POLICE and Crime Commissioner John Campion is working alongside staff at HMP Hewell to reduce assaults on emergency workers.
During a visit to the prison, situated between Redditch and Bromsgrove, prisoners, including those who had been the perpetrators of assaults, shared their experiences and gave feedback on materials for the PCC’s Behind the Badge campaign.
Their responses will be used to shape the campaign moving forward, changing attitudes towards police and other emergency workers and encouraging people to behave differently.
With nearly 7,500 assaults reported on prison workers in a 12 month period, the PCC will be linking in with prison staff to recognise all those who work to keep people safe and encourage a reduction in violence.
PCC Campion said: “I’m grateful for this opportunity to work with HMP Hewell and to learn from the experiences of prisoners and staff, supporting our common goal of wanting to protect those who protect us.”
Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said: “I am pleased to see the partnership between HMP Hewell and West Mercia Police in action.
“Violence against our hardworking staff is completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated.”
