Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prison governor so badly wounded he 'needed facial reconstruction surgery' following 'attack by inmate'

'His nose was very badly damaged, literally bent the other way. He’s got external and internal stitches, including several inside his mouth. He can’t feel a thing on the left side of his face'

Siobhan Fenton
Health and Social Affairs correspondent
Sunday 07 August 2016 16:03 BST
The attack reportedly occurred in the canteen at Wayland Prison, Norfolk
The attack reportedly occurred in the canteen at Wayland Prison, Norfolk

A prison governor was so badly wounded in a brutal attack by an inmate that he had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his face, it has been reported.

Paul Cawkwell was reportedly violently assaulted in the canteen at Wayland prison Norfolk earlier this week. A spokesperson for the prison confirmed to local media that an incident had occurred and is currently being investigated by police, before declining to give further details.

A source reportedly told The Sunday Times the extent of his injuries was such that he had to undergo facial reconstructive surgery after suffering a collapsed eye socket, fractured cheekbone and broken nose. The source said: “The extent of the damage to Paul’s face is very concerning. The surgeons had to make a large incision around his temple to fit a titanium plate over his eye socket.

“His nose was very badly damaged, literally bent the other way. He’s got external and internal stitches, including several inside his mouth. He can’t feel a thing on the left side of his face. It could be months before he fully recovers, even with all the antibiotics and painkillers he’s been given.”

In April, analysis of prison data by The Independent found violence inside UK prisons has rocketed since the coalition government instigated reforms in 2010. The number of violent attacks involving knives has increased from 212 in 2010 to 491 in 2015. Sexual violence inside prisons has increased from 137 in 2010 to 300 in 2015. Campaigners and prison reform advocates have argued that staffing cuts are putting increased strain on prison environments.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said they were aware of the incident but cannot comment while investigations are underway: “This incident is now being investigated by police, therefore we cannot comment.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in