we have recruited
4,300 new prison officers over the last two years, with 1,400 more due to begin training
soon. We are investing an extra £70 million to improve safety, security and decency,
and we are equipping officers with PAVA incapacitant spray to help prevent serious
harm to staff and prisoners when dealing with violent incidents. We are also tackling
the drugs that we know are fuelling much of the violence in custody. This includes
spending on new x-ray scanners, drug-detection dogs, phone-blocking technology and
dedicated search teams.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Government supported the recent
Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which increases sentences for those
who attack emergency workers, including prison officers.</p>
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