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High Court orders halt to prison protests High Court orders halt to prison protests
(35 minutes later)
Prison officers have been ordered to end a 24-hour protest and return to work after a High Court injunction was granted against the action.Prison officers have been ordered to end a 24-hour protest and return to work after a High Court injunction was granted against the action.
Up to 10,000 prison officers in England and Wales stopped work over claims of a "surge in violence" in jails.Up to 10,000 prison officers in England and Wales stopped work over claims of a "surge in violence" in jails.
It is illegal for officers to strike, but the Prison Officers Association argued the government had not provided safe working conditions.It is illegal for officers to strike, but the Prison Officers Association argued the government had not provided safe working conditions.
However, the judge said the case for an injunction was strong.However, the judge said the case for an injunction was strong.
Granting the application, Mr Justice Kerr said there was evidence 80% of staff had taken some sort of action in most prisons.Granting the application, Mr Justice Kerr said there was evidence 80% of staff had taken some sort of action in most prisons.
"A number of incidents have occurred in prisons today and the situation is very concerning indeed," he said."A number of incidents have occurred in prisons today and the situation is very concerning indeed," he said.
The POA directed its members to take action after talks with the government over health and safety concerns broke down.
The protests brought an unknown number of court cases to a standstill, including that of Thomas Mair, who is accused of murdering MP Jo Cox.
How dangerous are our prisons?How dangerous are our prisons?
The government's lawyers said the POA was "seeking to take over the control of jails from governors and run them on a controlled lock-down basis". The POA directed its members to take action after talks with the government over health and safety concerns broke down.
In court, the union's lawyer cited a series of incidents he said had occurred in the last two weeks, including 30 assaults by inmates on officers, 14 hostage situations and 13 absconds, attempted escapes or escapes.
But the government's lawyers accused the POA of "seeking to take over the control of jails from governors and run them on a controlled lock-down basis".
Daniel Stilitz QC, for the Ministry of Justice, said the "danger" was "ramping up" with "each hour that goes by with the prisons unmanned".Daniel Stilitz QC, for the Ministry of Justice, said the "danger" was "ramping up" with "each hour that goes by with the prisons unmanned".
The protests also affected prisoner transport and brought an unknown number of court cases to a standstill, including that of Thomas Mair, who is accused of murdering MP Jo Cox.
Speaking in the Commons earlier, Justice Secretary Liz Truss said prison officers did a "tough and difficult job", but the POA had failed to respond to government proposals to tackle their concerns.Speaking in the Commons earlier, Justice Secretary Liz Truss said prison officers did a "tough and difficult job", but the POA had failed to respond to government proposals to tackle their concerns.
"The union's position is unnecessary and unlawful and it will make the situation in our prisons more dangerous," she told MPs."The union's position is unnecessary and unlawful and it will make the situation in our prisons more dangerous," she told MPs.
Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said the events were the "clearest sign yet of... a crisis" in prisons and the government had "lost control".Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said the events were the "clearest sign yet of... a crisis" in prisons and the government had "lost control".
The POA says "chronic staff shortages and impoverished regimes" have "resulted in staff no longer being safe, a lack of discipline and prisoners taking control of areas".The POA says "chronic staff shortages and impoverished regimes" have "resulted in staff no longer being safe, a lack of discipline and prisoners taking control of areas".
"The continued surge in violence and unprecedented levels of suicide and acts of self harm, coupled with the recent murder and escapes demonstrate that the service is in meltdown." The union's national chairman, Mike Rolfe, said members did not take the action lightly, but the service was "in meltdown" and things had to change "before any more lives are lost or blood is shed."
The union's national chairman, Mike Rolfe, said members did not take the action lightly, but the situations had to change "before any more lives are lost or blood is shed." The Prison Governors Association said it recognised the "extremely tough conditions" faced by officers, but it would not condone the action and the "significant additional risk this places all staff and prisoners under".
Earlier this month, Ms Truss unveiled a White Paper detailing £1.3bn investment in new prisons over the next five years, including plans for 2,100 extra prison officers, drug tests for inmates on entry and exit from prisons, and more autonomy for governors. It said it had held meetings with Ms Truss and was "convinced that safety and decency was at the top of her agenda".
Six prison governors had been due to give evidence to a Commons justice committee on Tuesday morning but, because of the action, the hearing was postponed. Earlier this month, she unveiled a White Paper detailing £1.3bn investment in new prisons over the next five years, including plans for 2,100 extra prison officers, drug tests for inmates on entry and exit from prisons, and more autonomy for governors.
Analysis: Danny Shaw, home affairs correspondentAnalysis: Danny Shaw, home affairs correspondent
Section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is the piece of legislation that in effect bans prison officers from taking industrial action.Section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is the piece of legislation that in effect bans prison officers from taking industrial action.
It says ministers can bring legal proceedings against anyone who "induces" a prison officer to "withhold" their services or "commit a breach of discipline".It says ministers can bring legal proceedings against anyone who "induces" a prison officer to "withhold" their services or "commit a breach of discipline".
The last time a prison "strike" ended up in the courts was in 2007 - following a dispute about pay. A legal injunction designed to stop the action was granted and extended the following year.The last time a prison "strike" ended up in the courts was in 2007 - following a dispute about pay. A legal injunction designed to stop the action was granted and extended the following year.
In 2012, when prison officers walked out over pension changes, along with other public sector workers, ministers threatened to go the courts but never did.In 2012, when prison officers walked out over pension changes, along with other public sector workers, ministers threatened to go the courts but never did.
Since then, a series of short union "meetings" outside jails have been held, at various times, but none has resulted in legal proceedings. Until today.Since then, a series of short union "meetings" outside jails have been held, at various times, but none has resulted in legal proceedings. Until today.
The protest began at midnight and comes after multiple high-profile incidents at prisons across England.The protest began at midnight and comes after multiple high-profile incidents at prisons across England.
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.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.And earlier this month prisoners caused almost £1m of damage during a riot at Bedford prison.
Days later at HMP Isle of Wight, an inmate cut a prison officer's throat with a razor blade on the way back to his cell.Days later at HMP Isle of Wight, an inmate cut a prison officer's throat with a razor blade on the way back to his cell.
The mother of two prison officers has told the BBC she is "frightened every day" for the safety of her sons.The mother of two prison officers has told the BBC she is "frightened every day" for the safety of her sons.
Prison officers are looking "for safety not money" but face violence, long hours and staff shortages, she said, adding: "It just desperately needs sorting... before it all blows up for officers and prisoners."Prison officers are looking "for safety not money" but face violence, long hours and staff shortages, she said, adding: "It just desperately needs sorting... before it all blows up for officers and prisoners."
National Offender Management Service chief executive Michael Spurr agreed there were "serious issues about safety in prisons", but the industrial action was "disappointing, unnecessary and dangerous".National Offender Management Service chief executive Michael Spurr agreed there were "serious issues about safety in prisons", but the industrial action was "disappointing, unnecessary and dangerous".
Six prison governors had been due to give evidence to a Commons justice committee on Tuesday morning but, because of the action, the hearing was postponed.