With the incidents of violence against prison staff reaching an all-time high (assaults almost trebling in the last decade) I brought a debate in Parliament last week asking that all prison staff be issued with protective body armour.
Nationally, in the 12 months to March 2025 (the latest available figures) there were more than 10,500 incidents. Of those 26 per cent involved improvised weapons, while the rest involved blunt force or liquids such as hot oil or boiling water.
Figures for our local women’s prison and young offender’s institute Styal, mirror that increase, with 189 assaults on staff and 167 assaults between prisoners in the 12 months to March last year.
Life as a prison officer, even at the best of times, is extremely challenging. They must confront and contain unthinkable situations almost daily and to do the job, and they possess a level of bravery that most of us simply do not have. But to do the job without proper protective gear is beyond belief.
A recent survey of staff by the Prison Officer’s Association found 74 per cent want slash and bite proof vests so we must make this happen.
In the debate, I called for mandatory protective equipment for our officers and will keep fighting for this. During my speech I pointed to a ruling earlier this year by the High Court which was a huge slap in the face for our hard-working prison staff. Killers and terrorists received £1 million in compensation, plus legal fees, for being segregated alone in a prison. It was viewed as unlawful and in breach of their human rights. Surely money cannot be spent on violent criminals for their human rights when we are not looking after the human rights of our officers. It is hardly surprising that more than 13 per cent of staff are quitting the prison service each year.
