Four prison staff members were hospitalized following violent incidents at His Majesty's Prison (HMP) Liverpool, raising serious concerns about the safety and management of the facility, according to the Prison Officers Association (POA).
The assaults occurred within the jail's challenging environment where guards were reportedly working solo on wings supervising as many as 60 prisoners at once. Mark Fairhurst, both the national chairman of the POA and a prison officer at HMP Liverpool, voiced his apprehensions about the increasing number of violent inmates contributing to unsafe conditions for staff.
Fairhurst emphasized, “Quite simply, the staffing levels on each wing when we are unlocking prisoners are not safe.” This statement highlights the pressing issue of inadequate staffing amid rising tensions and violent outbreaks.
Following the assaults last week, the affected staff sought refuge and convened for a POA meeting to address their concerns with senior management. During this meeting, Fairhurst criticized the prison management, stating, “They have lost the dressing room,” and lamenting the apparent “lack of empathy and sympathy” from leadership.
His comments come after reports from the Liverpool Echo, which detailed one particularly grievous incident where a female guard sustained severe injuries, with her head being split open during the attack. Such incidents point to the severe risks prison officers face daily.
A spokesperson from the His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPSS) reiterated the organization’s commitment to staff welfare, stating, “Those found guilty of causing harm to our hard-working frontline officers should expect to face the full force of the law.” They also confirmed their serious approach to welfare issues, mentioning, “We meet regularly with the POA to discuss any issues or concerns and will continue to do so.”
Despite these reassurances, the POA maintains there are significant issues requiring immediate attention, particularly relating to the safety of staff and the conditions under which they operate. Fairhurst stressed, “I have been involved in every conflict, and it has been management who has caused it, but it has been the staff who have got the blame.” This statement is emblematic of the wider systemic problems within the prison environment, where management’s practices are coming under fire for not adequately protecting their employees.
The situation at HMP Liverpool is not isolated. Across the country, prison staff have been increasingly vocal about their concerns over safety, working conditions, and the treatment of both staff and inmates. This has prompted the POA to demand urgent reviews and changes at various facilities to prevent similar occurrences.
The growing number of violent prisoners and the pressures of working solo on busy wings are leading to a crisis point, according to critics. Fairhurst's remarks reflect not only the strain on the staff at HMP Liverpool but also the urgent need for reforms within the entire prison management system.
With four guards currently hospitalized and calls for greater security measures being voiced from within the institution, it remains to be seen how HMPSS will respond. Unless substantial adjustments are made to staffing protocols and the management of violent situations, incidents like these are likely to continue, placing both officers and inmates at risk.