Prisons housing failed bombers ‘need more investment’
The government is being urged to make available greater funding for the prison service following the revelation of an explosion at the high security Whitemoor prison.
An investigation is currently underway into how inmates at the Cambridgeshire jail, who reportedly include Saajid Badat, jailed for his involvement with the shoe bomber Richard Reid, were able to set off a small explosive device last week.
But the chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA) has warned that without additional investment similar to that received by police forces in the wake of the terrorist attacks, more explosions could occur.
Colin Moses said failed suicide bombers were a different category of prisoner to those previously housed in Britain’s jails, and demanded a different approach.
“We believe it could be a problem that could grow in future with the type of prisoners we are now expecting in our prisons,” he told PM.
“When you are dealing with desperate people, they go to desperate ends. It must be remembered that those who are placed in our charge from the courts, are among some of the most dangerous criminals in Western Europe.”
He said it was not the first time explosions had occurred in prisons in England and Wales, citing several incidents in institutions where members of the IRA were held.
“What is being missed here is the type of prisoner that we are now being expected to hold. What the POA is asking for is greater investment in our prisons with the growing threat that could be borne out of suicide bombers being held in our prisons,” he said.
Mr Moses added: “I am very worried and concerned for the safety of staff and the safety of inmates. What we want is to run well-controlled prisons, but to do that we must have investment and we must look at the situations we face.”
