Jail staff in strike threat row

Officials from the Prison Officers’ Association say four of officers have had to take time away from work after being assaulted by inmates at Lindholme Prison, while another four have been off with injuries at HMP Moorland after attacks.

The most recent assault was on Wednesday when an officer at Moorland was taken away by ambulance after being attacked by an inmate who had been told he could not make a telephone call.

In the previous week a female officer was punched in the face at Lindholme, according to Prison Officers Association secretary Kev Boswell, who says such assaults were virtually unknown there just four years ago.

The news comes after the POA voted for industrial action up to and including “strike action” in a ballot over their latest pay deal.