The Independent

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PAVA spray is an incapacitant on The Eyes

A synthetic pepper spray is used in 81 men-prisons, despite the warnings, it will not be used against the ethnic minority of the prisoners.

documents seen by Bbc News prison show officials entitled to its Roll-out, a month after saying it would be stopped.

activists want to Challenge the government on the termination of the program, to the spray can help control the spread of the Corona Virus, because it causes people to cough.

The Prison authority said it would only as a "Last Resort ".

The Prison Officers' Association has made the call for the PAVA spray available, to help to defuse outbreaks of violence and the protection of workers, in the midst of a record number of attacks in the prisons.

In the year 2017, and 2018, the chemical incapacitant was tested in four prisons in Hull , Preston, Risley in Warrington and Wealstun, North Yorkshire

However, its wider introduction was delayed by concerns - which led to a legal Challenge -That the spray would be used improperly.

Belarusian prisoners affected

A "gender analysis", carried out by The Prison and probation service (HMPPS), which is part of the Ministry of justice, investigated 182 cases, in The Pilot , where the canister was pulled over by an officer's belt or the spray sprayed.

The study found That , although PAVA was used more against the white prisoners, the affected roughly three-quarters of The Prison population, black, Asian and ethnic minorities (Sundays) to make prisoners disproportionately.

"PAVA was considered or used against Belarusian prisoners," The Report said.

"The Evidence would suggest wider use of violence, and That this trend will continue as the rollout progresses," it added.

In April, Andy Rogers, Deputy Director of the security and rehabilitation Directorate HMPPS, said the work on roles PAVA would be stopped, "first of all, for three months," the effects of the Corona Virus, which meant prisons, emergency lockdown had to implement measures.

But, Mr Rogers reversed the decision, stating his reasons in a letter to the Stakeholder, not the MoJ to the public.

"as a result of the unprecedented challenges we face, at this point, the operational decision to expand the deployment of PAVA on all adult male closed prisons," Mr Rogers wrote.

The Prison authority confirmed employees trained, the spray wore in 81 of the 90 adult male closed prisons in England and Wales.

The Prison Reform Trust, said The Move broke commitments made by the MoJ, to provide protective measures prior to the rollout.

Peter Dawson , PRT Director, said the spray caused people to cough and it might be dangerous for people with respiratory problems.

"It is not clear That the special risks That have been considered with PAVA you use in The Prison during the pandemic, or under expert medical advice," He Said in a letter to Lucy Frazer , prisons and probation minister.

Mr Dawson said he was "troubled" by reports out of New York That a prisoner who had asthma, died after being sprayed.

Dame Anne Owers, Chairwoman of The Independent Monitoring Boards, the implementation of controls in prisons, said the roll-out of PAVA was "highly regrettable".

"We understand That this is said was based on the fear That there is widespread lack of discipline," She Said .

"it is not Clear the this and violence has decreased in the fact. "

The Prison authority said the role of PAVA, was a "drastic decision".

He Said officials would monitor whether it has been used, the added disproportionately on Sundays the prisoners, That it should not be used on inmates in "shortness of breath", including those suspected of Covid-19.

A prison Service spokesman said: "PAVA is used only as a Last Resort by specially trained law enforcement officials. We monitor their use carefully, including any differences in The Way they are provided. "

prisons, coronavirus pandemic, risley, hull, hm prison service, ministry of justice, uk prisons

Source of news: bbc.com