Irish prison officers call for batons as vicious attacks on the rise behind bars

Prison officers are pleading to be allowed to use batons - as vicious attacks are on the rise behind bars.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) say the number of violent incidents in Irish prisons from 2020 to last year have increased by 137 per cent - with a shocking 891 incidents in 2023 - including 110 assaults against them by prisoners.

Speaking at the POA’s Annual Delegate Conference in Co Sligo, Gabriel Keaveny, Deputy General Secretary gave a shocking example of how a prison officer was recently slashed in the face.

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He said: “Earlier this year one of our members had his face slashed after he intervened with a prisoner who was trying to escape.

“The prisoner is reported to have said, 'I’ll stab the face off you, I’ll stab you to death', as he carried out the assault.

“Last year a female prison officer was left with life-changing injuries, sustained in an attack by a prisoner,” he added.

Gabriel Keaveny Assistant General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association

His comments come as the POA are understood to be advocating for prison officers to be able to carry batons as a means of defence behind bars.

“If we could secure access to such items as incapacitant spray, concealed batons and conflict resolution dogs, we could take more decisive action and add to overall safety,” Mr Keaveny added.

“We have raised this important matter with the Irish Prison Service by letter earlier this week, and have stressed again our view that prison officers should be allowed to carry concealed batons within the prison, as a way of protecting themselves and others.”

Currently prison officers are not allowed to carry a baton unless they are on an escort or in the National Violence Reduction Unit.

Speaking about the rise in violent incidents in prisons, Mr Keaveny added that the overcrowding crisis in our jails is adding to the problem.

“We must face the fact that violent incidents are much more likely to occur in our present overcrowded prison environment, where prisoners are not getting sufficient access to non-cell facilities, such as workshops and recreation.

“In 2023 we have had over 100 direct physical assaults on prison officers, while carrying out their duties in our prisons."

Meanwhile Irish Prison Service Director General Caron McCaffrey also commented on the figures, saying assaults on prison officers are in fact down - but said 110 assaults are still too many.

She did, however, acknowledge that assaults between prisoners has increased by 66 per cent.

“There has been an increase in prisoner on prisoner assaults, which is really regrettable and prisoner on prisoner assaults are up 66 per cent.

“There has, however, been a reduction on the number of assaults on staff in 2023, but that’s not to say that any level of assaults against our staff is acceptable.

“There were 110 assaults too many and we take this issue very seriously, as do An Garda Siochana.”

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