PRISON officers at a high-security jail refused to unlock inmates yesterday and passed a vote of no confidence in its governor following an attack in which a colleague was stabbed.

The Prison Service last night confirmed an incident had taken place at Frankland Prison, near Durham City, at lunchtime when a number of staff briefly refused to unlock prisoners, before negotiations brought the situation to an end.

Feelings in the prison are thought to have been running high since Saturday when an inmate, said to be convicted killer Kevan Thakrar, attacked three officers with a broken bottle, leaving one fighting for his life.

A source told The Northern Echo officers were furious that governor Dave Thompson had not immediately locked down the prison and conducted a full search for weapons.

Yesterday morning, they “overwhelmingly”

passed a vote of no confidence in the governor.

The source said staff had also carried out their own lockdown and launched a weapon search.

The Prison Service last night declined to comment on the vote, but a spokesman said: “A number of staff at HMP Frankland refused to unlock prisoners after lunch.

“Senior managers spoke with the local Prison Officers’ Association (POA) branch and brought the situation to speedy resolution.”

Yesterday’s action came hours after Mr Thompson issued a statement to The Northern Echo, insisting Frankland was safe, praising the professionalism of his officers and seeking to reassure the public.

Mr Thompson said: “This was a particularly nasty incident directed towards staff by one inmate.

“Thankfully, such incidents are rare and through the professionalism of staff at Frankland, it remains a safe environment, but due to the nature of our business there is always a danger that individuals who have a propensity for violence may resort to such behaviour.”

Colin Moses, chairman of the POA, said: “When are we going to see some sort of responsibility from the management and the governor, to stop glass instruments entering our prisons?

“We’re asking for an immediate ban on all glass containers coming into our prisons.”

The POA has also demanded that officers be issued with stab vests.

The stabbing happened on Frankland’s G-wing.

Craig Wylde, 28, was stabbed in the arm, suffering a severed artery and he remains in hospital.

A female officer was stabbed in the back and a third officer, who is believed to have rugby-tackled the prisoner, was slashed across the face.