PR 274: POA RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE INCIDENT AT LOWDHAM GRANGE PRISON

Responding to reports of a violent incident at Lowdham Grange Prison, Geoff Willetts the NEC Rep for the Midlands of the Prison Officers' Association said, 

"This incident at Lowdham Grange is the latest in a long line of violent incidents in our Prisons but this latest attack was of such a nature that it demanded a response from the Specialist National Tactical Response Unit. There seems to be an increasing need for this group to be deployed due to frequent call outs to address rising prison violence and an ever increasing prison population, which brings its own demands and pressures on recruitment, retention and the training of staff, all of which is paramount to delivering a safe regime. 

The POA has demanded an urgent meeting with the Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood to discuss how those on the frontline are protected. All Prison Officers need to be issued with effective PPE, including stab vests, we need to end overcrowding and understaffing, and we need the support of management to enforce a prison regime that is safe for all who work in it and the prisoners we look after." 

 

ENDS

 

For further information, contact:

Geoff Willetts                                                              07494 141743