Fearful prisons officer expresses concern over potential workmate being fatally attacked on duty.
Amplified: The Dangerous Rise of Violence Against Prison Staff in England and Wales
A senior prison officer union figure has candidly expressed his deepest dread: a fellow team member getting brutally murdered on duty. This chilling fear was voiced by Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers Association (POA), a prisoner service worker himself.
after an alleged attack on a prison officer at Southport by murderer Axel Rudakubana is causing tremors among prison staff who feel they need more protection. On Thursday, Rudakubana, a triple killer, allegedly assaulted an officer at HMP Belmarsh in London by throwing boiling water. Fortunately, the officer was discharged from the hospital the same day and is expected to resume work next week.
This incident comes hot on the heels of another attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham, where Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, allegedly attacked four prison officers with cooking oil and an improvised weapon.
The Prison Service promptly responded after Thursday's attack, affirming their zero-tolerance policy towards violence against their hardworking staff. It declared, "Violence in prison will not be tolerated and we will always push for the strongest possible punishment for attacks on our staff."
Prison staff have been reporting an escalation in the violence they face daily. There were 10,496 assaults against them in England and Wales over a 12-month period, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year. Mark Fairhurst is urging for more backing, advocating for stab-proof vests in high-risk areas, slash-proof vests throughout the estate, and the tactical use of tasers in high-security facilities.
The surge in prison violence has led the government to launch a review on whether prison officers should be armed with stab vests. The Prison Governors' Association president, Tom Wheatley, contends that the increasing violence can be attributed to overcrowded prisons and excessively long sentences, making it difficult for staff to manage prisoners and creating a dangerous atmosphere.
Prisons across England and Wales were 98.9% full last month, despite the government releasing more than 1,700 prisoners early in September to create more space. Due to these challenges, more support for prison staff might also help alleviate the ongoing recruitment crisis in the prison service.
Recent incidents highlight the urgent need for solutions and reinforce the need for stricter measures to ensure the safety of prison staff. Past attacks, like the death of convicted killer John Mansfield at HMP Whitemoor, serve as stark reminders of the risks prison officers face every day on the job.
Additional Insights:
- Prison Overcrowding: Prison overcrowding is a significant factor causing difficulties for staff to effectively manage the prisoners in their care.
- Drug Issues: Inadequate efforts to address drug problems within prisons, such as at HMP Parc, contribute to an environment that fuels violent behavior among inmates.
- Length of Sentences: Longer prison sentences are blamed for exacerbating the current situation, as prisoners may feel they have nothing to lose, leading to increased aggression.
Related Topics:
- Prisons and Criminal Justice System
- Safety and Security
- Prison Reform
"If we don't invest in our staff, we won't be able to secure a safe, effective prison service," emphasizes Mr. Wheatley. It is crucial that measures are taken to ensure the safety of prison staff and create a safer working environment for everyone involved.
- The rise in violence against prison staff, such as the recent alleged attack on a prison officer at Southport, highlights the need for more protection and a zero-tolerance policy towards such incidents.
- Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers Association, has urged for more backing, including the use of stab-proof vests in high-risk areas, slash-proof vests throughout prisons, and the tactical use of tasers in high-security facilities.
- The government's review on whether prison officers should be armed with stab vests is a response to the escalating prison violence, which has seen a 19% increase in assaults against staff in England and Wales over the past year.
- Prison overcrowding, drug issues, and excessively long sentences have been identified as factors contributing to the increasing violence in prisons, fueling the need for prison reform and safer working conditions for prison staff.
- In light of the dangerous rise in violence against prison staff, General News, Crime and Justice, and Prisons and Criminal Justice System discussions should prioritize propositions that focus on staff safety and prison reform to create a secure and effective prison service.
