Assault by a Prison Officer

Assault by a Prison Officer

Prison officers have the right to use reasonable force when carrying out their duties. However, assaults by prison officers can happen when excessive or unnecessary force is used and this could lead to a criminal charge of assault.

In the worst incidents of excessive force being used by prison officers, the victims have suffered serious injuries or have even lost their life as a result.

Duncan Lewis Action Against Public Authorities solicitors can advise those who have suffered excessive force at the hands of a prison officer on how to make a formal complaint to the prison in question or how to make a personal injury claim.

We are also able to offer this service to families of those who have been injured and cannot act for themselves, or bereaved families who have lost loved ones as a result of assault by a prison officer.

Duncan Lewis strongly advises that anyone wishing to make a complaint about assault or excessive force by a prison officer contacts our Action Against Public Authorities solicitors as soon as possible when details of the incident are still clear – such as witness statements and CCTV footage – and available.

Personal injury claims need to be made within three years of the incident or the diagnosis of injury.

Duncan Lewis may be able to secure legal aid, or to offer a no win no fee arrangement for advising on prison assault claims– with competitively priced rates for privately funding a claim or After the Event (ATE) insurance, if either legal aid is unavailable or where a no win no fee basis is not possible.

For expert legal advice on actions against prisons and assault or use of excessive force by prison officers, call Duncan Lewis Action Against Public Authorities solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409.