Prison violence emergency: 1 in 4 staff attacked
Trade unions issue call to arms over ‘escalating’ crisis of a jail system in total meltdown
AN INVESTIGATION must be launched into the “escalating health and safety emergency” of rising violence against prison workers, a coalition of nine trade unions demanded today.
The Safe Inside campaign was launched by the Joint Unions in Prisons Alliance (Jupa) after its survey of prison staff revealed shocking levels of threats and violence by inmates.
The number of attacks against prison staff is at a record level. 10,213 attacks were recorded in 2018 — an average of almost 28 a day — according to the latest official figures.
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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
