CICA and the way it can impact you – Part 3: Prison officers

In the unbelievable data released by the Prison Officers Association (POA) in early September 2018, an average of two prison officers are sent to A&E every single day after being attacked by inmates.

The data showed that in the week beginning 28^th August 2018, fifteen members of staff in prisons across England and Wales were rushed to hospital following assaults from prisoners. On top of this, eighteen others were victims of unprovoked assaults which did not lead to serious injuries.

These assaults are also becoming progressively more repulsive. In that same week, seven reported ‘potting’ attacks were recorded – this involves prisoners throwing excrement and urine over staff members to pay off debts to other prisoners or, more simply, to humiliate them.

Channel 4 recently aired the final episode of their documentary ‘Prison’, which was filmed in HMP Durham. The documentary explored three different themes during the three episodes; drugs, mental health and violence. The final episode focused on violence, namely, the violence between prisoners and the violence between prison officers and prisoners. During the hour-and-fifteen-minute-long finale, numerous distressing scenes were shown.

CCTV footage showed a violent prisoner spotting a moment at which a prison officer had turned his back and taking this opportunity to attack the officer. There was also a scene in which a senior officer, John Matthews, was shown to be visibly shaken after he was allegedly grabbed by the throat by a prisoner who had assaulted other members of staff three times within the space of a few weeks.

This level of violence is, unfortunately, becoming more and more common in UK prisons. In June 2018, two prison officers residing at HMP Birmingham were taken to hospital after inmates threw boiling hot water at them, resulting in them being scalded.

Although their injuries were not serious, the potential damage an attack like this can have on an individual could be catastrophic. Burns can cause permanent scarring, leaving a victim with an everlasting reminder of a devastating incident. These tend to have serious effects, not only physically, but psychologically too.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) makes provisions for these types of incidents, with a wide array of remuneration available for both the physical effects of burns on any part of the body and the psychological effects that they may have. Depending on the severity, a facial burn can garner compensation of either £3,500 or £27,000, just for the physical aspect.

The conditions in jails in England and Wales have become so appalling for prison officers, the POA organised a mass walkout in protest. In September 2018, the POA said its members were facing “unprecedented levels of violence” leaving them with no choice but to walk out under health and safety legislation.

The POA’s General Secretary, Steven Gillan, said:

“The Government and employer have a duty of care towards my members, and I’m fed up of hearing of my members receiving smashed eye sockets, broken arms, broken legs, broken jaws, being attacked, spat on, having excrement and urine thrown at them, and enough is enough now.”

The smashed eye sockets, broken arms, broken legs and broken jaws that Gillan explains have been suffered by the members of the POA can all be claimed for under the CICA scheme in scenarios such as these. If an individual sustains a criminal injury that is directly attributable to their being a direct victim of a crime of violence then, depending on the injuries suffered, they are eligible to receive compensation.

These incidents are not going away any time fast. On Christmas Day, a widescale riot took place at HMP Humber with reports emerging that prisoners threw pool balls at staff and started fires.

While this particular incident was successfully resolved, stand-offs like this will inevitably lead to innocent people sustaining serious injuries. It is for events such as this, that the CICA is available.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

For impartial, confidential legal advice about your CICA claim, call our expert team on 0113 200 9787. Get in touch today for a free initial consultation, or contact us online here to discuss how we can help you.

Independent Source

Birmingham Mail Source

Guardian Source