Gender Recognition Act: ‘Why we want identity rules changed’ – BBC News

‘If you want to legally change your gender in the UK, first a doctor has to diagnose you with a medical condition.’

Full Story

BBC News, 17th October 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Out of control’: prison watchdog warns of synthetic drug crisis – The Guardian

Posted October 12th, 2018 in death in custody, drug abuse, news, prisons by sally

‘An epidemic of synthetic drugs in prisons is “completely out of control” and the “new normal”, a prison deaths watchdog has warned, as signs emerge that the impact is spreading to immigration removal centres and bail hostels.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th October 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Karen White: how ‘manipulative’ transgender inmate attacked again – The Guardian

Posted October 12th, 2018 in news, prisons, sexual offences, transgender persons by sally

‘Transgender politics – like any politics – can be divisive. Yet in the case of Karen White, who is legally still a man but was put in a female-only prison, both sides of the transgender rights debate are united in the belief mistakes were made.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th October 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exeter prison condemned by inspectors for violence and drug use – The Guardian

Posted October 9th, 2018 in criminal justice, drug abuse, news, prisons, violence by tracey

‘The crisis-struck HMP Exeter prison, one of only four to have been subjected to special emergency action, is “very violent” and has overt drug use that is not regarded as exceptional by staff, according to inspectors.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th October 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Specialist financial crime unit to crack down on prison gangs – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 4th, 2018 in crime, money laundering, press releases, prisons by tracey

‘A new specialist unit will identify and freeze bank accounts linked to organised crime behind bars, Justice Secretary David Gauke announced today.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 2nd October 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Remembering Louis Blom-Cooper, A Human Rights Champion – Rights Info

‘Lawyer and human rights champion Sir Louis Blom-Cooper passed away in London, aged 92, on September 19, 2018. Here are some of the ways in which Blom-Cooper blazed a trail for human rights.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 2nd October 2018

Source: rightsinfo.org

Why doesn’t prison work for women? – BBC News

Posted October 1st, 2018 in news, prisons, recidivists, women by sally

‘Women make up just under 5% of the prison population in England and Wales, yet they are more likely than men to reoffend. Why doesn’t prison work for women and what is being done to improve outcomes for them?’

Full Story

BBC News, 29 September 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

HMP Bedford inmates ‘effectively control’ jail – BBC News

Posted September 14th, 2018 in health & safety, news, prisons, violence by tracey

‘Inmates have effectively taken control at a violent and vermin-infested prison, a watchdog has warned.’

Full Story

BBC News, 13th September 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hate preacher Anjem Choudary, to be freed in weeks, is ‘still a threat’ – The Guardian

Posted September 12th, 2018 in incitement, Islam, news, prisons, release on licence, terrorism by tracey

‘The Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary remains a dangerous threat ahead of his imminent release from jail, the prisons minister has warned, as plans to train an “elite corps” of Muslim chaplains to de-radicalise extremist inmates were unveiled.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th September 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sexual assaults in women’s prison reignite debate over transgender inmates – The Guardian

Posted September 10th, 2018 in news, prisons, sexual offences, transgender persons by tracey

‘A leading prison reformer has said prisoners who have committed violent offences against women should not be able to transfer to women’s prisons if they have not legally changed their gender, after it emerged that a transgender inmate had sexually assaulted fellow prisoners after transferring to a women’s prison.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th September 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK wife killer to be repatriated to India – BBC News

Posted August 28th, 2018 in deportation, murder, news, prisons by sally

‘An Indian man currently serving a jail term in the UK for murdering his wife will be repatriated to India, a top prison official has told BBC Punjabi.’

Full Story

BBC News, 27th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Don’t release prisoners on Fridays, says Nacro charity – BBC News

Posted August 24th, 2018 in benefits, medical treatment, news, prisons by sally

‘Prisoners should stop being released on Fridays because it can prove hard for them to access benefits, medication and assistance, campaigners have said.’

Full Story

BBC News, 24th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prison population set to rise despite overcrowding crisis – The Guardian

Posted August 24th, 2018 in news, prisons, statistics by sally

‘Prisoner numbers are expected to rise by thousands over the next five years, according to estimates released amid warnings of a crisis in jails in England and Wales.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd August 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Birmingham is just one of 15 prisons of ‘serious concern’ – the charts that show the state of our prisons – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 22nd, 2018 in contracting out, news, prisons, statistics by sally

‘Prisons in England and Wales have come under renewed scrutiny this week, after it was announced that HMP Birmingham is becoming the first privately-run prison to be taken over by the Government.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 21st August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The government knew about horrific conditions at Birmingham prison, but didn’t care – The Guardian

Posted August 21st, 2018 in ministers' powers and duties, news, prisons, reports by sally

‘The chief inspector of prisons’ shocking report on HMP Birmingham shows that our prison estate is out of the control of authorities. The report found that inmates used drink, drugs and violence systematically. Prison gangs perpetrating violence could do so “with near impunity”. Staff experienced widespread bullying. While the inspectors were on site they witnessed an arson attack on a car in a staff car park.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 20th August 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Birmingham Prison taken over from G4S by government – BBC News

Posted August 20th, 2018 in contracting out, news, prisons by sally

‘Birmingham Prison is being taken over by the government from the private firm G4S, after inspectors said it had fallen into a “state of crisis”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 20th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prisoners face fresh crackdown on drugs, violence and phones – The Guardian

Posted August 17th, 2018 in drug abuse, news, prisons, telecommunications, violence by sally

‘Prisoners are to face a fresh crackdown on drugs, violence and smuggled mobile phones as part of a £10m drive to turn around 10 of the worst-performing jails in England.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th August 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Case Comment: R (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice [2017] UKSC 81 – UKSC Blog

‘Is the Crown is bound by the prohibition of smoking in most enclosed public places and workplaces, contained in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Health Act 2006?’

Full Story

UKSC Blog, 15th August 2018

Source: ukscblog.com

How many transgender inmates are there? – BBC News

Posted August 14th, 2018 in consultations, gender, news, prisons, reports, transgender persons by sally

‘The campaign group Fair Play for Women claimed 41% of transgender women in prison are convicted sex offenders.’

Full Story

BBC News, 13th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Inmate given 57p in compensation after his magazine was damaged by prison staff – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 13th, 2018 in compensation, freedom of information, news, prisons by sally

‘A prisoner was reimbursed 57 pence as compensation after a magazine they owned was lost or damaged by prison staff, as new figures reveal that over £1 million has been given out to convicts for lost property over the past five years.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 13th August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk