WARNING SOME OF THESE PHOTOS ARE EXTREMELY GRAPHIC AND UPSETTING

(See the latest issue of Gatelodge to see the horrific images that accompany this article)

Our campaign to tackle violence in the workplace goes to Westminster

Violence against POA members is once again on the increase. I take no pleasure in highlighting some very graphic images of our members who have been attacked in the workplace. All these pictures have the express permission of our members to be published.

As upsetting as it may be for individuals to look at these images in a magazine, it is just as upsetting for those POA members who have been assaulted, and it is very upsetting for those individuals’ families to see them returning from work with life-changing injuries. As a result, I make no apologies for continually highlighting this growing issue.

THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

The POA will continue to campaign until we see a reduction in violence in the workplace. We will be taking our campaign to parliament by inviting politicians of all parties to drop-in surgeries where they can meet some of the individuals who have been assaulted in the workplace. We will also invite the families of those injured to attend so that MPs get to understand the impact these violent attacks have on their family life.

THE RISK OF INJURY

It is recognised that prisons will always carry a risk of violence to our members, but what is not acceptable is allowing assaults to spiral out of control. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, there is a legal responsibility on employers to minimise risks in the workplace. The POA has been campaigning for a significant time to reduce the risk of razor attacks on our members. We believe it is time to withdraw razors and replace them with battery-operated razors such as HMPPS has already done with some success at HMP Whitemoor. It is recognised that this will not totally eradicate violent attacks on POA members, but what it will do is reduce the risk in the workplace.

CLEAR POLICY ON VIOLENCE REDUCTION

There needs to be a clear policy on violence reduction in our workplaces that protects staff and educates prisoners that assaults on each other or staff will be treated with zero tolerance.

There needs to be better legal protections against assaults in the workplace. The legislation on assaults against emergency workers needs to be enacted by the Crown Prosecution Service and tougher sentences in the courts. That would be a real deterrent. Giving someone a concurrent rather than consecutive sentence is absolutely no deterrent whatsoever.

All too often the Crown Prosecution Service states that it isn't in the public interest of the public purse to prosecute because the individual is already serving a prison sentence. That should never be the case. It gives the green light to assault POA members in their respective workplaces.

POA WILL NOT STOP CAMPAIGNING FOR A ROYAL COMMISSION INQUIRY

The only way there will be a reduction in prison violence is when a Royal Commission is implemented and there is a full public inquiry that deals with a root-and-branch review of prisons and the criminal justice system in general. There needs to be an urgent debate about what prisons are for. Until such time as this happens, we will just be scratching the surface of everything that is wrong with the system. We will not see any progress and prisons will continue to be just a revolving door with no prospect of keeping the public safe or, indeed, rehabilitating offenders so they do not return to a life of crime.

The ultimate aim should be not increasing the prison population, but instead steering individuals away from prison, and ensuring those with mental health issues receive the correct treatment in the community. Prisons should not be the default position of those needing mental health treatment.

Prisons are clearly needed to protect the public from serious offenders but others should be given community sentences that are purposeful and meaningful and in which the general public has confidence. Prison places are expensive and those held on remand should be dealt with quickly and effectively by the courts.

A PRISON SERVICE FIT FOR THE FUTURE

By reducing the prison population, ensuring it is only those who need to be in prison to protect the public, will mean that staff can meaningfully engage in key work that reduces offending behaviour. At the same time, if there are manageable numbers of offenders, this may also lead to a reduction in levels of violence. Since 2010, violence against staff has increased by 190 per cent and serious assaults on staff has risen by 145 per cent. That is totally unacceptable and cannot be ignored.

Building new prisons is simply not the answer to the problems of crime. A fundamental review is what is required. The £4 billion that it will cost in the future for new prisons needs to be put on hold until such time as an inquiry is held as to what we want our prisons to be.

Warehousing offenders has never been the answer and, if we are serious about rehabilitation, then prison staff need to be given the tools and resources to do it. That £4 billion would be better spent elsewhere.

The opportunity is there for political parties to engage with the POA on what works. After all, we are the ones with the expertise as the largest trade union in the Prison Service.

 

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary