Updates Following Assault at HMP Frankland

On Saturday, 22 October, two prison officers were allegedly stabbed by Hashem Abedi, the plotter behind the Manchester Arena bombing. The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) confirmed that the officers are now in stable condition at the hospital.

According to reports, Abedi threw hot cooking oil at three officers before using 'homemade weapons' to stab them. The incident is being investigated as a serious assault by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

The attacks resulted in severe injuries for the officers, including burns and stab wounds, in what has been described as an “unprovoked” and “vicious” assault. The Prison Service has confirmed that three officers received treatment at HMP Frankland, located in County Durham, with one officer released by 4pm on Saturday.

Mark Fairhurst, the POA national chairman, expressed his concerns, stating that two officers remain hospitalized with serious injuries, but their condition has stabilized. He highlighted the extent of their injuries, including burns and stab wounds.

Following the attack, Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed that the suspect, Hashem Abedi, has been detained. He was previously convicted for his role in the Manchester terror plot that resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals at a concert in 2017.

Commander Dom Murphy, the acting senior national co-ordinator for CTP, stated that the investigation is ongoing and that they are working diligently to uncover the facts.

Abedi is currently serving a record-breaking minimum sentence of 55 years at HMP Frankland, recognized as one of the highest-security prisons in the UK. This facility has housed several high-profile inmates, including those involved in serious terrorist activities.

Frankland is known for having special separation centres designed to control inmates with extremist views. Mr. Fairhurst commented on the guards' safety, advocating for a review of policies allowing such high-risk prisoners access to kitchen facilities that could be used as weapons.

Mr. Fairhurst emphasized the need for improved intelligence and safety measures within the separation centres, which are crucial for preventing violence and ensuring staff safety.

The 2022 inspection report indicated nine men were housed in separation centres at Frankland, and it stressed that these facilities are specifically managed to handle inmates with various political or religious views.

Abedi received a minimum sentence instead of a whole-life order due to his age at the time of the bombing.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the attack on social media, expressing her support for the officers and their families. She pledged to advocate for stringent penalties against violence in prisons.

The Prison Service reaffirmed its commitment to combating violence, stating that attacks on prison staff will not be tolerated.