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Chronic staff shortages underpinning problems with drugs, violence and self-harm at HMP Woodhill
General view of HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes.

A SHOCKING record of drug-taking, violence and self-harm caused by chronic staff shortages are continuing at a prison in Buckinghamshire — despite condemnation by prisons inspectors two years ago.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons said HMP Woodhills at Milton Keynes contains “some of the most dangerous offenders in the prison estate,” who are locked in their cells 21 hours a day.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: “The frustration caused by the poor conditions in the prison contributed to rising violence, drug use and self-harm and inspectors found that the jail was fundamentally unsafe for both prisoners and staff.

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