Latest editorial
Serious assaults on prison officers have increased by nearly half since the coalition took power, the government admitted yesterday.
A total of 543 assaults by prisoners on officers were referred to the police in 2012 - three attacks every two days and 45 per cent more than the 374 in 2010.
But prison officers union POA said the real figures were "significantly higher" because assaults are underreported.
Our members face serious violence, crumbling workplaces and exposure to dangerous drugs — it is outrageous we still cannot legally use our industrial muscle to fight back and defend ourselves, writes STEVE GILLAN
MARK FAIRHURST highlights the main issues facing officers in a long neglected service, and raised by front-line delegates at POA conference last week, including understaffing, violence, bullying and the ongoing denial of workers’ right to strike
Working in a high-risk sector, prison officers’ calls for proper PPE must be heeded – and the POA will be fighting to ensure effective protection at work is delivered, writes MARK FAIRHURST
