"Prison officers do a difficult job... to be attacked like this is unacceptable," say police.

The government has pledged £2.3bn to tackle prison overcrowding, aiming to create 14,000 new spaces.

The officer was punched twice in the face and left unconscious, according to police.

James Whitlock tries to flee hospital after detaching himself from a chain while washing.

The inmate will have to serve an extra three years in jail for the attack.

Murderer Charlie White gave the prison officer a broken jaw in the "cowardly" attack, say police.

The MoJ says it "will always ensure we have the prison places we need to keep criminals locked up".

Whitemoor lifer Russell Ireland also set fire to his cell and is given another five-year jail term.