Two prison workers die

[Wtfdidwedo]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-52169957
I wonder if the media will start remembering the "forgotten service" now. In many cases prison officers and OSGs can be exposed to coronavirus in the same way as many NHS workers. You can't take prisoners out on escort without being handcuffed to them in close contact for instance.

I hadn't forgotten prison officers OP

It irritates me when prison officers and other prison support staff are always left off the praise for the more visible emergency services. Not just now, but all the time. They do a vital job in horrible conditions.

They are the 4th emergency service imo. RIP to these 2 people.

100% agree OP

Yes it's been particularly interesting to see all the God awful claps, free coffees, dedicated shopping hours etc. for NHS, police and fire but not prison officers, despite the fact that they have police powers in many instances. Social distancing is impossible in a prison. These officers certainly won't be the last unfortunately.

Its devastating. Prison and probation truly the forgotten service. You can't do manual handling while observing social distancing. A friend who works in a prison tells me their prison is on lockdown due to COVID19. Which sounds all well and good, but suicides have skyrocketed.

And the latest government brainwave of releasing prisoners doesn't solve the problem. It merely transfers it from prison to probation, who still have to see prison releases who are high risk or complex needs. It adds more pressure onto a service that doesn't have enough equipment to allow its staff to effectively wfh.

I volunteer in a prison, they have at least two confirmed cases. I feel for everyone in that situation. My neice has just left the prison service too. Bloody awful job.

Prison staff have a tough job at the best of times. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must be for them now.

As well as having to handcuff prisoners, prison staff have to search them and break up fights and restrain those who are violent. Although prison staff are trained how to do all of those things safely without causing injury, it never protected them against prisoners who spit, never mind cough or sneeze.

I haven't forgotten prison staff either. They are doing an extraordinary job.

Thanks for sharing OP. It’s important they aren’t forgotten.