Deerbolt prison offers protest at 'unacceptable level of violence'

PRISON officers took part in a 24-hour protest in front of Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution against an “unacceptable level of violence” in UK prisons.
Officers who took part in the protest on Tuesday, November 15, say that while there is no significant problem with violence at the Teesdale prison, the protest was held in support of the health and safety of colleagues based at other prisons across the country.
George Reilly, secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA) at Deerbolt, said: “Deerbolt is in quite a decent position because of the work done by the POA in conjunction with the new governor.
“He takes on board what is said and he works with the union to make the most of what there is in terms of officers and prisoners.”
Mr Reilly added that while officers had withdrawn their labour for the 24-hour protest action, they would return to their posts in the event of an emergency such as a fire or an emergency escort.
The secretary said 54 prison officers took part in the protest.
He added: “That is more than we would have in the gaol on a normal day, so we have the support of non-POA members and officers on rest days.”
Senior prison staff and non-POA members continued to run the prison while the protest action took place.