Prison officer praised for bravery
Tuesday 21st July 2009, 8:50AM BST.
Mark Cook receives a bravery award from prison service director general Phil Wheatley
A prison officer attacked during a seven-hour riot at Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution has been commended for his bravery.
Mark Cook, who was left badly injured after being attacked by a prisoner, was yesterday handed the Director General’s commendation.
Mr Cook was working on D wing on September 29 when the riot broke out, unaware other staff had withdrawn from the wing.
The prisoner repeatedly hit him with a pool cue and threw snooker balls at him.
He asked Mr Cook for the keys, but he refused to hand them over and waited until his colleague returned before leaving the jail and securing the gate and prisoners inside.
Mr Cook, who now works at Stafford pri- son, collapsed and was taken to hospital.
Handing over the commendation at Stoke Heath, Phil Wheatley, director general of the National Offender Management Service, praised Mr Cook’s actions.
He told Mr him: “Without your act of selflessness, it is likely your colleague would have been injur- ed and the incident would have escalated further had you handed over your keys.
“Your act of bravery is a credit to both HMYOI Stoke Heath and HM Prison Service.”
Mr Cook said he was “proud” to do his job, adding: “You’re aware of the dangers every day, but I wouldn’t be in it if I didn’t enjoy it.”
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