Prisons Inmates 'Moved Before Inspections'

Vulnerable prisoners were moved between two London prisons in an attempt to manipulate inspectors carrying out their official inspections, it has been revealed.

A report conducted by the Prisons Inspectorate found that managers at Wandsworth and Pentonville prisons had agreed to swap inmates who were seen as 'difficult' in order to improve results in official inspections.

Five senior managers from both prisons - the two former governors of both prisons, Ian Mulholland and Nick Leader, and three other senior staff - are now facing the prospect of disciplinary action.

The report found that five prisoners had been moved from Wandsworth and six from Pentonville, ahead of inspections in May and June respectively.

The report found that the moves were still sanctioned despite risks of suicide. One Wandsworth inmate attempted to commit suicide with an overdose of prescription drugs after hearing that he was to be moved to Pentonville, while another Wandsworth inmate had cut himself and tied a ligature around his neck, but was still removed from his cell, wearing only his underwear and with a bloody face, and transfered to Pentonville, the report said.

Separately, the Prison Ombudsman is investigating the case of another Wandsworth prisoner, Christopher Wardally, who was not part of the same transfer process, but was taken to Pentonville temporarily following a court appearance. He apparently killed himself shortly afterwards.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has announced that an investigation will be launched into whether transfers of inmates before inspections was widespread in the prison system.

Dame Anne Owers, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, described the actions as "irresponsible, pointless and potentially dangerous". She said: "Sadly, for the many staff and managers who had worked hard to improve the two prisons, their efforts will inevitably be overshadowed by these events. Instead, the inspections will be remembered for the unacceptable attempts, at managerial level, to subvert the inspection process at the expense of prisoners' well-being.

"This is deplorable, not only because of the effects on individuals, but because of the underlying mind-set: that prisoners are merely pieces to be moved around the board to meet performance targets or burnish the reputation of the prison."

Jack Straw also described the transfer of the prisoners as "disgraceful in its intent and in its execution". He added: "In its misguided effort to present the prisons in a better light, it neglected one of the service's primary responsibilities - to treat those in its custody with decency and care."

Phil Wheatley, Director General of the National Offender Management Service, said that the transfers were "completely unacceptable" and that the purpose had been to manipulate the inspection process, which was "reprehensible".

Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "This attempt to undermine the inspection process raises stark questions about whether all future prison inspections should be unannounced."

(KMcA/BMcC)