The shadow justice secretary advocates arming prison officers who manage violent inmates. Robert Jenrick proposed equipping specialist guards with Tasers and baton rounds—less-lethal alternatives to firearms—to bolster their confidence in handling threats. The Conservative party suggests establishing secure armories in maximum-security prisons, emphasizing their use as a last resort.
Currently, adult male prison officers carry only extendable batons and PAVA spray. While the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) plans a Taser trial for some officers this summer, it opposes lethal weaponry, citing increased officer risk. The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has urged for enhanced staff protection following a series of assaults, recommending stun guns for officers in the UK’s most dangerous prisons.
Jenrick stated to the BBC that without intervention, a prison officer being held hostage or killed is inevitable. He clarified that officers wouldn’t routinely carry lethal weapons but would have access if needed. This Conservative proposal follows a review by former prison governor Ian Acheson, also advocating for immediate rollout of high-collar stab vests for frontline officers.
Labour criticized the Conservatives’ proposal, highlighting their record in office. A party spokesperson noted the minimal increase in prison capacity and the closure of high-security cells under Conservative leadership, coinciding with a rise in assaults on officers and experienced staff departures. Jenrick acknowledged that his party “should have done more” while in power but emphasized his current focus on effective solutions.
The MoJ confirmed that protective body armor is used in high-risk areas, adding that a review on its wider use will report shortly. Concerns have been raised by Essex Police’s Ben-Julian Harrington regarding increased pressure on police due to sentencing changes. A letter from senior officers preceded the recent announcement on sentencing review, which emphasizes fewer custodial sentences and earlier releases.
Further information regarding HMP The Mount and student experiences, along with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s views on expanding unpaid work, is included in related reports.