Published: 28 July’ 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online
In a significant policy shift aimed at curbing rising violence inside prisons, specialist officers in adult male prisons across England and Wales will now be allowed to use Tasers for the first time. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the move as part of her ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and security of prison staff amidst what she described as “unacceptably high” levels of aggression behind bars.
The trial, which involves the deployment of Taser 7 devices—the same model currently used by police—marks a bold new step in the government’s strategy to restore order in prisons where attacks on staff have been reaching alarming levels. Over the past year, there were 10,605 reported assaults on prison officers, representing a 13% increase and setting a new record. Serious assaults, meanwhile, rose by 10%, painting a bleak picture of deteriorating conditions in UK correctional facilities.
During a controlled demonstration attended by journalists, specialist officers showed how the devices would be deployed in extreme situations, such as riots, mass disorder, or incidents where there is an immediate threat to life. In one scenario, four prisoners in an exercise yard became violent, leading to a staged attack where three turned on one. After verbal warnings were issued, officers used the Tasers from a safe distance to regain control.
The Taser 7 is capable of delivering 50,000 volts, though that reduces to about 1,500 volts upon contact with a target. Officials also demonstrated their tactical use of pyrotechnics—loud bangs and smoke—to disorient aggressive inmates during a simulated hostage situation, before securing them in handcuffs.
Initially, only national-level specialist response teams, based in two key locations, will be authorised to use the weapons during the trial. These teams already respond to roughly 800 high-risk incidents annually—averaging just over two per day. However, depending on the data gathered during the trial, the government will consider whether to allow trained local prison staff to use Tasers as well. Justice Secretary Mahmood noted that further decisions will be made in the autumn once sufficient results are available. “From my perspective, this is very much the beginning,” she said.
The announcement follows a string of violent incidents that have intensified pressure on the Ministry of Justice to act. Notably, Hashem Abedi—the convicted plotter of the Manchester Arena bombing—attacked staff at HMP Frankland earlier this year using boiling oil and improvised weapons. This incident, according to Mahmood, “forced the pace” of new protective measures. Similarly, Axel Rudakubana, imprisoned for a high-profile murder in Southport, reportedly scalded a staff member with hot water at HMP Belmarsh.
In response to such attacks, the Prison Officers Association (POA) has been vocal in its call for better protection for staff, including access to body armour, stab vests, and now Tasers. While the union welcomed the trial, POA national chairman Mark Fairhurst argued that the measures don’t go far enough. “It is pointless a national response being several hours away if, locally, Taser is needed to immediately preserve life and combat threat,” he said, urging the government to authorise on-site staff for rapid response capability.
Last month, the government introduced body armour in select units of high-security jails—those housing the country’s most dangerous inmates. However, many in the POA consider the step as minimal progress rather than a comprehensive solution.
Justice Secretary Mahmood acknowledged the complexity of the decision. While Tasers have been widely used by police forces, she noted that “a custodial setting is different to usage in other scenarios,” indicating the need for a cautious and measured rollout. Officials within Whitehall are reportedly keen to observe and learn from this trial before deciding whether to implement broader changes across the prison system.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the rising tide of violence in UK prisons has forced the government to rethink its approach to prison safety. Whether Tasers will become a permanent fixture inside correctional facilities remains to be seen—but the urgency behind the policy signals a growing concern for the wellbeing of frontline prison staff.
