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UK prison officers stage protest over health and safety fears UK prison officers stage protest over health and safety fears
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of prison officers across the UK have stopped working in a protest over health and safety concerns.Thousands of prison officers across the UK have stopped working in a protest over health and safety concerns.
The Prison Officers Association (POA) has directed its members to take part in a day of protest after negotiations with the government broke down.The Prison Officers Association (POA) has directed its members to take part in a day of protest after negotiations with the government broke down.
Steve Gillan, the POA’s general secretary, said as many as 10,000 prison workers would take part in the protest, providing only emergency cover.Steve Gillan, the POA’s general secretary, said as many as 10,000 prison workers would take part in the protest, providing only emergency cover.
The protest, which began at midnight, comes after a string of high-profile incidents at prisons, including an alleged murder, a riot and two inmates escaping.The protest, which began at midnight, comes after a string of high-profile incidents at prisons, including an alleged murder, a riot and two inmates escaping.
About 60 guards gathered in the car park within the gates of HMP Pentonville, in north London. Dave Todd, POA representative for London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said conditions in prisons were “volatile and dangerous”. About 60 guards gathered in the car park within the gates of HMP Pentonville in north London. Dave Todd, POA representative for London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said conditions in prisons were “volatile and dangerous”.
“We need to act to protect ourselves,” he said. “It has not come about quickly – it’s a buildup over probably years actually. Three years we have been suffering with recruitment retention issues. Last month, Lewes prison had a riot, Bedford prison had a riot, assaults are at an all-time high. There’s mobile phones and drugs in prisons. It’s just unsafe.“We need to act to protect ourselves,” he said. “It has not come about quickly – it’s a buildup over probably years actually. Three years we have been suffering with recruitment retention issues. Last month, Lewes prison had a riot, Bedford prison had a riot, assaults are at an all-time high. There’s mobile phones and drugs in prisons. It’s just unsafe.
“To me, prison officers taking this type of action speaks volumes for what’s happening inside.”“To me, prison officers taking this type of action speaks volumes for what’s happening inside.”
Todd also hit back at the MoJ, saying: “The Ministry of Justice will call it a strike, they will injunct through the courts. Unfortunately that’s how they like to conduct industrial relations. It’s a disgrace that you bully and intimidate working men and women like that.” Todd also hit back at the Ministry of Justice, saying: “The Ministry of Justice will call it a strike, they will injunct through the courts. Unfortunately that’s how they like to conduct industrial relations. It’s a disgrace that you bully and intimidate working men and women like that.”
He added that non-union staff were still working inside Pentonville, where custody vans were backed up outside the entrance on Tuesday morning.He added that non-union staff were still working inside Pentonville, where custody vans were backed up outside the entrance on Tuesday morning.
The Ministry of Justice said the industrial action was “unlawful” and unjustified. The MoJ said the industrial action was “unlawful” and unjustified.
Gillan said: “Every prison officer in England is commencing a protest outside their establishment against the disregard for health and safety of our prison officers and prisoners.” They will provide emergency cover for fires and medical incidents to protect prisoners’ wellbeing, he added.Gillan said: “Every prison officer in England is commencing a protest outside their establishment against the disregard for health and safety of our prison officers and prisoners.” They will provide emergency cover for fires and medical incidents to protect prisoners’ wellbeing, he added.
Prison officers cannot by law take part in a strike and Gillan admitted the day of action would be “interpreted as a strike”.Prison officers cannot by law take part in a strike and Gillan admitted the day of action would be “interpreted as a strike”.
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.
“The continued surge in violence and unprecedented levels of suicide and acts of self harm, coupled with the recent (alleged) murder and escapes, demonstrate that the service is in meltdown.” “The continued surge in violence and unprecedented levels of suicide and acts of self-harm, coupled with the recent (alleged) murder and escapes, demonstrate that the service is in meltdown.”
Two prisoners – including a convicted attempted murderer – escaped from Pentonville prison in north London on 7 November, sparking a manhunt during which they were eventually recaptured.Two prisoners – including a convicted attempted murderer – escaped from Pentonville prison in north London on 7 November, sparking a manhunt during which they were eventually recaptured.
Weeks earlier, on 18 October, inmate Jamal Mahmoud, 21, died after being stabbed at the jail in an attack that left two others injured. And on 6 November, up to 200 prisoners went on a rampage at HMP Bedford. Weeks earlier, on 18 October, inmate Jamal Mahmoud, 21, died after being stabbed at the jail in an attack that left two others injured. On 6 November, up to 200 prisoners went on a rampage at HMP Bedford.
An MoJ spokesman said: “There is no justification for this action. 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.An MoJ spokesman said: “There is no justification for this action. 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.
“The government has announced an additional 2,500 frontline officers to help reduce violence in prisons. 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.”“The government has announced an additional 2,500 frontline officers to help reduce violence in prisons. 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.”