(English) HMP Wayland governor ‘beaten by inmate in canteen’

A prison governor was seriously injured during an “unprovoked” beating at the hands of an inmate.

Paul Cawkwell was talking to a prisoner in the canteen at HMP Wayland, Norfolk, when he was attacked, a source told the BBC.

The source, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the inmate had been transferred to another jail since last Wednesday’s attack.

Police are investigating the assault, the Ministry of Justice confirmed.

The source expressed concerns about staffing at the category C prison, echoing the findings of a report last year.

“Out of anyone, you would have thought there would have been people around who would have been able to get him away quickly.”

Mr Cawkwell, who has held a number of senior positions in the prison service, has received hospital treatment for his injuries.

A prison service spokesman said it did not tolerate violence against staff and would “push for the strongest possible punishment”.