Desperate prison officers have tried negotiating, but all efforts have failed – leaving the life of the captive in imminent danger. Fortunately, the hostage scenario described above was a demonstration. Justice Secretary David Lammy watched on as the officers reenacted a hostage scenario inside a mock-up prison built inside their Oxfordshire compound, a high-security site surrounded by tall fences. After the hostage scenario, Mr Lammy was given a demonstration of the ORRU's other capabilities, including its dog unit. Four prison officers were injured at the jail in County Durham, with three taken to hospital.

Source: Daily Mail March 27, 2026 12:50 UTC