Four prison staff in hospital after attacks - POA

Four prison staff had to be taken to hospital after being assaulted at a jail in Liverpool, their trade union has said.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) said the attacks happened against a backdrop of guards having to work solo on wings with up to 60 prisoners on.

Mark Fairhurst, who is both the national chairman of the POA and a HMP Liverpool prison officer, said an increase in the number of violent prisoners housed in the jail was adding to the problems facing staff.

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPSS) said it took staff welfare "extremely seriously".

Mr Fairhurst said: "Quite simply, the staffing levels on each wing when we are unlocking prisoners are not safe."

After the assaults last week, staff "retreated to a safe place and held a POA meeting so the committee could address these concerns with the senior management team", he said.

He added that prison management had "lost the dressing room", adding there was a "lack of empathy and sympathy".

"In every conflict that I've been involved in it has been the management that has caused it but it has been the staff who have got the blame."

His comments came after a the Liverpool Echo reported that a female prison guard had had her head split open during one incident at the 750-inmate jail.

A spokesman for HMPSS said: "Those found guilty of causing harm to our hard-working frontline officers should expect to face the full force of the law."

The spokesman added HMPSS considered staff welfare "incredibly seriously", adding: "We meet regularly with the POA to discuss any issues or concerns and will continue to do so."

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