CRE publishes 'shocking' report on racist prison killing

A report, published today by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), has concluded that a "shocking catalogue of failure" set the scene for the killing of a prisoner at Feltham young offenders centre in March 2000.

The commission says that the issue of racism in prisons was "tragically highlighted" by the death of Zahid Mubarek at the hands of his cellmate, Robert Stewart, and its report details 20 areas of failure in the management systems at the centre.

Trevor Phillips, chair of the CRE, slammed "failures by the prison service" to provide Mubarek with appropriate protection.

He added: "I am convinced that had Zahid been white, he would not have died.

"Each of the 20 failures allowed Robert Stewart to progress towards his murderous destination. Had any of them been dealt with, this killing would probably have been avoided."

The report finds that Stewart's security file, detailing "his violent history" was not read, he was not seen by a doctor or a psychiatrist, his letters to friends "detailing his racist thoughts and murderous intentions" were never read by prison staff or, that they were read and no action was taken. The finding of "unlawful discrimination" stems from these failures, the CRE says.

The report added that there was a legal basis for the commission to serve a Non-Discrimination Notice on HM Prison Service – but it had decided not to "immediately issue such a Notice".

The CRE has begun talks with the Prison Service to seek to establish an action programme to overcome the "major problems and institutional weaknesses revealed by the Investigation".

Mr Philips said that the new Director General, Phil Wheatley, was "committed" and that moves have already to "rectify some of the areas of failure".

Mr Wheatley said: "I recognise, like my predecessor did immediately, that the tragic death of Zahid Mubarek was a result of a failure by the Prison Service to protect him. With such a high proportion of the prison population from a black and minority ethnic background I share the desire to build on what we have achieved since the tragic events of March 2000 to ensure that such an incident is never repeated. I welcome the opportunity of working with the CRE to ensure this is the case."

The second part of the report, due to be launched in the autumn, will address the need to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different racial groups in HM Prison Service.

(GMcG)