A brutal attack at HMP Frankland has left three prison officers with life-threatening injuries after a convicted terrorist launched a violent assault in the high-security prison’s separation unit.
Hashem Abedi, the brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, is accused of throwing boiling oil and stabbing officers with improvised weapons in an unprovoked rampage that has reignited concerns over prison safety and the management of high-risk inmates.
Violent Attack in High-Security Unit
The incident occurred on Saturday, 12 April, in the separation centre of HMP Frankland—an area designed to hold Britain’s most dangerous extremist offenders. Abedi reportedly scalded staff with hot cooking oil before attacking them with homemade weapons, inflicting burns and stab wounds.
The officers were immediately rushed to hospital. As of Saturday evening, they remain in serious condition. Their identities have not been released.
HMP Frankland, nicknamed “Monster Mansion” due to its population of notorious criminals, has long faced scrutiny over inmate violence and the pressure placed on frontline staff.
Prison Officers Association: “Cowardly and Vicious Attack”
The Prison Officers Association (POA) has strongly condemned the assault. Mark Fairhurst, the POA’s National Chair, described the attack as “cowardly and vicious,” adding:
“No officer should be subject to such appalling violence while simply doing their job. Our thoughts are with the officers and their families. This was a traumatic event and could have ended in tragedy.”
Fairhurst criticised current policies that allow high-risk inmates access to cooking facilities and called for an immediate review of privileges within separation centres. He demanded that prison safety take precedence over “appeasement.”
Steve Gillan, the POA’s General Secretary, labelled the attack “disgraceful,” urging the government and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to act swiftly.
“Our members put themselves on the front line of public safety every day. They deserve better protections, not policies that allow this level of risk.”
Public and Political Reaction
News of the attack has triggered widespread alarm across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). One user wrote, “How is this possible in one of the UK’s highest-security prisons?” Others expressed support for the injured officers and called for systemic reform.
A 2024 BBC report revealed concerns over HMP Frankland’s ageing infrastructure, citing water damage, mould, and poor facilities. Though the Ministry of Justice has committed £300 million to prison maintenance in the next fiscal year, unions argue that physical improvements alone won’t fix staff safety issues.
Violence in UK Prisons: A Growing Crisis
This attack adds to a worrying history of violence at HMP Frankland, including the 2010 stabbing of officer Craig Wylde and a 2011 inmate murder. Assaults on prison staff in England and Wales have risen steadily, according to Ministry of Justice data.
The POA has previously lobbied for stab-resistant uniforms and stricter control measures in high-risk units. However, efforts have often been blocked due to cost or logistical concerns.
Fairhurst’s renewed call for “control and containment” may clash with advocates of rehabilitation, who caution against overly punitive regimes. Still, many believe current measures are failing to protect staff from the country’s most dangerous offenders.
Investigation and Next Steps
The incident is under investigation, with security procedures and risk assessments at HMP Frankland likely to come under immediate review. The POA has pledged to support the injured officers and will meet with prison officials and government ministers to push for urgent changes.
Meanwhile, Hashem Abedi—already serving a minimum 55-year sentence for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing—could face additional charges related to Saturday’s attack.
This shocking incident has brought renewed focus to the risks faced daily by prison officers, and the balance between humane treatment and public safety inside Britain’s most secure institutions.
