The UK’s Ministry of Justice has announced a trial of electric stun guns for prison guards following a violent attack on correctional officers at HMP Frankland, a high-security prison in County Durham. The incident, which occurred on April 12th and resulted in three guards requiring hospital treatment – one remaining hospitalized in a stable condition while the other two have since been discharged – was precipitated by Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi. Abedi, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the 2017 bombing and subsequent murder of 22 people, exploited a vulnerability within the prison’s separation wing, where he was housed due to his dangerousness and extremist affiliations. Despite being confined to this area, Abedi accessed a kitchen and utilized equipment – including heated cooking oil – to construct makeshift weapons used in the assault on the officers. The Prison Officers’ Association (POA), representing correctional staff across the UK, has been vehemently advocating for the immediate deployment of stun guns, arguing that existing measures—namely an extendable baton and synthetic pepper spray—are insufficient to protect officers from increasingly sophisticated threats. POA chairman Mark Fairhurst stated emphatically that a trial period is unnecessary and urged a full rollout of the technology “before one of my members is murdered,” highlighting the perceived urgency of the situation. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed HM Prison and Probation Service would initiate the summer-starting trial, initially limited to facilities housing adult males. A separate independent review will investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, aiming to determine how Abedi was able to access weapons, assess current security protocols within separation centers, and propose improvements for safeguarding prison staff. This follows a previous “snap review” into the use of protective body armour for officers. Mahmood also paid tribute to the bravery displayed by the affected guards, emphasizing their crucial role in preventing further harm. Fairhurst contends that police forces routinely utilize stun guns effectively and believes similar benefits would be realized within prisons, particularly given Abedi’s ability to adapt and weaponize readily available materials. He insists on a comprehensive deployment across high-security facilities, accompanied by specialized training for personnel operating the equipment. The ongoing situation underscores escalating concerns about prison safety and has reignited a long-standing debate regarding the appropriate tools and strategies for protecting correctional officers in an increasingly challenging environment.
