CONCERNS have been raised about overnight staffing levels at open prisons after the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) said only 17 officers were in charge of more than 3,000 inmates.

Trained prison officers at seven open prisons across the country, including the allfemale Askham Grange, near York, are supported by only 26 staff, according to the POA.

The news comes after the violent scenes on New Year’s Day when inmates went on the rampage at Ford prison, in West Sussex.

Rioting erupted after officers attempted to breathalyse inmates for alcohol. About 40 men took control of the centre, smashing windows and starting fires. It emerged that only two prison officers and four support staff were in charge of almost 500 prisoners on the night.

Figures show that, on average, there are 43 staff in charge of 3,012 prisoners in category D open units.

POA assistant secretary Joe Simpson said he was surprised that an incident like the one at Ford had not happened earlier.

He said: “Prison Service management feel that because it is a category D and low security prison, they only need a minimal level of staffing.

“But we feel that is totally inadequate to deal with what we have got to deal with during the night. When they are getting drink and drugs, it is impossible for the staff who are on duty to cope.”

Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt said the inquiry into the violence at Ford would look at staffing levels.

He said: “One of the issues will be about whether there are particular circumstances at Ford – to examine whether the staffing policies are appropriate at Ford compared to other open prisons.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “There are around 91 operational prison staff on duty overnight in open prisons, made up of roughly 65 trained and uniformed operational grade support officers and around 26 staff at Prison Officer grades.

“Such staffing levels have been risk-assessed as appropriate for open prisons and low-risk offenders who are nearing the end of their sentences.”

No one from Askham Grange, which has 123 prisoners on its register, was available for comment.