Tasers to be used in prisons for the first time in bid to tackle violence from inmates
TASER TRAIL Tasers to be used in prisons for the first time in bid to tackle violence from inmates
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TASERS can be used in prisons for the first time from today under a trial to stamp out violence.
The National Tactical Response Group, an elite squad of officers, are now free to use the stun devices in dangerous situations such as hostage-taking and riots.
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Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood hinted Tasers could be rolled out
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Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood hinted the Tasers could be rolled out to local teams if the pilot works.
She told The Sun: 'Violence in our prisons has been far too high for far too long.
'I inherited a situation with completely unacceptable levels of violence.
'All of my early conversations with staff and staff representatives have been about prison officer safety.'
read more on prisons
JAILHOUSE SHOCK Prisons take step to beat overcrowding in move set to get 'complaints'
There were a record 10,605 assaults on jail staff last year, up 15 per cent in a year.
Ms Mahmood added: 'I'm not willing to tolerate that.'
Prison officers are also getting new protective body armour.
And ramping up the number of full lockdown searches in high-security jails to stop contraband getting through.
A £40 million package was announced last month to boost security - including £10 million for anti-drone measures like netting and reinforced windows.
Southport fiend Axel Rudakubana hurled scalding water over prison guard in 'terrifying' attack putting victim in hospital
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Tasers can be used in prisons for the first time from today under a trial to stamp out violence
Credit: PA
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