Scrubs staff back at work after sit-in
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PRISON OFFICERS mounted an angry protest at Wormwood Scrubs jail yesterday after 25 colleagues were told they would be charged over alleged assaults on inmates. Prisoners were forced to remain in their cells as 100 officers staged an all day sit-in in the chapel.
Ron Adams, vice-chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, said: "They are absolutely livid. They all wanted to go home but we managed to stop them." They refused to leave the chapel until they had received guarantees about they safety.
The staff had expected no more than three officers to be charged after a year-long police inquiry into allegations by about 50 inmates, he said. The officers ended their sit-in and returned to work last night after an offer from the governor, Stephen Moore, which union leaders said was aimed at improving their safety and preventing inmates making unfounded allegations.
The officers called for training in control and restraint when dealing with violent prisoners and counselling from care teams for suspended officers and other staff "distressed" by the developments. They also demanded a management presence on prison landings. All 25 of the accused officers have been suspended.
Martin Narey, director- general of the Prison Service, said: "I am committed to dealing fairly, openly and humanely with prisoners. If Prison Service staff abuse their position of authority through violence then there is no place for them in the service."
There were growing fears of unrest among the 1,000 inmates at the jail, who had been following developments on in-cell televisions. When they were prevented from leaving, they banged angrily on their cell doors and visits from friends and relatives - some of whom had travelled from the north of England - were cancelled because of the staff protests.
The Prison Service said yesterday that the jail's D-wing was being closed for early refurbishment and up to 40 prisoners a day would be transferred to other establishments.
The crisis at Wormwood Scrubs, once the Prison Service's flagship jail, was first highlighted two years ago by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, who said it was "dead in the water". In a further report, due to be published in three weeks, he will call for the prison to be closed or privatised.
The criminal charges follow a police investigation into allegations of assaults between January 1997 and May 1998, mostly at a segregation unit at the prison.
A separate police investigation into further allegations of assaults between 1991 and 1996 and since May 1998 has not yet been completed.
Daniel Machover, of the London solicitors Hickman & Rose, which represents many of the alleged victims, has called for a public inquiry into the whole Wormwood Scrubs affair.
The officers' association supported the idea, saying that such an inquiry would highlight management failings and exonerate its members.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments