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<p>With regard non HMPPS employees working in prisons, we work closely at all levels
with their employers and staff unions. There is a wide range of procedures and systems
in place across the estate to control and mitigate their exposures to the risk referred
to.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance was issued in 2017 on the control of secondary exposure
and scientific research into the risk commenced in May 2018 and is currently focused
on post-exposure testing of staff across ten prisons. It has been agreed that the
testing programme will be expanded to include a further 10 prisons.</p><p> </p><p>Violence
against those working in prisons will never be tolerated. The Assaults on Emergency
Workers (Offences) Act received Royal Assent on 13 September and came into force on
13 November. This will increase the penalty, from 6 to 12 months, for those who assault
emergency workers including prison officers. We provide post-incident care teams,
occupational health support and counselling for members of staff who are assaulted
while doing their jobs.</p>
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