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A senior prison officer has won £35,000 in compensation for injuries he sustained when he was attacked by an inmate.
Iain Fleming was working in the Segregation Unit at HM Prison Swaleside, a Category B men's prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. He was on duty in the canteen area when an inmate began assaulting one of his colleagues with two sharpened plastic knives. Mr Fleming went to his co-worker's rescue and, in the ensuing struggle, was stabbed five times before any other officers came to his assistance.
In addition to his physical injuries, Mr Fleming also developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident. Whilst he has recovered from his mental injuries, permanent damage to his shoulder has meant that he can no longer continue working as a prison officer.
Mr Fleming's employer denied all liability for the injuries he suffered in the attack. However, it emerged that the inmate's conduct had previously given cause for concern, including making threats to other staff members. This should have resulted in additional security measures being put in place, including having three members of staff accompany him when he left his cell. This procedure had not been followed, however, and a compensation settlement was negotiated.