Death a stark reminder of danger facing security staff

The Community trade union announced urgent talks with security company Serco and called for the government to carry out an urgent review of the security of staff, including staffing levels, following the death of prison escort officer Lorraine Barwell.

Barwell died from her injuries following a serious assault at Blackfriars Crown Court earlier this month. Community National Officer Adrian Axtell called for “safe operating solutions for all our members, regardless of which government contract they are working on”.

The public and commercial services PCS union said her death was “a sad reminder of the dangerous nature of the job those who protect the public and work with offenders do on a daily basis”. It urged the government, as well as prison and court employers, to do everything they can to ensure the safety and security of their staff.

Prison officers’ union POA said that “this unspeakable crime should serve to remind the public and politicians of the violent and unpredictable nature of the criminal justice workplace”.

It added: “This is not about public good, private bad or vice versa, but a stark illustration that staff within the criminal justice system care for and control violent criminals 24 hours a day every day of the year in the essential protection of the public.”

www.community-tu.org/who-we-are/news/prison-officer-dies.aspx

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/03/female-security-guard-lorraine-barwell-dies-assault