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25/04/2008
Jails 'Too Comfortable' For Inmates
A senior prison officers' spokesman has said that life for inmates is too "comfortable".
Glyn Travis, Assistant General for the Prison Officers Association, says that prisoners do not want to escape.
Mr Travis said that the availability of drugs, mobile phones and even sex was keeping inmates behind bars.
He said that some prisons had become "no-go" areas as inmates had got "complete control" and that there was a not enough staff or adequate "interaction" between staff.
He also claimed that there was an attempt to smuggle in prostitutes to a prison in Sudbury, Derbyshire.
Mr Travis gave the example of a security breach at the low-security category C Everthorpe Prison, where members of the public were supplying items such as drugs and phones to inmates with ladders.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there was "a massive shortfall of staff" saying that there are "1,000 prison officers short across the country".
However, a spokesperson for the prison service refuted the claims saying "at no time were prisoners out of their cells or able to access any area of the prison" and that "immediate action was taken with extra fencing, the removal of trees, extra CCTV cameras, and the transfer of the offender involved to another establishment".
Mr Travis said that there is a "serious crisis" in prisons today and that a "safe and secure" system is needed that the public can have confidence in.
He added that the exposure of the security breach was not to add pressure to the government to increase staffing levels in prison.
(DS/KMcA)
Glyn Travis, Assistant General for the Prison Officers Association, says that prisoners do not want to escape.
Mr Travis said that the availability of drugs, mobile phones and even sex was keeping inmates behind bars.
He said that some prisons had become "no-go" areas as inmates had got "complete control" and that there was a not enough staff or adequate "interaction" between staff.
He also claimed that there was an attempt to smuggle in prostitutes to a prison in Sudbury, Derbyshire.
Mr Travis gave the example of a security breach at the low-security category C Everthorpe Prison, where members of the public were supplying items such as drugs and phones to inmates with ladders.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there was "a massive shortfall of staff" saying that there are "1,000 prison officers short across the country".
However, a spokesperson for the prison service refuted the claims saying "at no time were prisoners out of their cells or able to access any area of the prison" and that "immediate action was taken with extra fencing, the removal of trees, extra CCTV cameras, and the transfer of the offender involved to another establishment".
Mr Travis said that there is a "serious crisis" in prisons today and that a "safe and secure" system is needed that the public can have confidence in.
He added that the exposure of the security breach was not to add pressure to the government to increase staffing levels in prison.
(DS/KMcA)
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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.
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
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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.
26 January 2010
Warden Injured In Jail Disturbance
A Scottish prison warden has been treated for head and facial injuries after being hurt during a disturbance at the country's newest prison. Around 10 inmates at Addiewell Prison in West Lothian began rioting yesterday evening. Emergency crews intervened and took the stricken 29-year-old guard to hospital.
Warden Injured In Jail Disturbance
A Scottish prison warden has been treated for head and facial injuries after being hurt during a disturbance at the country's newest prison. Around 10 inmates at Addiewell Prison in West Lothian began rioting yesterday evening. Emergency crews intervened and took the stricken 29-year-old guard to hospital.
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.
02 September 2009
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
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