Prison officers will be given tasers to defend themselves after three suffered horrific injuries in an attack by Manchester Arena bombing accomplice Hashem Abedi.

In a significant move following a harrowing incident at HMP Frankland in County Durham, the UK government has announced that prison officers will be equipped with tasers to enhance their safety while on duty. This decision comes after three officers sustained life-threatening injuries during a brutal attack by Hashem Abedi, who notoriously aided his brother in the devastating 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The attack involved Abedi throwing hot cooking oil and utilizing makeshift weapons, highlighting vulnerabilities in prison security protocols. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has expressed profound respect for the bravery displayed by the officers and acknowledged the outrage felt by victims' families from the Manchester bombing tragedy. The introduction of tasers for prison staff is positioned as a pilot measure, with plans for potential permanency contingent on its effectiveness in ensuring safety. Alongside the tasers, the government is also reviewing the necessity for protective body armor for officers and has halted kitchen access for prisoners in separation and close supervision centers—moves aimed at fortifying security in light of the attack. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has underscored the urgency for a thorough review of prison management, emphasizing concerns regarding the containment of radicalized inmates. The overall context is that Abedi, who has a history of violent behavior within prison settings, has previously been implicated in other assaults against prison staff, raising questions about the adequacy of existing safety measures. Local MP Mary Kelly Foy has called for immediate provision of stab vests to protect officers, asserting that inadequate protective equipment could lead to preventable attacks. This situation reflects broader issues within the UK penal system, particularly the urgent need to improve officer safety and the adequacy of rehabilitation measures amidst growing concerns over security in prisons.