Menu
14/08/2006
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
The allegation will be investigated by senior governors from other prisons in the London area.
The spokesperson added: "If any alleged or otherwise suspected criminal activity is uncovered during the investigations, relevant information will be passed to the police."
Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said that corruption would not be tolerated. He said: "Allegations of corruption will be investigated thoroughly and where evidence is found to support these allegations, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken."
It was also announced that Pentonville will "briefly reduce" its maximum number of inmates as a result of the allegations.
Pentonville prison, which dates back to 1842, can hold up to 1,177 male prisoners.
The announcement of the suspension of the officers came after the publication of a report, which suggested that around 1,000 prison officers were believed to be involved in corruption.
The report, the result of a year-long investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Prison Service's anti-corruption unit, was leaked to the BBC last month.
The report suggested that more than 500 prison staff had "inappropriate relationships" with inmates, but did find that most prison staff were honest.
(KMcA)
A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
The allegation will be investigated by senior governors from other prisons in the London area.
The spokesperson added: "If any alleged or otherwise suspected criminal activity is uncovered during the investigations, relevant information will be passed to the police."
Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said that corruption would not be tolerated. He said: "Allegations of corruption will be investigated thoroughly and where evidence is found to support these allegations, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken."
It was also announced that Pentonville will "briefly reduce" its maximum number of inmates as a result of the allegations.
Pentonville prison, which dates back to 1842, can hold up to 1,177 male prisoners.
The announcement of the suspension of the officers came after the publication of a report, which suggested that around 1,000 prison officers were believed to be involved in corruption.
The report, the result of a year-long investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Prison Service's anti-corruption unit, was leaked to the BBC last month.
The report suggested that more than 500 prison staff had "inappropriate relationships" with inmates, but did find that most prison staff were honest.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 July 2006
Report highlights corruption among prison staff
Around 1,000 prison officers are believed to be involved in corruption, according to a leaked study, it has been reported. The report, the result of a year-long investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Prison Service's anti-corruption unit, was leaked to the BBC.
Report highlights corruption among prison staff
Around 1,000 prison officers are believed to be involved in corruption, according to a leaked study, it has been reported. The report, the result of a year-long investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Prison Service's anti-corruption unit, was leaked to the BBC.
01 March 2011
Northern Ireland Prison Service Facing Reform
As many as 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a major, fundamental reform of the prison service in Northern Ireland. There is a severance package being proposed as one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.
Northern Ireland Prison Service Facing Reform
As many as 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a major, fundamental reform of the prison service in Northern Ireland. There is a severance package being proposed as one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.
23 May 2012
Anti-Corruption Unit Being Investigated For Corruption
Officers working for Scotland Yard’s anti-corruption unit are being investigated over allegations that they were paid thousands of pounds by a firm of private investigators.
Anti-Corruption Unit Being Investigated For Corruption
Officers working for Scotland Yard’s anti-corruption unit are being investigated over allegations that they were paid thousands of pounds by a firm of private investigators.
05 December 2008
Hain Will Not Face Donation Charges
Former Cabinet Minister Peter Hain will not face criminal charges over political donations he received during his failed deputy leadership challenge last year. Mr Hain resigned over the matter, forcing the Prime Minister to reshuffle government positions.
Hain Will Not Face Donation Charges
Former Cabinet Minister Peter Hain will not face criminal charges over political donations he received during his failed deputy leadership challenge last year. Mr Hain resigned over the matter, forcing the Prime Minister to reshuffle government positions.
03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
-
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.
