Press releases

REF: PR/012/08

DATE: 2nd May 2008

To: MPs
ALL POLITICAL EDITORS
ALL INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENTS

PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO

UNION BOSS CALLS FOR STAB PROOF VESTS FOR PRISON STAFF

Colin Moses, National Chairman of the POA is calling for the urgent introduction of stab proof vests for uniformed staff working within prisons following another incident where an officer was stabbed.

The POA have raised this matter with the Prison Service and believe it should be part of the prison uniform.  Unfortunately, to date this request has fallen on deaf ears.

Mr Moses said:

“It is inconceivable in today’s violent society the uniformed grades who look after those convicted of the most serious crimes are not given the same level of personal protection as that afforded to the police.  Some staff fear so much for their own safety that they have purchased their own stab proof vest only to be told by the employer that it is not official uniform and cannot be worn.  I call on the Prison Service and Ministry of Justice to take immediate action to protect the health and safety of the professional men and women who work in our prisons”.

For further information contact:
POA Press Office: 020 8803 0255 Option 7

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