Britain to arm prison officers with Tasers as violence in jails rises

Hundreds of prison officers will be issued Tasers for the first time to defend themselves against inmates, ministers announced last night. The roll-out to 500 guards follows a trial involving 20 officers, and the Ministry of Justice may extend the scheme to hundreds more. The Tasers can generate 1,500 volts of electricity to incapacitate an attacker from a distance. Some 10,000 prison officers will also receive stab-proof vests, a massive increase on the current 750. The new initiative has been launched as officers face unprecedented levels of violence inside Britain's jails, including stabbings and reports of inmates using hot cooking oil as a weapon. Until now, officers have carried only an extended baton and Pava, a synthetic pepper spray.

The changes come as violence in some facilities has prompted warnings that the system is nearing a tipping point. Latest Ministry of Justice data show there were 10,568 attacks against prison officers in England and Wales in the 12 months to March, up 7% on the previous year. Officials say the new equipment is intended to restore officers’ ability to protect themselves and others while on duty, reduce injuries, and support safer prison environments overall.

Justice Secretary David Lammy said last night: "Our dedicated prison officers put themselves in harm's way every day to protect us. This new investment sends a clear message: we back our staff and we will give them the tools they need to do their jobs safely." The plan is part of a broader effort to modernize security in custody settings, with officials stressing that any deployment will follow strict training and governance to prevent misuse and escalation.

The government has faced calls from opposition figures to go further. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has urged authorities to consider broader arming options and to address what he described as an increasingly dangerous environment for staff. He described the prison system as a potential national security concern and pressed for additional steps, including the rapid deployment of anti-drone technology to stop weapons—and potentially firearms—from being flown into prisons.

The talk of arming prison staff was underscored by a high-profile incident at HMP Frankland in County Durham earlier this year. Hashem Abedi, 28, brother of the Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, allegedly threw hot oil at three prison officers while in a kitchen in the separation unit. Abedi is serving 55 years for his role in the 2017 attack and has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident. The episode has been cited by lawmakers as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by custody staff and the perceived need for enhanced defensive options for officers on the front line.

In responding to the violence data, Justice officials emphasized that non-lethal tools—such as baton extensions and Pava spray—have been standard in prisons for years and that the Tasers would be issued only to trained personnel under controlled conditions. Ministers cautioned that the roll-out would be evaluated for safety and effectiveness before any expansion to additional staff, and that the broader security strategy would continue to emphasis de-escalation and reform alongside containment measures. While the introduction of Tasers is likely to confront questions about proportionality and risk, government representatives argue that the tools are intended to reduce injuries and protect both staff and inmates when violence erupts.

The tension between improving staff safety and public concerns about weaponization in custody settings remains at the heart of the policy debate. Supporters say the measures are needed to deter attacks and ensure prisons can operate with fewer disruptions, while critics warn of the potential for misuse or escalation. As the first phase of the program unfolds, officials say monitoring will focus on incident rates, training adherence, and reports of any unintended consequences, with a view to adjusting policy as necessary. The issue has also drawn attention to broader security questions in the criminal-justice system, including the ongoing debate over crowd control, surveillance, and the balance between safety and civil liberties in correctional facilities.