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MoJ criticised for attempted legal action against POA
Jail staff voice fury over inaction as violence spirals across prison estate
POA members protest outside HMP Bedford today after a damning report warned of a ‘dangerous lack of control’ at the jail

MINISTERS’ legal threats against prison officers protesting against dangerous conditions were slammed by Labour and the trade unions today.

The POA launched protests outside dozens of jails tis morning after Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke invoked the urgent notification protocol at HMP Bedford.

Mr Clarke told Justice Secretary David Gauke that prisoners are "effectively in control" of the facility, which has the highest rate of assaults on staff in Britain.

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