‘We’re severely understaffed’: Lincoln Prison officers protest over safety
Around 40 members of staff at Lincoln Prison have walked out in a row with the government over staffing and safety concerns. A national day of action was called by the Prison Officers Association (POA) until midnight on Tuesday, November 15. Staff taking part in the protest outside the prison on Greetwell Road in Lincoln…
Frontline prison officer and regional POA spokesperson Paul Wray. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
Around 40 members of staff at Lincoln Prison have walked out in a row with the government over staffing and safety concerns.
A national day of action was called by the Prison Officers Association (POA) until midnight on Tuesday, November 15.
Staff taking part in the protest outside the prison on Greetwell Road in Lincoln spoke to Lincolnshire Reporter about facing increasingly frequent assaults and a 20% shortage of frontline officers.
Paul Wray, branch chairman of the Prison Officers Association at HMP Lincoln, said: “We’re severely understaffed and we’re trying to do what we can to make it work. But enough is enough. It’s just not safe.
“Nationally and locally assaults are up. It’s happening on a very regular basis. Sometimes on a daily basis. We just haven’t got the staff to look after everyone in our care properly.
“There should be around 120 frontline prison officers at Lincoln Prison and at the moment we are about 20% short on that.
“I’d like the government to listen to us and stop sacrificing our safety for the sake of saving pounds.”
The union said in a statement: “The POA has consistently raised the volatile and dangerous state of prisons, as chronic staff shortages and impoverished regimes has resulted in staff no longer being safe, a lack of discipline and prisoners taking control of areas.
“The continued surge in violence and unprecedented levels of suicide and acts of self harm, coupled with the recent murder and escapes demonstrate that the service is in meltdown.”
‘Unlawful action’
The Ministry of Justice has fiercely condemned the action, describing it as “unlawful”.
An MOJ spokesman, said: “There is no justification for this action.
“We have been engaged in constructive talks with the POA over the last two weeks and have provided a comprehensive response to a range of health and safety concerns.
“The government has announced an additional 2,500 frontline officers to help reduce violence in prisons.
“We have well established contingencies in place to manage prisons and keep the public safe but we are clear that this constitutes unlawful industrial action, and we will seek remedy in the courts.”
In September, Lincoln Prison was placed under a 24-hour lockdown after prisoners began rioting, causing significant damage to cells.
Some 30 inmates were forcibly removed from the Category B men’s prison. They are subject to an ongoing police investigation.
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DJ Judge Jules will take centre stage in Scunthorpe next year as he performs iconic dance classics with a 10-piece live band.
Julius O’Riordan, the British dance music DJ known by his stage name Judge Jules, has been one of the scene’s best known names for more than three decades.
DJ Judge Jules, who was voted best DJ in the world by DJ Mag in 1995, will perform at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe on Friday, October 8, 2021.
Tickets went on sale at 10am on Wednesday, November 25 for the all standing event priced at £32.60.
DJ Judge Jules has curated every element of this performance and the music has been selected to represent the breadth and scale of his career.
St Barnabas Hospice ran its annual Light Up A Life procession through Lincoln on Tuesday night, streaming it virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The annual torchlit procession usually allowed people to walk through the city holding flaming torches, before ending up at the Tree of Life at Lincoln Cathedral.
The tree will be up until January 7, allowing people to honour a loved one this Christmas, with each light decoration representing someone different.
Even at 30ft high, it dwarfs in comparison to our cathedral. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was broadcast on St Barnabas Hospice’s social media pages and website at 7pm on Tuesday.
Finlay Macghee from RAF Waddington’s pipe band joined the procession. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice
Candles and lights could be dedicated in memory of people in your life. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice
The virtual service saw candles lit as part of the Light Up A Life campaign, with a flaming candle representing a loved one who was lost this year.
Candles were lit for St Barnabas, the local community and all the loved ones we lost this year. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice
Speeches from Ann Fradgley, spiritual and pastoral care chaplain, St Barnabas chairman Tony Maltby and staff nurse Annie Penrice honoured those who died in this difficult year.
St Barnabas staff walked the torches up to Lincoln Cathedral and the Tree of Life. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice
Following the poems and speeches was a solo performance by Finlay Macghee, a member of the RAF Waddington pipe band.
Amazing Grace was played as two candles were walked and held by the Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral, where reverend canon John Patrick celebrated the work of St Barnabas.
The Tree of Life at the cathedral was where the procession ended up. | Photo: St Barnabas Hospice
Hymns, memories of loved ones and gorgeous scenes of the tree were shared on the video before a closing message of hope from Chris Wheway, CEO of St Barnabas.
A 52-year-old Grantham man lost his battle with COVID-19 this month and his daughter is raising money to “give him the send off he deserves”.
He worked at a SPAR store in Grantham for over 10 years and was popular at work as he had a very good sense of humour.
Paul Mayfield’s daughter Hayley Ann Marson said he was “clear and well of the virus” before being rushed to Lincoln County Hospital with breathing issues.
He sadly died later the same week on Saturday, November 14. She said he didn’t die from coronavirus, but from an underlining illness related to COVID that left a massive strain on his heart and caused it to fail.
Paul had seven children (Scott Slark, Hayley Marson, Carl Slark, Gareth Slark, Blake Slark, Anthony Clark and Kieran Mayfield), and was a loving partner to Sara Slark for 18 and a half years.
His daughter Hayley has set up a GoFundMe page to help with any funeral costs. At the time of publication, the page has so far raised just over £890.
On the fundraising page, she said: “Paul was the only son to Barbara Mayfield, who he would try and help when he could, even if it was a little thing. He helped her with shopping and walking the dog called Lady.
“Unfortunately Paul lost his dad at the age of 17, so was brought up alone with Barbara.
“He was proud of all the children of what they have become and accomplished. We all know he is looking down on us. Let’s try and give him the send off he deserves.”
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