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| HMP Liverpool: Four guards in hospital after attacks, union says | |
| (10 days later) | |
| HMP Liverpool has about 750 male inmates based in eight wings | HMP Liverpool has about 750 male inmates based in eight wings |
| Four prison staff had to be taken to hospital after being assaulted at a jail in Liverpool, their trade union has said. | Four prison staff had to be taken to hospital after being assaulted at a jail in Liverpool, their trade union has said. |
| The Prison Officers Association (POA) said the attacks happened against a backdrop of guards having to work solo on wings with up to 60 prisoners on. | The Prison Officers Association (POA) said the attacks happened against a backdrop of guards having to work solo on wings with up to 60 prisoners on. |
| Mark Fairhurst, who is both the national chairman of the POA and a HMP Liverpool prison officer, said an increase in the number of violent prisoners housed in the jail was adding to the problems facing staff. | Mark Fairhurst, who is both the national chairman of the POA and a HMP Liverpool prison officer, said an increase in the number of violent prisoners housed in the jail was adding to the problems facing staff. |
| His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPSS) said it took staff welfare "extremely seriously". | His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPSS) said it took staff welfare "extremely seriously". |
| Mr Fairhurst said: "Quite simply, the staffing levels on each wing when we are unlocking prisoners are not safe." | Mr Fairhurst said: "Quite simply, the staffing levels on each wing when we are unlocking prisoners are not safe." |
| After the assaults last week, staff "retreated to a safe place and held a POA meeting so the committee could address these concerns with the senior management team", he said. | After the assaults last week, staff "retreated to a safe place and held a POA meeting so the committee could address these concerns with the senior management team", he said. |
| He added that prison management had "lost the dressing room", adding there was a "lack of empathy and sympathy". | He added that prison management had "lost the dressing room", adding there was a "lack of empathy and sympathy". |
| "In every conflict that I've been involved in it has been the management that has caused it but it has been the staff who have got the blame." | "In every conflict that I've been involved in it has been the management that has caused it but it has been the staff who have got the blame." |
| His comments came after a the Liverpool Echo reported that a female prison guard had had her head split open during one incident at the 750-inmate jail. | |
| A spokesman for HMPSS said: "Those found guilty of causing harm to our hard-working frontline officers should expect to face the full force of the law." | A spokesman for HMPSS said: "Those found guilty of causing harm to our hard-working frontline officers should expect to face the full force of the law." |
| The spokesman added HMPSS considered staff welfare "incredibly seriously", adding: "We meet regularly with the POA to discuss any issues or concerns and will continue to do so." | The spokesman added HMPSS considered staff welfare "incredibly seriously", adding: "We meet regularly with the POA to discuss any issues or concerns and will continue to do so." |
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