An inmate has been arrested after a prison officer had his throat slashed with a razor blade at HMP Isle of Wight. The attack occurred on Saturday as the officer was escorting the prisoner back to his cell.
The prison confirmed that the officer sustained 'superficial' cuts to his throat and was left 'shaken' by the incident. A 24-year-old inmate was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Neil Yule, chairman of the Prison Officer's Association at HMP Isle of Wight's Albany branch, said the inmate had hidden a razor blade in his mouth after receiving medical treatment. 'Thankfully the wounds are superficial, however the attempt was certainly to cause major damage. It was a very nasty incident,' he said.
Mr Yule added that, although the injured officer's wounds would heal, mentally he remained 'very shaken'. 'I think it could have been an awful lot worse and the prison officer has had an exceptionally lucky escape,' he said.
The inmate has been transferred to Parkhurst prison on the Isle of Wight. A Prison Service spokesman said: 'We do not tolerate violence against our hard-working and dedicated staff, and when incidents like this occur, we work closely with the police to push for the strongest possible punishment.'
HMP Isle of Wight was created in 2009 with the merger of Parkhurst, Albany and Camp Hill prisons; the latter facility closed in 2013.
