AI to predict prisoner attacks on officers

The UK Ministry of Justice is deploying artificial intelligence to curb rising prisoner attacks on officers. AI will assess inmate risk by analyzing age, drug use, offense type, and past violence, enabling preemptive transfers to high-security jails or segregation. “These tools are already fighting violence in prisons,” said Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Another AI system scans seized phones, analyzing 8.6 million messages from 33,000 devices to detect coded threats, drug deals, or drone smuggling plans, helping prevent attacks and contraband influx.

The initiative follows delays in issuing stab vests to officers, prompted by attacks like those by Hashem Abedi. AI will also streamline staff tasks, with tools like Copilot Chat saving 30 minutes daily for report drafting and data searches. A unified digital ID system will link offender records across courts and prisons, ensuring accurate monitoring.

New violence data, due July 31, 2025, is expected to confirm a record surge, highlighting the need for these measures. Mahmood’s plan aims to enhance safety and efficiency, allowing officers to focus on crime prevention. The AI rollout is part of a broader push to modernize justice systems.