Prison staff at Wormwood Scrubs are taking part in a walk-out on Tuesday (November 15) over health and safety concerns.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) union’s executive said it has been “forced to direct all POA members to take protest action today” after talks with National Offender Management Service (NOMS), which represents the government, broke down.
More than 10,000 staff were thought to have taken part in the nationwide strike, with Wormwood Scrubs being one of the prisons involved in the walk-out.
In its announcement, POA, which is the professional trades union for prison, correctional and secure psychiatric workers, said: “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.
“The POA as a responsible trades union will ensure every prison has minimum cover arrangements in place to protect prisoner wellbeing security and safety, during this protest.
“The union is seeking urgent meetings with the government to secure a safe and sensible resolution to these issues.”
The walk-out was criticised by the government, with Justice Secretary Liz Truss calling the action was “unnecessary and unlawful”.
The government has now won a high court injunction ordering staff to return to work.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) issued a statement saying: “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.”
The MoJ said prison workers who had "breached their contract" would not be paid for the hours they striked.
Staff at Wormwood Scrubs had walked out of the prison in May amid safety fears.
Within days of returning to work wardens at the Victorian-built prison, near White City, were seriously assaulted by inmates.
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