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| Prison officers halt work over safety fears, union says | Prison officers halt work over safety fears, union says |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of prison officers in England have stopped work amid health and safety concerns, their union has said. | Thousands of prison officers in England have stopped work amid health and safety concerns, their union has said. |
| The Prison Officers Association said up to 10,000 members would take part in the day of protest, which would be "interpreted as a strike", after talks with the government broke down. | The Prison Officers Association said up to 10,000 members would take part in the day of protest, which would be "interpreted as a strike", after talks with the government broke down. |
| It said members would provide only emergency cover to protect prisoners' well-being. | It said members would provide only emergency cover to protect prisoners' well-being. |
| The Ministry of Justice described the action as unjustified and "unlawful". | The Ministry of Justice described the action as unjustified and "unlawful". |
| 'Volatile and dangerous' | 'Volatile and dangerous' |
| The protest began at midnight and comes after multiple high profile incidents at prisons across England, including an alleged murder, a riot and two inmates escaping from Pentonville prison in London. | |
| Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder after Jamal Mahmoud, died after being stabbed at Pentonville jail on 18 October in an attack which left two others injured. | |
| And earlier this month prisoners caused almost £1m of damage during a riot at Bedford prison. | |
| Prison officers are technically banned from going on strike but in 2012 they took part in walkouts over pension reforms. | Prison officers are technically banned from going on strike but in 2012 they took part in walkouts over pension reforms. |
| A union spokesman said: "The POA has consistently raised the volatile and dangerous state of prisons, as chronic staff shortages and impoverished regimes has resulted in staff no longer being safe, a lack of discipline and prisoners taking control of areas." | A union spokesman said: "The POA has consistently raised the volatile and dangerous state of prisons, as chronic staff shortages and impoverished regimes has resulted in staff no longer being safe, a lack of discipline and prisoners taking control of areas." |
| But an MoJ spokesman said: "We have been engaged in constructive talks with the POA over the last two weeks and have provided a comprehensive response to a range of health and safety concerns. | |
| "We have well-established contingencies in place to manage prisons and keep the public safe, but we are clear that this constitutes unlawful industrial action, and we will seek remedy in the courts." | "We have well-established contingencies in place to manage prisons and keep the public safe, but we are clear that this constitutes unlawful industrial action, and we will seek remedy in the courts." |
| Earlier this month, Justice Secretary Liz Truss unveiled a White Paper detailing £1.3bn investment in new prisons over the next five years, and plans for 2,100 extra officers, drug tests and more autonomy for governors. | Earlier this month, Justice Secretary Liz Truss unveiled a White Paper detailing £1.3bn investment in new prisons over the next five years, and plans for 2,100 extra officers, drug tests and more autonomy for governors. |