Prison officers have been granted an earlier retirement age with full pension benefits, Sky News has revealed.

Following weeks of controversy and industrial action, it has been announced that prison officers will be allowed to retire at 65, three years ahead of the state pension age, at no cost to their pensions.

The government, along with the union for prison employees, the Prison Officers Association, has reached an agreement that permits prison workers to receive an improved pay and pensions deal, following weeks of debate over jail safety.

Thousands of POA members refused to work last month as a result of a surge in violence and claims that the system was on the verge of collapse.

Up to 10,000 officers held protests outside jails concerning the state of pensions across England and Wales. The action forced ministers to secure a High Court injunction to demand prison staff go back to work.

The proposed deal, including the lowered retirement age, has been backed by the POA and will be put to a membership ballot.

The proposal made by the government also notes that uniformed staff will be given pay rises of between 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent for each of the next three years in addition to usual performance-related pay rises.

Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "This agreement is a good offer which rightly recognises the hard work and dedication of officers across the country doing a tough job."

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