Sputnik spoke to Tracey Snelling, a Former Prison Officer, for more insight on the issue.
Sputnik: How significant is this?
Tracey Snelling: It is long overdue this. I am married to a prison officer who works in HMP Manchester and the rise in assaults is unbelievable.
Enough is enough, they’ve got to stand up now and do something.
Tracey Snelling: It has been illegal for prison officers to strike since 2016 but they have turned up to work and have been told to go to a place of safety – which is a health and safety matter. In my eyes no this is not illegal; they’re putting their safety first today.
Sputnik: Finally if the government continues to run prisons in the same way they're being run now — what does the future hold for our prisons?
Sputnik: You mentioned Strangeways there, what effect would the be if we had another riot like Strangeways in the ‘90s?
Tracey Snelling: I think there would be a lot of deaths to be honest.
There would be casualties on both sides for prisoners and prison officers.
Views and opinions expressed in this article are those of Tracey Snelling and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.
