10/08/2011
Wandsworth Prison Slammed As 'Unsafe'
The treatment of inmates at Wandsworth Prison has been criicised in a report as "demeaning, unsafe and... below what could be classed as decent".
Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick's report found high levels of self-harm and self-inflicted deaths and poor relationships between staff.
The report also noted incidents of staff using abusive language to prisoners, a failure to adequately protect bullying victims and prisoners being locked in their cells between 16.5 and 22 hours per day.
Mr Hardwick said that managers at the prison did not appear willing to acknowledge or address concerns and warned that prisoner safety at the prison was now a matter of "serious concern".
The report warned that conditions at the prison were now worse than they were at the time of the last inspection in June 2009.
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said that the report was "deeply concerning". She said: "Such abuse hampers safe return to the community and puts victims at risk."
Michael Spurr, Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service, admitted that the report was poor, but said that action was being taken to address the report's recommendations. He said: "Managers and staff at the prison are in no doubt that they must improve performance."
(KMcA/BMcC)
Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick's report found high levels of self-harm and self-inflicted deaths and poor relationships between staff.
The report also noted incidents of staff using abusive language to prisoners, a failure to adequately protect bullying victims and prisoners being locked in their cells between 16.5 and 22 hours per day.
Mr Hardwick said that managers at the prison did not appear willing to acknowledge or address concerns and warned that prisoner safety at the prison was now a matter of "serious concern".
The report warned that conditions at the prison were now worse than they were at the time of the last inspection in June 2009.
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said that the report was "deeply concerning". She said: "Such abuse hampers safe return to the community and puts victims at risk."
Michael Spurr, Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service, admitted that the report was poor, but said that action was being taken to address the report's recommendations. He said: "Managers and staff at the prison are in no doubt that they must improve performance."
(KMcA/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.