Prison officers are to demand that staff be given electric stun guns to protect themselves while guarding the UK's most dangerous jails when they meet the justice secretary on Wednesday. The meeting with Shabana Mahmood comes after Hashem Abedi, one of the men responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing,threw hot oil at officers and stabbed them with makeshift weaponsat HMP Frankland in County Durham. Mark Fairhurst, national chair of the Prison Officers' Association (POA), told the BBC that they are "calling for the tactical use of taser". In a statement, Mahmood said "we must do to better protect our prison officers in the future". Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Fairhurst said: "My concerns are that when we face life threatening situations, we no longer have tactical options. "If extendible batons and incapacitant spray fail to work adequately, we have no other options available." "That's why we are calling for the tactical use of taser. We want specially trained staff on site who respond to incidents with the ability to deploy taser to neutralise that threat. "At the moment we haven't got that." Prison officers currently only carry an extendable baton and Pava incapacitant spray - synthetic pepper spray. The POA will also renew calls for all staff to have stab vests. Mr Fairhurst has also called for American "Supermax"-style rules imposed on the UK's most dangerous inmates. This would mean selected high-risk inmates would leave their cell only when handcuffed and escorted by three staff, he told theGuardiannewspaper. There would also would be no mixing with other prisoners, and they would be restricted to their basic entitlement of rights and privileges. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said there will be a full, independent review into the incident, which has drawn criticism fromsurvivors and the families of victimsof the Manchester Arena bombing. Security measures at the separation centre did allow prisoners access to kitchens - where Abedi carried out his attack - but this was suspended by MoJ following the incident. Mahmood said the review would "provide recommendations and findings that highlight whether there are any changes in process or policies that can be implemented at HMP Frankland and more broadly across the High Security Estate". An internal review into protective body armour will be also carried out, she said. There was no mention of electric stun guns in the statement. Abedi, who helped his older brother Salman plan the Manchester Arena bombing, was jailed for life with a minimum 55 years in prison after being convicted of murdering 22 people. He had been held in a separation centre - which holds a small number of inmates deemed to be dangerous and extremist - at Frankland. He moved to Frankland after carrying out an earlier attack on prison officers in Belmarsh prison in 2020, for which three years and 10 months was added to his sentence. Abedi has since been moved to London's high-security Belmarsh prison.
Prison staff to demand electric stun guns in jails
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Prison Officers Demand Tasers for Protection Following Assaults"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Prison officers in the UK are set to demand the implementation of electric stun guns, known as tasers, for staff working in the country's most dangerous jails. This request will be presented during a meeting with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, following a recent violent incident at HMP Frankland, where Hashem Abedi, convicted of his role in the Manchester Arena bombing, attacked officers with hot oil and makeshift weapons. Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers' Association (POA), emphasized the need for tactical options to protect officers in life-threatening situations, noting that current equipment, which includes only extendable batons and Pava incapacitant spray, is inadequate. Fairhurst has called for specially trained staff to be available on-site to deploy tasers when necessary, asserting that the absence of such options puts officers at significant risk during confrontations with dangerous inmates.
In addition to the call for tasers, the POA is urging for all prison staff to be provided with stab vests to enhance their safety. Fairhurst has also suggested adopting stricter security measures akin to those in American Supermax prisons for high-risk inmates, which would involve handcuffing these individuals during movement and limiting their interaction with other prisoners. The Ministry of Justice has announced a full independent review of the incident at HMP Frankland, which has faced scrutiny from families of the Manchester Arena bombing victims. The review aims to assess current processes and policies to determine necessary changes across the High Security Estate. Mahmood confirmed that the review would include an evaluation of protective body armor for staff, although no specific mention of tasers was made in her statement. Abedi, who has a history of violence in prison, was previously moved from Belmarsh to Frankland after attacking officers and has since been relocated back to Belmarsh, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding the management of dangerous inmates within the prison system.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent announcement regarding the demand for electric stun guns by prison staff in the UK reflects a growing concern over the safety of officers in high-risk environments. This issue has surfaced in light of a violent incident involving Hashem Abedi, a convicted terrorist, who attacked prison officers with makeshift weapons. The call for enhanced security measures serves multiple purposes, both in terms of immediate safety for prison staff and broader implications for policy and public perception surrounding prison management.
Safety Concerns and Policy Implications
Prison officers are expressing legitimate concerns about their safety, as highlighted by Mark Fairhurst's statements regarding the inadequacy of current tools such as extendable batons and incapacitant sprays. The insistence on tactical tasers indicates a push for more effective self-defense options in increasingly violent environments. This demand aligns with broader trends in law enforcement, where the use of less-lethal weapons is becoming more accepted as a means to protect personnel and maintain order.
Public Perception and Fear
The article aims to evoke a sense of urgency and concern among the public regarding the dangers faced by prison staff. By referencing a high-profile case like the Manchester Arena bombing, it strategically taps into existing fears about terrorism and prison violence. This framing may lead the public to support the introduction of tasers as a necessary measure for ensuring safety, thereby shaping opinions on prison reform and security policies.
Potential Hidden Agendas
While the focus is on the immediate safety of officers, there might be underlying motives related to the broader criminal justice system's approach to handling dangerous inmates. The mention of "Supermax" style regulations suggests a shift toward a more stringent and possibly punitive framework for managing high-risk prisoners. This could reflect a desire to enhance control over the inmate population, potentially masking issues related to prison overcrowding and rehabilitation.
Comparative Context and Connections
When compared with other reports on prison violence and officer safety, there is a noticeable trend towards advocating for increased security measures in correctional facilities. This article fits within a larger narrative about the need for reform in the justice system, particularly regarding the treatment of violent offenders. Such connections might foster a dialogue about the adequacy of current prison systems and ignite discussions on budget allocations for improving safety protocols.
Impact on Society and Economy
The push for tasers and increased safety measures has the potential to influence societal attitudes towards prisons and the criminal justice system. If public support grows for these measures, it may lead to increased funding for prison security, impacting budget allocations across social services. Additionally, heightened security in prisons could affect the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society, with potential long-term economic consequences.
Support from Specific Communities
This news is likely to resonate more with communities concerned about public safety, law enforcement, and the prison system, including families of victims of violent crimes. Advocacy groups for prison staff may also rally behind this movement, emphasizing the need for better protection for those working in high-risk environments.
Market Implications
While this news may not directly impact stock markets, companies involved in manufacturing law enforcement equipment, including tasers and personal protective gear, might see a rise in interest as discussions around prison safety evolve. Additionally, the overall security sector could benefit from a shift in policy, potentially leading to increased investments.
Global Context
This development does not have a significant direct impact on global power dynamics, but it reflects broader trends in how nations approach prison safety and law enforcement. As countries grapple with issues of crime and punishment, the UK’s decisions may influence other nations facing similar challenges in managing high-risk inmates.
The language used in the report is assertive and focused on the necessity of reform, which may manipulate public perception to favor the proposed changes. The emphasis on specific incidents and the framing of the discussion could be seen as a strategy to galvanize support for the taser initiative.
Overall, this article presents a complex issue that intertwines safety, public perception, and policy reform. The trustworthiness of the information depends on the balanced representation of facts and the motivations behind the calls for change within the prison system.