Letter: Exploitation by security firms
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.Sir: Nicholas Long is right to criticise the inadequacy of the role given to lay observers of courts (Letters, 1 July). For some time now the detention areas in courts have been run by private security firms.
If the observers had been permitted to do a proper job they may well have criticised the way privatised court services exploit their staff for profit. The security industry is notoriously exploitative. That is the only way it can be both competitive and profit-making.
After the suicide of Peter Austin it is to be hoped lay observers will no longer be put off with the excuse of "commercial confidentiality". As matters stand this can too easily be used as a smokescreen at the higher levels of management both in the prison service and the private security industry to avoid their proper share of blame when things go wrong, as they are bound to do.
PETER RUSHWORTH
National Secretary
Prison Service Union
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments