Any inmate guilty of assaulting a prisoner officer should automatically lose any privileges and be denied early release, Esther McVey said.
She said staff safety must be a priority and inmate know there will be serious consequences if an officer is attacked.
Speaking in Parliament Ms McVey said: “Surely as a minimum any prisoner that assaults a prison officer should automatically forfeit any right to early release and all privileges. Does the minister agree and if so when will he introduce that change, and if not why?”
Ms McVey believes the change could go some way to ending violence in prisons.
She said: “Attacks on staff are increasing but too often the additional jail time added to a sentence is a couple of weeks. These officers are doing a very difficult and dangerous job, and we need to show them we are on their side and attacks will not be tolerated. Ending early release and taking away privileges sends out a strong message.”
In response Justice Secretary Sir Nicholas Dakin said Ms McVey was right and anything that happens should be dealt with immediately by the prison authorities.
“That is exactly what is happening and that is why these reviews are in place to learn the lessons so the appropriate action can be taken, so we can put appropriate steps in place for the future, taking into account the issue she raised amongst other issues.”
Ms McVey’s call comes days after Southport killer Axel Rudakubana allegedly poured boiling water over a prison officer. It was the latest in a string of alleged attacks on officers.
Government has commissioned a review into whether officers should be given stab vests, but shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick warned unless immediate action was taken, he feared an officer would be killed.
Ms McVey said she would also be writing to the minister on the issue to get further clarification if changes will be made.
