Tasers to be issued to staff in male prisons in government crack down on violence
While the government tried to destroy the levels of “unacceptable” violence, it has been determined that TASERs will be given to some personnel in male prisons.
Specialist officers from Kidlington, Oxfordshire and Doncaster, South Yorkshire -based operational response and flexibility unit will be the first person equipped with electric stun weapons when the pilot is released on Monday.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said last week to participated in his base in Kidlington, “he was determined to keep prison staff safe.”
According to the Ministry of Justice, the hearing in the UK and Wales will work until enough data is collected to determine whether TASERS needs to be used more widely – but Ms. Mahmood said she hoped to update in autumn.
According to government data, the launch comes after the attack rates on prison staff last year reached record levels last year and increased by 13 percent by December 2024 in 12 months. There was also a 10,496 attack on the staff from 12 months to September 2024 – an increase of 23 percent from the last 12 months and a new summit.
The unions welcomed the new hearing, but called for the government to appeal to the roots of violence in prison.
Last week, civil servants showed how to use it on violent prisoners in scenarios, where there is an important threat to security such as hostage situations or uprisings.
Speaking to the journalists at Kidlington Base, Mahmood said, “I inherited a situation with completely unacceptable violence. I do not want to tolerate it. I am determined to do everything I can to keep the prison staff safe.
“They want TASERS to be allowed to be used in our prison for years and years and I am very glad to be able to green this experiment.”
In April this year, Manchester Arena Plotter Hashem Abedi targeted prison staff in HMP Frankland with a planned ambush with boiling oil and homemade weapons. In prison in Brasside, four prison officials were injured and three were taken to hospital.
“Frankland really forced these measures to be presented more, Mah said Mahmood.
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is also claimed to attacked a prison officer in HMP Belmarsh in May.
The bosses of the Union asked the officers to be given knife vests and protective equipment, Mrs. Mahmood was told in June to wear body armor in the close control centers, separation centers and separation units in the highest prison categories in England and Wales.
The trial will use the TASER 7 model that produces 50,000 volts when it is fired and will fall to 1,500 volts in contact with the skin to neutralize the voltage target. The T7 is also a two -shot weapon and allows officers to shoot for the second time if they miss their goals for the first time.
Officers told Mahmood last week, Tasters’ tactical vests will be worn by the officers in tactical vests and prisoners will be made visible as a deterrent, he said. They also added that the device has also collected the data that will contribute to the experiment.
Officers can already access Batons and Pava Spray, a synthetic pepper spray form in men’s prisons in the public sector.
The Ministry of Justice, which is announced in April Pava Spray, will be presented to a certain number of expert personnel in three public sectors, including Yoi Wetherby and Feltham A.
The Tail Case is part of a package of £ 40 million, including 10 million £ 10 million for anti -drone measures, such as new focus and reinforced windows last month.
MoJ spokesman, “civil servants will be subject to solid accountability measures, each deployment of a TASER will be reviewed,” he said.
“POA will always support any attempt to help protect our members.
“However, as much as this initiative, we need to discuss the reasons why prison officials need TASER in the first place.
“Violence in our prisons came out of control and unrelated prison executives preferred to put the prison regime before the safety of the staff.
“We need urgent action to address other root causes of extremely crowded, inadequate, drugs and prison violence.”
