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Mark Bridger protection will strain prison resources, says union Mark Bridger protection will strain prison resources, says union
(about 7 hours later)
Providing extra protection for the killer of schoolgirl April Jones after he was attacked in jail will put an additional strain on already overstretched resources, representatives of prison officers have said. Providing extra protection for the killer of April Jones, five, after he was attacked in jail will strain already overstretched resources, representatives of prison officers have said.
Mark Bridger was treated in hospital after allegedly being slashed across the face with a makeshift blade by a fellow inmate at Wakefield prison, in West Yorkshire. The police and the justice ministry are investigating but is almost certain that more security measures will have to be put in place to keep the 47-year-old former abattoir worker safe. Mark Bridger, 47, was treated in hospital after allegedly being slashed across the face with a makeshift blade by an inmate at Wakefield prison, West Yorkshire. The police and the justice ministry are investigating but it is almost certain that more security measures will have to be put in place to keep Bridger safe.
Glyn Travis, assistant secretary at the prison officers' union the POA, said that after the Soham killer Ian Huntley was attacked in Wakefield he had to be accompanied by two officers at all times when he walked around the prison. Glyn Travis, assistant secretary at the prison officers' union, the POA, said that after Soham killer Ian Huntley was attacked in Wakefield he had to be accompanied by two officers at all times when he walked around the prison.
"It's possible he [Bridger] will get that level of protection," Travis said. "You're talking £100,000 a year for the taxpayer. This will cause problems because additional resources will be diverted to ensure he is protected.""It's possible he [Bridger] will get that level of protection," Travis said. "You're talking £100,000 a year for the taxpayer. This will cause problems because additional resources will be diverted to ensure he is protected."
The POA said the attack, which took place on Monday afternoon, exposed a growing problem in UK prisons. It said there were 43 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults a day on average and eight assaults on members of staff. The POA said the attack, which took place on Monday afternoon, exposed a growing problem in UK prisons. It said there were 43 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults a day on average and eight assaults on members of staff.
Travis said the situation was being exacerbated by cost-saving measures forced on prisons by the government. "Eventually something's got to give," he said.Travis said the situation was being exacerbated by cost-saving measures forced on prisons by the government. "Eventually something's got to give," he said.
Wakefield, originally built as a correction house in the 16th century, is home to some of Britain's most notorious offenders including the child killers Roy Whiting, Robert Black and Levi Bellfield.Wakefield, originally built as a correction house in the 16th century, is home to some of Britain's most notorious offenders including the child killers Roy Whiting, Robert Black and Levi Bellfield.
Bridger was convicted of abducting five-year-old April as she played on her bicycle in the mid-Wales town of Machynlleth and murdering her, possibly after sexually assaulting her. He was also found guilty of destroying, disposing of or concealing her remains, which have not been found.Bridger was convicted of abducting five-year-old April as she played on her bicycle in the mid-Wales town of Machynlleth and murdering her, possibly after sexually assaulting her. He was also found guilty of destroying, disposing of or concealing her remains, which have not been found.
During his trial Bridger was held on remand at HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways, where he was kept in isolation and under constant surveillance for fear he would be attacked or harm himself.During his trial Bridger was held on remand at HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways, where he was kept in isolation and under constant surveillance for fear he would be attacked or harm himself.
After his conviction at Mold crown court in north Wales in May, Bridger was moved to Wakefield, sometimes referred to as the "Monster Mansion" because of the number of dangerous inmates it houses. At the time prison sources acknowledged that his life would be under constant threat there.After his conviction at Mold crown court in north Wales in May, Bridger was moved to Wakefield, sometimes referred to as the "Monster Mansion" because of the number of dangerous inmates it houses. At the time prison sources acknowledged that his life would be under constant threat there.
It is not known where in the prison the attack happened. Wakefield includes a "prison within a prison" – the close supervision centre where about half a dozen of the most challenging inmates in the entire British prison system are held – and a segregation area for men who need protection from other inmates.It is not known where in the prison the attack happened. Wakefield includes a "prison within a prison" – the close supervision centre where about half a dozen of the most challenging inmates in the entire British prison system are held – and a segregation area for men who need protection from other inmates.
An inspection last year found that the jail was "reasonably safe" and concluded: "The numbers of self-harm, bullying and use of force incidents were low. Most prisoners reported feeling safe."An inspection last year found that the jail was "reasonably safe" and concluded: "The numbers of self-harm, bullying and use of force incidents were low. Most prisoners reported feeling safe."
The inspection found there was a high concentration of men convicted of very serious sexual attacks in Wakefield who were "in denial" about their offences. The report (pdf) said: "The prison service should consider whether it is right to place such a concentration of men in denial in one establishment."The inspection found there was a high concentration of men convicted of very serious sexual attacks in Wakefield who were "in denial" about their offences. The report (pdf) said: "The prison service should consider whether it is right to place such a concentration of men in denial in one establishment."
Bridger was given a whole-life sentence after a jury took four hours to find him guilty. It emerged during the month-long trial that Bridger had a collection of images of girls being sexually abused, and had collated pictures of April and her sisters from Facebook. in 2005 while he was in Wakefield, Bridger was given a whole-life sentence after a jury took four hours to find him guilty. It emerged during the month-long trial that Bridger had a collection of images of girls being sexually abused, and had collated pictures of April and her sisters from Facebook.