In the wake of a violent attack by Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, on prison officers at HMP Frankland, the UK's prison staff are calling for enhanced safety measures. The incident, which involved homemade knives and hot oil, has reignited the debate over the safety of prison officers working with high-risk inmates. Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, emphasized the need for tactical options like stun guns to neutralize threats effectively.

Official figures reveal a disturbing rise in violence within UK prisons, with HMP Frankland experiencing its highest assault rates in nearly a decade. The Ministry of Justice reported a record number of assaults on staff across England and Wales, underscoring the urgent need for improved security measures. In response, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a trial deployment of Tasers and a review into the provision of stab vests for prison officers.

The attack at HMP Frankland has also prompted a temporary suspension of kitchen access for inmates in separation units, highlighting concerns over the management of high-risk prisoners. The move comes as part of broader efforts to reassess and enhance the safety protocols within the UK's prison system, ensuring the protection of both staff and inmates.

As the Ministry of Justice continues to evaluate the effectiveness of current security measures, the incident at HMP Frankland serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by prison officers. The call for stun guns and body armor reflects a growing consensus on the need for more robust protections in an increasingly volatile environment. The outcome of the ongoing reviews and trials will be closely watched by all stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

Kilcoo secured their place in Down football history on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented seventh consecutive Senior Football Championship title with a 1-17 to 1-11 victory over Carryduff at Pairc Esler. The Magpies delivered their strongest performance of the championship when it mattered most, with Paul Devlin's first-half penalty goal providing crucial separation in a hard-fought contest that saw the throw-in time pushed back to 5pm following a pitch inspection.

The match, originally scheduled for 3:30pm, saw Kilcoo demonstrate the championship experience that has defined their remarkable 12-title run over 13 seasons. Devlin's 22nd-minute penalty strike down the middle proved decisive, with the player explaining his calculated approach: "It was a big moment in the game and it needed to go in, so I didn't want to put it in the corner and the keeper has a chance if diving. I just thought I wanted to hit it hard."

Carryduff, making their first final appearance since losing to Kilcoo in the 2020 decider, mounted a second-half rally but ultimately fell short of claiming what would have been their inaugural Frank O'Hare Cup. The South Belfast club had powered past Burren in the semi-final with their full contingent available, but couldn't overcome Kilcoo's championship pedigree despite showing improved form from their previous final appearance five years earlier.

Devlin expressed satisfaction with the victory amid external skepticism, noting "it's nice to see that people want Kilcoo to fall" while emphasizing the team's resilience. "This one is sweet with how the game played out and the build-up where we were doubted in this year's championship," he told BBC Sport NI. "It just shows the character of this team. Big teams play well in big games and we have that experience to put in those big performances." The win solidifies Kilcoo's status as the dominant force in Down football, achieving a landmark that had eluded them when Burren denied their seventh consecutive title bid in 2018.