**Prison Officers Stabbed by Manchester Bomb Plotter Now Stable, Says Union**
Two prison officers who were viciously attacked by Manchester bomb plotter Hashem Abedi are now in stable condition in hospital, according to the Prison Officers’ Association (POA). Abedi threw hot cooking oil over three officers before stabbing them with homemade weapons in what the POA described as a serious assault. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) NE is leading the investigation into the attack which left the officers with life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds, and stab wounds. The Prison Service confirmed that three officers were injured in the incident at HMP Frankland in County Durham. One female officer was discharged by 4 pm on the same day.
POA national chairman Mark Fairhurst provided updates on the condition of the injured staff, stating that although two officers remain in hospital with serious injuries, they have stabilized. He mentioned that the officers suffered burns, scalds, and severe stab wounds in the unprovoked attack. Abedi, who was convicted of assisting his brother Salman Abedi in the Manchester terror plot that claimed 22 lives, is currently serving a 55-year minimum term at the maximum-security HMP Frankland.
The investigation into the assault is being led by CTP North East with the support of Durham Constabulary. Commander Dom Murphy stressed the early stages of the investigation and refrained from providing further details at the time. The separation centre at HMP Frankland, where the attack took place, is designed to control prisoners with extreme views and prevent them from disruptive or radicalizing behavior. Fairhurst expressed concerns about allowing certain inmates access to kitchen utensils that can be used as weapons, calling for immediate action to prevent similar incidents.
The separation centre at HMP Frankland, which is well-resourced and staffed with specially trained individuals, aims to isolate prisoners with extreme views. Despite being designated for inmates with any political or religious beliefs, the units have mainly housed Muslim men. Abedi, who orchestrated the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, received a 55-year minimum term due to his age at the time of the attack. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the assault on the officers and vowed to pursue the strongest punishment possible for the perpetrator.
Violence against prison staff is unacceptable, as reiterated by the Prison Service, which remains committed to prosecuting individuals involved in such attacks. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of prison staff and the procedures governing the access of inmates to potentially harmful objects. Increased vigilance and intelligence gathering are emphasized to prevent similar incidents in the future. The aftermath of the attack highlights the risks faced by prison officers in the line of duty and the importance of maintaining a secure environment within correctional facilities.