Prison officers at HMP Gartree are to be kitted out with cans of pepper spray to help them combat increasing violence among inmates.Following successful trials in four jails, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart has said the synthetic PAVA spray will now be rolled out at all complexes housing male convicts, including the prison near Market Harborough.
He says the incapacitant had proven to be a successful deterrent during the test phase: “The mere fact that an officer is wearing the canister on their belt acts as a deterrent and can prevent incidents getting out of hand.”
Attacks on Prison Officers at Gartree have doubled in the past year – with 53 reported, and violent incidents increased from 87 to 134.
The Prison Officers’ Association blames government cuts in staff numbers.
Prison Officers at Gartree held a protest last month over increasing levels of violence
