The petition of residents of the constituency of Washington and Gateshead South
Declares that the government and prison authorities should make anti-stab and anti-slash protective gear mandatory for all prison officers. There is also a separate online petition on this issue, which has generated over 32,000 signatures.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to ensure that all prison officers are equipped with mandatory anti-stab and anti-slash protective gear to keep them safe from violent prisoners.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Official Report, 18 June 2025; Vol. 769, c. 543.]
[P003083]
Observations from Lord Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reoffending, Ministry of Justice
Staff must be able to expect a safe and decent work environment. We will not tolerate any violence against prison officers and prisoners who are violent towards staff will face the full consequences of their actions. To protect our brave and hard-working prison officers, we commissioned a rapid review of the use of protective body armour—also known as stab-proof vests—in our prisons. Following that review, on 3 June, the Lord Chancellor announced that we will be mandating PBA for use in separation centres, close supervision centres and segregation units in the long-term high-security estate. These units hold some of our most dangerous and challenging prisoners.
We are working to ensure that stab-and-slash-resistant PBA will be made and issued as quickly as possible. We expect to issue them to staff by autumn 2025.
In addition, the Government are exploring further options to protect our dedicated prison officers from harm.