Shock after attack on female prison officer

The woman suffered a neck wound and was taken to hospital after the incident on Monday. She has since been discharged.

Upper Bann representative Mr Beattie said: “For months now I have been highlighting concerns about our prison system, not least fears for the safety of prison officers and staff.

“Staffing levels have been a major concern for the POA as have stress and sickness levels. Prisons exist so that dangerous people can be locked away where they cannot harm society. Prison officers are tasked with carrying out a very dangerous job on our behalf and they need to be protected.

“I sincerely hope that the injured officer makes a full recovery and that the person responsible is made an example of with a sentence that acts as both a deterrent and a warning to anyone else who might think of attacking an officer. Such attacks simply cannot be tolerated.”