Latest editorial
A guard inside Maghaberry Prison. One
PRISONS in England and Wales are “plagued” by “drugs, violence, appalling living conditions and a lack of access to meaningful rehabilitative activity,” the chief inspector has warned in his annual report.
Peter Clarke said the last year was “deeply troubling,” with levels of self-harm “disturbingly high” and suicides up by nearly a fifth.
Despite these “tragic” incidents, Mr Clarke praised prison officers for their “extraordinary dedication.”
The announcement of a Women’s Justice Board should be cautiously welcomed, writes SABINA PRICE, but we need to see a recognition that our prison system is in crisis and disproportionately punishes some of the most vulnerable people in society
Despite Labour’s promises to bring things ‘in-house,’ the Justice Secretary has awarded notorious outsourcing outfit Mitie a £329 million contract to run a new prison — despite its track record of abuse and neglect in its migrant facilities, reports SOLOMON HUGHES
