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The decision to trial the use of Tasers in prisons comes in the aftermath of guards being injured by Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, as confirmed by the justice secretary. The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) had previously advocated for guards to be equipped with electric stun guns following Abedi’s use of makeshift weapons to assault staff at HMP Frankland, a high-security prison in County Durham. This move towards enhancing defenses to protect prison staff and the public was emphasized by Shabana Mahmood during a statement to the Commons on Tuesday.
Despite calls for the immediate implementation of electric stun guns by POA chairman Mark Fairhurst, who expressed concerns about potential fatalities among members, a trial period will be initiated. Three guards were hospitalized after the attack on 12 April, with one still in stable condition and the other two having been discharged. Abedi was housed in a separation wing designated for the most dangerous and extremist prisoners during the time of the assault, where he utilized kitchen equipment to create weapons. Mahmood confirmed the commencement of a trial on the use of Tasers by HM Prison and Probation service as a response to the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for prison staff.
An independent review into the incident is set to determine the circumstances that led to the attack and propose further measures for protecting prison staff, as well as assessing the operational procedures of separation centers. Mahmood had previously initiated a review into the utilization of protective body armor for prison staff. Mr. Fairhurst emphasized the immediate danger faced by prison officers in light of the recent attack, advocating for the swift deployment of electric stun guns in all high-security facilities under the supervision of trained staff. This sentiment was also supported by the fact that currently, prison officers are only equipped with an extendable baton and synthetic pepper spray for self-defense
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