BRITAIN’S prisons are struggling to find enough workers, the austerity-hit sector’s chief operating officer admitted today during a grilling by MPs.

In a justice committee hearing, Michelle Jarman-Howe acknowledged a staff leaving rate of 15 per cent but claimed she is “very confident” that the situation is improving.

The group — made up of MPs from various parties and legal experts — is conducting an inquiry into the sector’s workforce amid reports that shortages are leading to prisoners being locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day.