PR 273: POA REACT TO TERRORIST ATTACK

Leaders of the POA have reacted angrily to a vicious attack on three Prison Officers working in a separation centre at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

The unprovoked attack on the Officers which occurred on Saturday 12^th April involved terrorist prisoner Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi.

The Officers received life threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds when Abedi threw hot cooking oil over them then produced home made weapons and proceeded to stab the Officers.

Commenting on the attack National Chair Mark Fairhurst stated:

“First and foremost, my thoughts are with the injured staff, their families and colleagues. No Officer should be subject to cowardly and vicious attacks at work. The POA will support our members as much as we need during this traumatic time, this attack displays the dangers brave Prison Officers face on a daily basis. Separation Centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely. We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change.”

General Secretary Steve Gillan added: 

“This is a disgraceful and cowardly attack on Prison Officers at Frankland prison who were carrying out their duties. Prison Officers keep the general public safe but at this moment in time our thoughts are with the affected Officers, their colleagues and their families. No one goes to work to be assaulted and the POA will assess this vindictive act and liaise with HMPPS, Ministers to get justice for those Prison Officers.”

  

ENDS

 

For further information, contact:

Mark Fairhurst                                                            07968 108284