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<p> </p><p> </p><p>Prisoners can pursue civil litigation claims for any assault in
prison, but we robustly defend all cases as far as the evidence allows. Each case
is dealt with on its own merits and we successfully defend two-thirds of claims brought
by prisoners. In those occasions where compensation is awarded to an individual, the
law requires that it be paid direct to them and cannot be used for other purposes.</p><p>
</p><p>The most effective way to reduce compensation is to reduce violence and NOMS
has clear policy in place to achieve this. The most recent statistics show prisoner
assaults falling, and at their lowest for many years. Notwithstanding this reduction,
a comprehensive review of the management of violence is being undertaken and improved
guidance will be implemented later this year.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows
the total compensation paid to prisoners following assaults by other prisoners over
the last four financial years as a result of civil claims, by way of out of Court
settlement or by Court award. The figures exclude private prisons. The figures are
drawn from financial management information and as with any large scale recording
system data may be subject to possible error in entry and processing of transactions
against accounting code.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Amount
paid</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/2013</p></td><td><p>£120,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/2012</p></td><td><p>£119,359</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010/2011</p></td><td><p>£187,867</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009/2010</p></td><td><p>£224,114</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
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