PAVA

I have the utmost respect for the various commentators who’ve expressed concerns about PAVA spray being rolled out across the estate [link]. I must say I feel uncomfortable about it myself. But prisons are undoubtedly struggling at the moment, and if this helps staff to feel more confident and regain control of our jails then so be it. After all, it’s they, not us, who have to run towards trouble when the alarm bells sound, and they, not us, who put their bodies on the line when needs be. And as far as I understand, this has been trialled in a number of prisons and hasn’t caused the problems suggested.