via mainstream media
Two prisoners attack a screw before being thrown into isolation cells in the latest incident in HMP UK:
A prison officer had his face cut by a blade during a disturbance on Friday night involving two prisoners at a jail where inspectors had recently raised concerns over staff shortages.
The incident at HMP Swaleside, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, began when two prisoners climbed on to netting strung between walkways designed to stop items being thrown to the ground.
A series of “small fires” were reported at about 5.30pm at the cat B prison, and Kent fire and rescue confirmed that two fire engines were dispatched to the scene. The South East Coast ambulance service was also called.
The Prison Officers’ Association said the injury to the officer was caused by a bladed instrument. Ministry of Justice officials said a prison officer was injured but insisted the incident was brought quickly under control.
A report published last week on an inspection of Swaleside found staff vacancies were affecting every area of the prison.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons said Swaleside was seriously affected by staff vacancies and the prison service nationally needed to take urgent steps to maintain appropriate staffing levels.
Research by campaigners the Howard League for Penal Reform that the number of prison officers in Swaleside was cut by 25% in almost four years – from 265 in August 2010 to 200 in June 2014.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said two inmates had been involved in the disturbance and confirmed an officer had been attacked.
She said: “Two prisoners gained access to internal netting in an isolated incident. A prison officer was injured and taken to hospital with facial injuries. He was discharged within a couple of hours.” But she said the incident was over before 11pm with both prisoners moved and no further injuries reported.
Fuck the Screws!
Fire to the Prisons!