Head of prisons service asked to stand down amid concern over violence and drugs

The head of the prison and probation system in England and Wales has been asked to stand down, amid an ongoing crisis in jails.

The Ministry of Justice announced that Michael Spurr will leave his role as chief executive of HM Prison and Probation Service at the end of March 2019.

Mr Spurr has worked in prisons for 35 years and headed the system for nine, first as chief executive of the National Offender Management Service Agency from 2010 and then leader of HMPPS when it was created in April 2017.

His departure comes a month after prisons minister Rory Stewart admitted acute problems with drugs and violence in a number of publicly-run prisons, and said that he would resign if the situation was not improved within a year.

Thousands of prison officers walked out for six hours last week in a protest at “unprecedented violence” in British jails.

It is understood that the decision by MOJ permanent secretary Richard Heaton to ask Mr Spurr to step aside was not sparked by one specific incident, but reflects a desire for fresh leadership to address ongoing problems.

In a statement announcing his departure, Justice Secretary David Gauke said: “I am extremely grateful to Michael Spurr for his leadership of HMPPS.

“His focus has been unwavering on doing the best for his staff and for victims of crime, on discipline in the prison estate and on caring for and rehabilitating offenders.

“He is an example of the very best of public service and civil service leadership. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Michael into the New Year.”

The process of appointing a successor will begin in October.