A former prison support guard who claims bullying, harassment and a workplace confrontation left her life “in ruins” is suing the Ministry of Justice.

Kim Simons, 52, from Violet Lane, Croydon, worked at HMP Downview on the border between Banstead and Sutton for seven years.

But she was medically retired in August 2013, after a traumatic confrontation with inmates at the prison’s college left her with a raft of mental health issues including depression and anxiety, rendering her unable to work.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) denied liability for Ms Simons’ condition in a letter of response written on March 30, 2016. An MoJ spokesperson said Ms Simons’ case, as well as all staff grievances, was being taken seriously.

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Ms Simons claims that on August 26, 2013, she was placed in a supervisory position over about 70 inmates from nearby HMP High Down who were attending a training facility housed at the closed prison. Her job description stipulated she should only look after five to seven prisoners, and so Ms Simons claims this was a breach of contract.

While temporarily in charge of the group, she was confronted by three angry inmates demanding she open a toilet for them.

Despite opening a cubicle for them, Ms Simons claims their anger did not subside and she was forced to take refuge in her office while a prison guard – who was on the other side of the prison at the time – came to diffuse the situation.

“I seriously thought I was going to be beaten to a pulp,” she claimed.

“I got up to go to work the next day and my knees were knocking and I was visibly shaking.

“I ended up going over the edge. That was the beginning of a nervous breakdown.”

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Her doctor at Violet Lane Medical Practice in Croydon, Dr Paris Ioannou, certified in January 2014 that Ms Simons was “suffering from mixed depression and anxiety brought on by stress at work”. Dr Ioannou also stated that Ms Simons was “being harassed and bullied in the workplace”.

Ms Simons also claims she suffers from panic attacks and agoraphobia – the fear of open or public spaces.

In March 2015 the Department for Work and Pensions decided Ms Simons had suffered “loss of faculty” after the incident and agreed to pay her industrial injuries disablement benefit.

But she has so far been frustrated in her efforts to seek an apology and receive compensation, and was denied legal aid in August 2016.

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Ms Simons is seeking compensation from the Ministry of Justice for loss of earning totalling about £180,000, plus reparations for mental anguish.

“I still can’t get any resolution to it,” Ms Simons explained.

“I’m now surviving on benefits and trying to get my voice heard.

“I have flashbacks about it, and there are days when I don’t leave the house. I feel my life is in ruins.

“How can I be disabled and on benefits for the rest of my life, and they don’t accept responsibility for it?”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Safety in our prisons is fundamental to the proper functioning of our justice system and a vital part of our reform plans.

"All staff grievances are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly."

HMP Downview was officially closed for refurbishment in April 2013 and all 279 inmates were transferred to other prisons across the country. However, a learning centre for prisoners from HMP High Down remained open.

The prison was re-opened in May 2016 and is currently building up its population.

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