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Inspectors warn of drugs and violence at Winchester prison
A general view of HMP Pentonville, north London
INSPECTORS who made an unannounced visit to a Hampshire prison found drug use, debt, rising violence, self-harm and men locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a day.
HMP Winchester is a reception prison holding up to 649 newly convicted or remand prisoners awaiting court appearances.
Inspectors found conditions were so bad that the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood was issued with “urgent notification” giving her 28 days to produce a plan to improve the prison.
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