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.

Conditions at HMP Bedford
Prison officers walked out of jails in protest at violent conditions (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

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.

Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Michael Spurr will be an extraordinarily hard act to follow.

“He is an exceptionally principled and knowledgeable leader who has selflessly served an endless succession of short term ministers.

“Whoever takes over will face the same fundamental problems of overcrowded and under-resourced prisons.

“Those are problems which only ministers can address and none of those whom Michael has served so faithfully have delivered.

“Anyone who thinks the problems in our prisons can be solved by a change of leader is deluding themselves.”

The Prison Governors Association said: “The current crisis cannot be levelled at Michael Spurr as this is clearly a result of government policy over the last decade, driven by the myriad of Secretaries of State and prison ministers, along with austerity and changes in strategic direction.”

Much of the prisons estate in England and Wales has been gripped by surging levels of violence, drug use and self-harm in recent years.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke  has demanded Government action at four troubled jails in less than a year, including three state-run establishments.

Last week he triggered an “urgent notification” for HMP Bedford after an inspection found inmates had effectively taken over the violent, overcrowded and vermin-infested prison.

In his annual report for 2017/18, the chief inspector warned that prisoners and staff have become “inured” to unacceptable conditions.

He highlighted how thousands of inmates are living in “squalid” and overcrowded cells, locked up for nearly 24 hours a day.

Authorities are also faced with a major task to stem the flow of contraband including drugs and mobile phones.

Mr Spurr, who was paid between £145,000 and £150,00 in 2017/18, started his career as a prison officer at HMP Leeds in 1983.

Mr Heaton said: “Michael is an exceptional public servant. His commitment to the organisation he leads, and to a humane and effective offender management system, has been unflinching, through a period when the system has faced extraordinary pressures, challenges and constraints.

“Michael’s leadership has been exemplary.  But we now need to look ahead, building on Michael’s work and developing a strategy for the next decade.

“I have therefore decided that April 2019 is the right time to ask a new chief executive to take on this important role.”

Conservative MP Bob Neill, who chairs the Commons Justice Committee, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Michael Spurr for the many years of dedicated public service he has given HMPPS and the broader justice system of this country.

“The prison and probation services face tough challenges and so I agree that now is the right time to consider the HMPPS’ strategy for the next decade.”