MPs debate prison vest proposals after HMP Frankland incident
Easington MP Grahame Morris said prison officers who bear the brunt of violence in jails across the country “must be protected”, in a Westminster Hall debate on Thursday (March 26).
Led by New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis, the 3pm debate came just over a year after former monster mansion officer Claire Lewis from Washington started a petition in a bid to give all officers mandatory protective gear.
The petition gained more than 30,000 signatures after officers at her former workplace were reportedly doused in hot oil and attacked with makeshift weapons in April 2025.
In early June 2025 it was confirmed that officers in certain prison centres/units would be given protection – but Claire, 50, who was herself stabbed with a broken bottle during an attack by killer Kevan Thakrar in 2010, believes officers across the board should have protection.
Speaking during the debate, Mr Morris spoke of the “violence” in prisons, adding the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) have long called for universal stab vests.
He said: “The horrific attacks on prison officers in the high security estates including in HMP Frankland were really quite shocking and a wake up call for the government and the prison service to take action.
“Action the POA have long called for.
“It is going to take serious investmentβ¦ to bring violence down. Prison officers who bear the brunt of this violence must be protected.
“The bottom line is, if the Prison Officers Association say their members in these prisons need stab-proof vests, who are we to say they donβt?”
Sir Julian also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Claire’s campaigning directly, paying tribute to her “remarkable commitment and dedication in turning such a dreadful experience into an inspirational campaign for change.”
He added: “Too many at-risk staff remain without protection. Let us be clear, any prison officer working on any wing of any prison can be attacked.
“Therefore, any prison officer working on any wing of any prison deserves to be protected from violence while trying to do his or her job.
“Yes, progress has been made, but as long as any prison officers lack protection and remain vulnerable to attack, there is still work to do.”
Speaking on behalf of Claire, her husband, Jed Mulheran, 57, told the Northern Echo that the debate, as a whole, was a “positive” discussion.
He said: “Claire feels empowered by today’s debate. Everything she suffered is not going to be for nothing and there is going to be a positive outcome to protect other members of staff.
“She’d like to thank the members for their debate and the recognition given to her. Moving forward, she is hoping for a successful conclusion to the petition to try and improve security for serving members.
“She is grateful for the 32,000 people who signed the petition to help get this debated. Without that, she wouldn’t have got there.”
Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi was charged with attempted murder, assault causing actual bodily harm and having offensive weapons inside a prison after the April incident at HMP Frankland.
Appearing at The Old Bailey in London in October, Abedi, 28, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Abediβs trial would take place from January 18, 2027 and go on for two to three weeks.