Prison Officers Association: Protest Action Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prison Officers Association: Protest Action

Richard Drax Excerpts
Tuesday 15th November 2016

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Richard Drax Portrait Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con)
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May I welcome the measures that my right hon. Friend announced recently? I join her in condemning the action by the POA, which is not going to help it or the prisoners it is meant to be looking after. I, too, am concerned about retention, which affects the young offenders prison in my constituency. My local officers raise with me their fear that the courts do not have the sanctions available to impose tough enough sentences on those who assault prison officers—there is no deterrence. Will she examine that?

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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I completely agree with my hon. Friend that crimes committed in prison against prison officers need to be treated extremely seriously, and I am working closely with the Attorney General and the Home Secretary to make sure that that is followed through.