FORMER Prison Governor Niall Clifford posed the question why would any prison officer report for work at any after the not guilty verdict handed to Kevin Thakrar

at Newcastle Crown Court after his attack on three staff at HMP Frankland (HAS, Nov 11).

Mr Clifford knows very well that staff will do their duties professionally, as they always do, every day. They strive to carry out the core work of the Prison Service, helping those who have been sentenced by the courts to lead a better law-abiding life. This core work is done against a background of physical and verbal abuse from society's failures.

A prison officer's job description includes keeping prisoners safe.

Who keeps the prison officer safe?

I have never felt so desolate as I did on hearing the verdict of Newcastle Crown Court, not only for the three staff and their families who have suffered both physically and mentally for the last 18 months, but also for all other prison officers who now know that the criminal justice system, of which they are part, has let them down.

Retired prison officer,

Name and address supplied.