Key Points:
- Prison officers demand the use of Tasers in UK’s most dangerous prisons for better protection.
- Mark Fairhurst, National Chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), will meet with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to discuss the issue.
- The call for Tasers follows an attack at HMP Frankland, where four officers were injured by Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena bomb plotter, using hot oil and homemade weapons.
- Abedi has since been transferred to Belmarsh prison, a high-security facility in south-east London.
- Officers say current safety measures like batons and pepper spray are insufficient in life-threatening situations.
- Ministry of Justice plans to review security protocols and the access to kitchens in separation units.
Prison officers are seeking the approval of Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to allow the use of Tasers in UK prisons, particularly the most dangerous ones. This request follows a violent attack on officers at HMP Frankland earlier this month, where Hashem Abedi, convicted of the Manchester Arena bombing plot, injured four guards using hot cooking oil and homemade weapons.
Mark Fairhurst, National Chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), has been vocal about the dangers prison officers face. He stated, “When we face life-threatening situations, we no longer have tactical options.” Fairhurst emphasized that current measures, such as extendable batons and pepper spray, were often ineffective when dealing with violent offenders. He stressed the need for specially trained staff who can neutralise threats with Tasers.
What happened at HMP Frankland?
The attack at HMP Frankland occurred when Abedi, known for his involvement in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, launched an attack on prison staff using hot oil and homemade weapons. The incident left four officers injured and has raised concerns about the safety of prison staff dealing with highly violent offenders.
The incident prompted the Ministry of Justice to announce a review of the event, including the access to kitchens in separation units, where the attack took place. Prison officers, particularly at HMP Frankland, are feeling increasingly vulnerable, and many have expressed frustration over what they perceive as the appeasement of violent offenders.
What is the Ministry of Justice doing in response to these concerns?
The Ministry of Justice has pledged to investigate the incident at HMP Frankland and is looking into whether additional protective measures, such as body armour for frontline staff, are necessary. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, has committed to a thorough review of prison safety protocols and how separation centres are managed, including how kitchen access is handled in high-risk areas. Mahmood acknowledged the need for further measures to better protect prison officers.
What is the stance of prison officers and their union?
Mark Fairhurst of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) expressed the grave concerns of prison staff who are increasingly facing life-threatening situations without adequate tools to respond effectively. He emphasized that while strike action is not an option for prison officers, the issue of health and safety legislation is being raised to address the dangerous working conditions. Fairhurst also pointed out that officers at HMP Frankland were left traumatised and angry by the lack of support in dealing with such violent offenders.
Will the use of Tasers improve safety for prison officers?
While the use of Tasers in prisons is a contentious issue, prison officers argue that it is a necessary tool to ensure their safety. They believe that having the ability to deploy Tasers would neutralise dangerous threats quickly, preventing further injury or death. The call for more protection comes as officers continue to face increasingly violent situations that they feel are beyond their control with current equipment.
In conclusion, the tragic attack at HMP Frankland has sparked renewed calls for better protection for prison officers and for the use of Tasers in high-security prisons. The Ministry of Justice’s review of prison safety protocols and the subsequent meetings between POA representatives and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood will be closely watched as the debate over prison security and officer safety intensifies.
What will the government’s review into prison safety entail?
The Ministry of Justice review will specifically focus on the incident at HMP Frankland and the wider security measures in separation units. This will include an examination of whether prison officers should be given more protection and tools such as Tasers to manage dangerous inmates.
