A prisoner attacked a prison officer with a porcelain plate

On Wednesday morning, the Luxembourg Prison Officers’ Association (AAP) reported a violent incident at Uerschterhaff Penitentiary, located in the municipality of Sanem. One of the prisoners attacked a prison officer, using a porcelain plate as a weapon. As a result of the blows, the prison officer sustained serious injuries to his face and skull. Furthermore, whilst attempting to subdue the attacker, other prison officers encountered active physical resistance from him.

The attack has sparked a new wave of debate about staff safety in the country’s prisons. Representatives of the AAP trade union have stated that prison staff are regularly exposed to a high risk of violence, yet the authorities’ response remains unacceptably slow. According to the association, endless political initiatives and protracted mediation processes do not solve the real problems, whilst staff working conditions continue to deteriorate.

In its official press release, the Prison Officers’ Association emphasised that mere sympathy and promises from management are no longer enough. The trade union called on the authorities to listen to those working on the ground and to take concrete action. The staff’s main demand is for the immediate and large-scale recruitment of new staff, which will help to eliminate the acute staff shortage and improve public and personal safety within prison complexes.