Prison violence 'out of control' - as multiple officers injured in three separate attacks

Recent escalating prison violence has been described as "out of control" by a union boss amid three separate attacks which has left multiple officers injured.

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), has called for action to protect jail workers "before there is a fatality". The POA detailed two separate incidents at Woodhill prison in Milton Keynes.

Geoff Willetts, of the POA, said one prison officer was assaulted and injured by an inmate detained under the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008. In another incident at the jail, a prisoner lashed out after being ordered to return to his cell.

Mr Willetts said a specialist officer was slashed with an improvised weapon and sustained injuries to the neck and ear. The officer attended hospital, where stitches and surgical glue were applied to their injuries.

Thames Valley Police said it was aware of one incident and was investigating the alleged assault of a prison officer on Tuesday. Meanwhile, at Gartree prison in Market Harborough, staff attended a medical emergency where an inmate reportedly faked an epileptic fit.

Mr Willetts said a male prison officer was assaulted before having a TV thrown at him, while a female officer suffered a broken arm. Alongside these three attacks, Southport triple killer Axel Rudakubana was also recently accused of attacking a prison officer with boiling water at HMP Belmarsh in London.

Mr Gillan said: "Escalating levels of violence are out of control in the prison service in England and Wales. "It appears that HMPPS (HM Prison and Probation Service) have learned nothing.

They continue to ignore the calls from our members on the frontline for urgent action to protect prison officers from violence." Read more from Sky News:Inside the UK's broken prison systemMinister does not rule out US-style 'supermax' jails for most dangerous offenders Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to publish a statement on Wednesday to address prison overcrowding. According to reports, Ms Mahmood is expected to accept proposals to introduce a minimum and maximum sentence for certain criminals.

It would mean prisoners would be released at the minimum point of their jail term if they show good behaviour and participate in education, rehabilitation and anger management courses and work. But those who demonstrate bad behaviour such as violence, having contraband or refusing to work while in prison would serve the maximum sentence.

Mr Gillan added: "It is clear prison regimes must be reviewed as a matter of urgency. We need action to protect prison officers before there is a fatality.

"My thoughts are with the prison officers who have been injured. The POA will offer them our full support." Sky News has contacted the Ministry of Justice for comment..