Big Payouts to Injured Prison Officers in Welsh Jails Raise Concerns
Over £1.4 million has been paid to injured staff in Welsh prisons, highlighting serious safety issues.
Wales, Prison Officers, HMP Cardiff, Compensation, Injuries
Cardiff: It’s been reported that over £1.4 million has been paid out to prison staff injured while on the job in Welsh prisons. HMP Cardiff seems to be the biggest contributor, with nearly £500,000 in settlements over the past five years.
A recent Freedom of Information request revealed that all Welsh prisons, including HMP Swansea, HMP Berwyn, and HMP Usk, have made payouts to staff or former staff from 2019 to 2024. Interestingly, this doesn’t even cover the privately-run Parc prison, which has been in the news for some troubling issues.
Breaking it down, Cardiff had the highest payouts at £471,128, followed closely by Berwyn at £438,669. Usk and Swansea also had their share, with £325,940 and £190,899 respectively. The data shows there were over 32 claims from Berwyn staff alone, but exact yearly numbers are kept under wraps for privacy reasons.
In total, there were more than 1,600 claims from UK prison staff, with 592 settled. Many of these claims were for assaults by inmates or injuries while restraining prisoners. Other claims included everything from falls to allergic reactions. It’s a pretty serious situation.
With the number of prisoners rising sharply over the years, prison officer staffing hasn’t really kept pace. On any given day, there are about eight assaults on staff. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice pointed out that overcrowding and neglect have put a strain on staff, and they’re working on improving conditions to cut down on these compensation claims.
They also mentioned that prison officers are now using synthetic pepper spray and body cameras to help keep them safe. The government is investing in better security and maintenance, and they’re serious about holding violent prisoners accountable.
Lucy Parker, a solicitor, emphasized that prison staff face unique challenges daily. If they get hurt due to negligence, they absolutely have the right to seek compensation. It’s important for them to know their rights and get proper legal advice.
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