Increase in taser and stab vests

Justice Secretary David Lammy announced plans to increase the use of Tasers and the provision of stab-proof vests for prison officers to combat rising violence in prisons, following incidents like the attack at HMP Frankland. This includes providing 10,000 stab vests (5,000 for high-security facilities) and training up to 500 officers to use Tasers in prisons, scaled up from a 20-person trial.  

• Stab vests: 

  The number of stab-proof vests will increase from 750 to 10,000, with 5,000 being allocated to every officer in high-security facilities. 
• Tasers: 

  Up to 500 officers will be trained to use Tasers, an increase from the 20 specialist officers involved in a trial. 
• Reasoning: 

  The measures were announced following a rise in violence against prison staff, including a recent attack at HMP Frankland where officers were injured by weapons and hot oil. 
• Funding: 

  The new kit is part of a £15 million investment announced by the Justice Secretary.