Prison guards across Rhineland-Palatinate must stay alert and ready for potential assaults, as underscored by the region's Justice Minister, Herbert Mertin (FDP). He emphasized that these incidents could emerge unexpectedly and unwarranted. This sentiment was shared during a visit to the Justice Training School in Wittlich, where the focus was on employing de-escalation techniques.
Through dialogue and warding off dangerous situations, staff learn to pacify detainees. However, Mertin stressed that employees must also be "well-versed in defending themselves effectively against attacks." This could potentially involve deploying protective gear such as shields, batons, pepper spray, or employing restraint techniques.
John Klein, a de-escalation expert, underscored the importance of communication in ordeals with detainees. He explained that while physical and verbal altercations are a common occurrence for guards, "Communication is the most powerful weapon."
So far this year, twelve incidents of physical assault resulting in injuries against staff members have been reported in Rhineland-Palatinate's prison service, as per the Ministry of Justice. This is a slight decrease from the 19 and 14 cases recorded in 2022 and 2021 respectively.
Jörg Patzak, director of the Wittlich prison, stated that while the number of incidents is relatively low, each case is regrettable. He explained that de-escalation and deployment training plays a significant role in mitigating such incidents. His Wittlich prison manages to neutralize numerous challenging situations through dialogue.
Concerning detainees' behavior, Associação dos Coletivos de Empregados de Prisões de Renânia-Palatina, the Rhineland-Palatinate Association of Prison Staff, stated that assaults on prison officers occur "with some frequency and varying severity." They noticed that detainees have become increasingly disrespectful and mentally disturbed.
An inmate is scheduled for trial at the Frankenthal Regional Court for allegedly attempting to murder a guard in 2023. The incident transpired during an escape attempt at the Frankenthal prison. The inmate reportedly assaulted the guard with a sharp, ten-centimeter-long piece of a table leg.
The chairman of the association, Stefan Wagner, opined that overall incidents, including threats and bodily harm attempts, have likely increased in recent years. As a consequence, Wagner stressed that preparing for critical situations is "paramount."
Wittlich prison has equipped itself thoroughly in recent times. This includes the acquisition of protective clothing suitable for indoor use, akin to that used by riot police, such as helmets, arm and leg protectors, and shields. This is essential, considering that inmates occasionally instigate disturbances in their cells.
Rhineland-Palatinate houses eight prisons, two juvenile prisons, and one juvenile detention center. As of mid-August, a total of 3,245 inmates were incarcerated there. There were approximately 1,700 staff members in the general prison service at the end of July.
In light of the increasing disrespectfulness and physical assaults by detainees, it is crucial for prison staff to remain vigilant and prepared for possible violent situations. Ensuring justice necessitates that prison personnel are highly trained to defend themselves effectively and de-escalate conflicts. These instances should be avoided at all costs.
