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The UK’s prison system is grappling with an alarming shortage of ‘Tornado’ riot officers, as new figures shed light on the staffing crisis plaguing UK prisons.
The number of prison officers trained to handle riots as part of the so-called Tornado squads has plummeted by a third, according to data obtained by The Independent. These officers, organized in 50-strong groups armed with batons and shields, witnessed a surge in deployment in prisons last year amid a surge in violence and disorder. However, their numbers have dwindled significantly, exacerbating concerns about the vulnerability of prisons to violence and gang control.
Inspired by The depletion of Tornado squads coincides with a spike in violence in prisons, with assaults on prisoners and staff increasing by 20 per cent in the year to September. More than 25,000 incidents were reported in a single year, and violence in women’s prisons reached an all-time high, surpassing that in men’s prisons for the first time.
Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed grave concern over the significant decrease in the number of specialist officers available to deal with dangerous situations, including riots, across the prison estate. She criticized the government’s failure to address the ongoing crisis in prisons seriously.
Tornado squads were deployed 13 times in prisons last year, the highest number since at least 2018, indicating a surge in demand for their services. However, the availability of these officers has declined sharply, with nearly 700 fewer officers available compared to 2018.
In addition to the shortage of Tornado squads, the National Tactical Response Group units often likened to the prison system’s SAS, were called out more than twice a day last year. Armed with pepper spray, smoke bombs, and batons, these units were deployed 794 times in 2023, an increase of nearly 40 per cent from the previous year.
While the government does not have a minimum staffing requirement for Tornado squads, unions suggest that a contingency of at least 2,100 volunteers is necessary. However, the actual number of available officers fell to 1,592 in November, rising slightly to 1,620 last month.
Steve Gillan, chief of the Prison Officers Association, expressed alarm over the shortage of Tornado volunteers, labelling it “a wake-up call for everyone.” He emphasized the dire state of the prison service, highlighting issues ranging from overcrowding to rising assaults.
The Justice Secretary announced drastic measures this week to release prisoners up to 60 days early, underscoring the urgency of addressing the crisis before it triggers riots. Gillan urged an “adult conversation” about the number of people being incarcerated and called for a “root and branch” royal commission into the state of the justice system.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service reaffirmed the commitment to the safety of staff and prisoners, highlighting efforts to bolster Tornado teams and invest in security measures to clamp down on violence and improve safety.
