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A former prison officer at HMP Swaleside who suffered racist abuse from colleagues has won an employment tribunal.<\/p>\n
Nigerian-born Uzo Mbonu said he was targeted and ostracised by other officers at the high-security prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent.<\/p>\n
The tribunal found Mr Mbonu had been a victim of both race discrimination and harassment, and that he was unfairly dismissed.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for HM Prison Service said it would “carefully consider” the judgement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
When Mr Mbonu first began working at HMP Swaleside in 2018, he said he was thrilled and wanted to make a difference to the lives of prisoners.<\/p>\n
But he also said he was not afraid to speak out when he saw other officers behaving “badly” and that this led to him becoming the victim of a “witch hunt”.<\/p>\n
“I was left feeling desolate and awful, despondent and dejected, I was completely battered emotionally,” said Mr Mbonu.<\/p>\n
“My horrendous experience in the prison service, HMP Swaleside in particular, has left me completely devastated.<\/p>\n
“I suffer PTSD, anxiety and depression.”<\/p>\n
A report from the tribunal found there appeared to be “an unusual tolerance” for offence and “obviously racist” remarks at the prison.<\/p>\n
“We find it entirely understandable why Mr Mbonu would become increasingly distressed and paranoid,” the report states.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the prison service said it has a specific unit dedicated to improving the working environment for its officers by providing support, insight and expertise to anyone raising concerns.<\/p>\n
“All reported incidents of discrimination are taken extremely seriously and investigated robustly,” they added.<\/p>\n
A second hearing will be held at a later date to decide on the compensation Mr Mbonu will receive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n