LABOUR must bring prison maintenance contracts back in-house in line with its pre-election promise to introduce the “biggest wave of in-sourcing in a generation,” the Prison Officers Association (POA) has urged.

With the contracts due for renewal in the coming months, the union has launched its Bring It Back In House campaign after the government stated that the public sector would not be invited to submit bids.

General secretary Steve Gillan condemned privatised prison maintenance as a “costly and unmitigated disaster,” being more expensive than public provision while delivering a poorer service.

He said: “Privatised prison maintenance contracts are a classic case of a false economy.

“Conditions have deteriorated, with many in a state of squalor evidenced by a crumbling estate, rodent infestations and appalling conditions for staff and prisoners alike.

“The government has the perfect opportunity to make good on its promise to oversee the biggest wave of in-sourcing for a generation.

“These contracts should be brought back in-house to improve quality, provide value for money for the taxpayer and end the privatisation rip-off.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The government has taken immediate action to address the crowding chaos engulfing our jails. We are now focusing on improving conditions in the long term, including investing £500 million into prison and probation maintenance…”