A fund-raising campaign has begun to support the family of a prison officer at HMP Whitemoor who was seriously injured after being attacked by an inmate. Appeal organisers want the money to help the prison officer’s family meet the bills and to go towards paying for 110-mile daily round trips to visit him in hospital.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched this week after family and friends realised how long it will take for the prison officer to recover.
“He was assaulted on 14th March, which led to him having serious injuries,” says the GoFundMe appeal organiser.
“His family have asked for his name and picture not to be shared.
“As a result of being assaulted, he has spent almost 3.5 weeks in intensive care following on from surgery due to a bleed on his brain.
Whitemoor Prison, March, Cambridgeshire, as forensics experts searched for DNA and other evidence after a prison officer was seriously assaulted. PHOTO: TERRY HARRIS“He is now awake and been moved to a ward. He has several months of extensive rehabilitation ahead and at least another couple of months in hospital before he can come home.”
The appeal organiser said the prisoner officer is “receiving daily visits from both sides of his family and whilst they’ve obviously not complained about costs, I’m aware this is becoming costly for them with daily train tickets and fuel.
“As well as refreshments for themselves and things they are buying for their son.
“Each side of his family are doing a 110-mile round trip daily as he’s in a specialist neuro hospital, which is where he will be staying for most of his rehabilitation.
“It would be so nice if we would raise some money for his family to take off some of the financial strain they’re going to soon be facing.”
In June, several staff across the prison estate will be taking part in a 3 Peaks challenge to raise money for the officer and his family. The Three Peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon) are the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales. The challenge is to climb each of these three peaks – one after the other!
The GoFundMe appeal organiser added; “Any help would be appreciated, no matter how small. All money raised will go to the officer’s family.” You can donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/kw-fundraiser-to-help-support-family-with-travel-costs
The Ministry of Justice told CambsNews the attack on the officer remains a matter for investigation by Cambridgeshire Police.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said they were called to Whitemoor on March 14 “with reports of a serious assault. The victim of the attack was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious, but stable, condition.
“An investigation is ongoing.”
No charges have yet been brought against the prisoner responsible for the attack.
Coincidentally a Whitemoor inmate was in court yesterday after biting off a prison officer’s ear lobe following an argument about a dressing gown.
Nathan Deacon, 36, was on his way to collect his evening meal at about 6.30pm on 14 September 2020 when he was stopped by the prison officer at a gate.
Deacon was wearing a dressing gown, which was not allowed in the catering area.
When challenged about this, Deacon became argumentative and attempted to push by the victim. As the officer tried to restrain him, Deacon leant in and bit off his ear lobe.
The officer was taken to hospital, but it was established the ear lobe could not be re-attached.
Yesterday (8 April) at Cambridge Crown Court Deacon pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm without intent.
He was ordered to serve an additional three years in prison at the end of his current sentence.
DC Emma Purser said: “This was a vicious attack that has left the victim permanently disfigured.
“The prison officer was simply doing his job by trying to enforce the rules of the prison. “To attack him in this way is completely unacceptable.”
