House of Commons · Urgent Question
12 May 2025 · 21 other contributors
Opened by Robert Jenrick Con Newark
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Robert Jenrick raised concerns about protection of prison staff 2025-05-12 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the failure of the prison estate to protect staff from serious and sustained violence by high-risk inmates, particularly in light of recent assaults on prison officers? The urgency lies in the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of frontline staff who face increasing danger.
Question
Why has every prison officer exposed to dangerous inmates not already been provided with a stab vest—not in June, but today? Will the Minister commit to ordering the removal of every kettle from high-risk prisoners—not in June, but today?
Minister reply
We are managing extremely dangerous people and doing whatever it takes to keep staff safe. Kettles will be withdrawn if risk assessments identify a threat or intelligence suggests misuse. We trust professional skill and expertise, as kettles were used under the previous Government's watch for 14 years.
Question
What are the current Government doing to improve recruitment and retention of prison officers?
Minister reply
We inherited a prison system in crisis, but reducing violence is a priority. We have taken actions like building new prisons and reviewing sentencing to ensure dangerous people can be locked up.
Question
Will the review of protective equipment for prison officers be accelerated? What are the Government doing to address recruitment and retention issues?
Minister reply
The reviews need to be done properly and quickly, but they require input from those in the workforce. The Prison Officers Association has been engaged and commitments made.
Question
Does the Minister agree that overcrowding in prisons is a cause of increased violence towards our prison officers, and what steps are being taken to reduce overcrowding?
Minister reply
Prison overcrowding makes addressing issues harder. The Government have pledged to continue building 20,000 prison places, adding more than 2,000 in 10 months.
Question
Surely any prisoner who assaults a prison officer should automatically forfeit any right to early release and all privileges. Does the Minister agree?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member is right that anything happening should be dealt with immediately by the prison authorities, which is exactly what happens.
Question
Why are contracts for prison maintenance being retendered and will the report recommending more privatisation be released?
Minister reply
Contracts were in place when this Government came into office that needed to be taken forward to ensure safety. Contracts are always under review.
Question
Can the Minister provide more detail on the thinking regarding Taser use in prisons?
Minister reply
This summer, an operational trial involving specialised officers will be launched to help staff respond to high-risk incidents more effectively.
Question
Could the Minister liaise with the POA and urgently bring forward a report on staffing levels and training timescales for dealing with violent prisoners?
Minister reply
I am very happy to continue working with the Prison Officers Association and other staff associations to address these issues.
Question
The MP questions the Minister about what is being done to reduce levels of violence in prisons, noting that under the previous government violence escalated and staffing fell.
Minister reply
In response, the minister outlines measures such as a violence reduction training module for staff, security enhancements like X-ray body scanners, and efforts to address prison crowding. The Minister emphasises the need for ongoing vigilance.
Question
The MP asks if safety of prison officers should come before protecting criminals' rights, inquiring about the provision of stab vests and Tasers to all requesting officers.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that safety must come first. He confirms a review is underway on equipment needs.
Question
Inquiring about the increase in violence and reduction in staffing, the MP shares a personal account of a prison officer who retired due to safety concerns.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the award won by the prison officer and mentions existing actions like doubling penalties for assaulting emergency workers. He emphasises ongoing vigilance.
Question
The MP seeks a commitment from the Minister to meet with unions at the launch of an updated 'Safe Inside' prisons charter in July, and asks for the HMPPS to accept recommendations.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees to meet with unions but notes that until seeing the full charter it is premature to commit specifics.
Question
Referencing a violent attack on prison staff at HMP Frankland, the MP expresses concern over delayed issuance of stab-proof vests and requests prompt review.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that a review has been commissioned following recent incidents to determine routine use of protective body armour. This is expected by June.
Question
The MP urges the Minister to swiftly move towards de facto standard issuance of protective equipment based on operational intelligence.
Minister reply
Acknowledging the urgency, the Minister emphasises thorough review to ensure proper deployment.
Question
The MP raises specific concerns about equipment availability during violent incidents and requests changes in prisoner privileges.
Minister reply
Immediate access to kitchens has been withdrawn. Reviews on equipment are underway while ensuring due process.
Question
Inquiring about safety measures for prison officers both inside and outside prisons, the MP requests steps to address escalating terrorist activity.
Minister reply
The Minister commits to raising this issue at a five nations forum on prisons.
Question
The MP notes that prison officer cuts under the Conservatives led to unsafe conditions and asks about engagement with officers regarding safety changes.
Minister reply
Acknowledging immediate pay increases, the Minister confirms ongoing dialogue with associations.
Question
The MP suggests stripping high-risk offenders of all privileges and potentially placing them in solitary confinement to ensure prison officer safety.
Minister reply
While noting the seriousness, the Minister declines to comment on ongoing police investigations but commits to management measures.
Question
The MP asserts that severe punishment should be meted out for dangerous prisoners who threaten prison officer safety.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees on punishment and public protection but declines to comment due to ongoing investigations.
Question
Echoing concerns about worker safety across sectors, the MP requests assurances that measures will be taken to ensure prison officer safety.
Minister reply
The Minister reiterates ongoing efforts and review processes.
Government Response
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. I am shocked and saddened to hear about the serious assault against a prison officer that took place on Thursday 8 May at HMP Belmarsh. My thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the brave, hard-working prison officer at this time. We will not tolerate any violence against prison officers. Prisoners who are violent towards staff will face the full consequences of their actions. The incident is subject to a police investigation and an internal investigation by the Prison Service. On 22 April we announced an independent review into recent assaults, including Hashem Abedi's attack at HMP Frankland; further announcements will be made in due course. We are committed to ensuring prison officers' safety through measures like body-worn video cameras, batons, PAVA spray, rigid bar handcuffs, protective body armour for specialist staff, and reviews of conducted energy devices and self-cook areas access.