PRISON reform campaigners called for the radical transformation of the prison officer role in England and Wales today in a report highlighting the issues faced in jails.

The report by the Prison Reform Trust (PRT), written by former prison governor Peter Dawson, looked at evidence gathered through focus groups with prisoners.

It said that the prison service “stands at a crucial turning point,” with the workforce facing “unprecedented challenges” stemming from staffing cuts made from 2012 onwards.