13,000 Body Cameras Roll Out to Every Prison Officer in England and Wales
The new Lord Chancellor has unveiled a game-changing security blitz: 13,000 high-tech body cameras are now available to every prison officer in England and Wales on shift. The move is set to crack down hard on prison violence, protect staff, and snuff out false prisoner claims.
High-Tech Cameras to Tackle Prison Crime
- Body-worn video tech acts as a visible deterrent to prisoner troublemakers.
- Records incidents in crystal-clear video to back up prosecutions and shield staff.
Alex Chalk KC, stepping in as Lord Chancellor, announced the rollout during a visit to HMP Isis in London. This doubles the number of cameras available, giving officers the tools to better handle hostile situations and preventing fake accusations.
A 2020 pilot study highlighted an unexpected bonus: the cameras boost trust between prison staff and inmates, helping calm tense moments.
Sharper Footage, Faster Justice
The upgraded devices boast superior image and audio quality, turbocharging evidence collection. This can speed up prison hearings, support criminal prosecutions, and slash costly legal battles — saving taxpayers serious cash.
They also cut down on unnecessary payouts to prisoners making false claims. For example, footage from a recent incident at HMP Rochester disproved an inmate’s assault claim, showing prison staff used reasonable force.
Alex Chalk KC, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, said:
“These new, improved video cameras are proving highly effective at preventing vexatious claims by prisoners, calming volatile situations, and keeping our dedicated prison officers and our prisons safe.
Other security measures including synthetic pepper spray, x-ray body scanners, and airport-style security are helping turn prisoners away from crime and towards purposeful activity.”
Part of a £100 Million Safety Push
The camera rollout is part of a £100 million investment aimed at ramping up prison safety and protecting frontline staff. It builds on previous upgrades like PAVA spray and police-style restraints in men’s prisons.
It comes amid tougher sentences for assaults on emergency workers, with maximum prison terms for attacks on officers doubled to two years under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
Jade Turner, Custodial Manager at HMP Styal, said:
“As prison officers, sometimes we have to deal with difficult situations and I have found body worn cameras help make my job safer, while reassuring prisoners we will work with them openly and transparently.”
Prison security isn’t stopping there. Game-changing X-ray scanners have since blocked over 28,000 attempts to smuggle drugs, phones, and weapons into jails.
In December, the government struck the Crime in Prisons Referral Agreement with Counter Terror Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, cracking down harder on offenders committing crimes behind bars.
