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.’

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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.’

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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”.’

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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.’

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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?’

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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.’

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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.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Female offenders should be sent to support centres not prison, says report – The Independent

Posted July 25th, 2018 in detention, news, prisons, women by tracey

‘Female offenders should be sent to support centres rather than prison because they are normally far less dangerous than their male counterparts, a report has suggested.’

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The Independent, 24th July 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prisons squalid and dangerous due to staff cuts, report says – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2018 in health & safety, news, prison officers, prisons, reports, violence by sally

‘Prisoners in England and Wales are enduring some of the most disturbingconditions ever seen as violence and self-harm rockets due to stretched resources and staff shortages, the chief prisons inspector has said.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice Secretary launches fresh crackdown on crime in prison – speech – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 11th, 2018 in drug abuse, prisons, rehabilitation, sentencing, speeches by tracey

‘Justice Secretary launches fresh crackdown on crime in prison – speech.’

Full speech

Ministry of Justice, 10th July 2018

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

Prisoners to get phones in cells in bid to curb violence – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2018 in human rights, news, prisons, reports, telecommunications, violent disorder by sally

‘Thousands of prisoners will be able to make calls from their cells, as part of government plans to reduce violence and crime in prisons in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Stephen Lawrence killer David Norris to get damages – BBC News

Posted July 6th, 2018 in assault, compensation, Ministry of Justice, news, personal injuries, prisons by tracey

‘One of Stephen Lawrence’s killers has settled a claim with the Ministry of Justice after he was attacked in prison. David Norris suffered a broken nose and ribs at HMP Belmarsh in 2011 where he was being held on remand ahead of his trial for murder. He sued for damages, reported to be £10,000, after the assault.’

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BBC News, 6th July 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Justice secretary’s plan for female prisoners ‘underfunded by £15m’ – The Guardian

Posted June 28th, 2018 in criminal justice, news, prisons, women by sally

‘The government’s advisers on dealing with female offenders have written a joint letter to the justice secretary branding a new strategy for women in prison a missed opportunity that is underfunded by at least £15m.’

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The Guardian, 27th June 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Secretary of State launches dedicated strategy to ‘break the cycle’ of female offending – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 27th, 2018 in imprisonment, press releases, prisons, rehabilitation, women by tracey

‘The female offender strategy sets out a commitment to divert the most vulnerable women in the criminal justice system away from custody through the provision of tailored support.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 27th June 2018

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

HMP Woodhill has ‘staggering’ rate of self-inflicted deaths – BBC News

Posted June 19th, 2018 in news, prisons, reports, self-harm, suicide by sally

‘A prison where 20 men have taken their lives since 2011 has a “staggering” death rate and is still failing vulnerable inmates, a report has said.’

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BBC News, 19th June 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police and service dogs and horses receive protection by law – The Guardian

Posted June 15th, 2018 in bills, dogs, horses, news, police, prisons by tracey

‘A bill making it a specific offence to attack police or prison officer dogs or police horses is set to become law after the government decided to back the measure, closing what campaigners said was a loophole in existing legislation.’

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The Guardian, 15th June 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

MoJ postpones plans to reduce female prison population – The Guardian

Posted May 3rd, 2018 in criminal justice, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, women by tracey

‘A multimillion pound government strategy to reduce the number of women being jailed for non-violent offences has been postponed, the Guardian can disclose. Plans to set up community prisons for women and to launch a scheme that would provide support for female offenders were supposed to be announced this month. The Ministry of Justice has delayed finalisation of the strategy, which is now going to be rewritten.’

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The Guardian, 2nd May 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Nearly 100 women die in prison over 11-year period due to ‘glaring failures’ by government, says report – The Independent

Posted May 2nd, 2018 in death in custody, news, prisons, women by tracey

‘The government has been accused of a “glaring failure” to act on deaths of women in custody as figures show almost 100 female inmates have died in just over a decade. More than 10 years on from the Corston Report, which outlined the need for a more holistic and integrated approach to vulnerable women in the criminal justice system, there has been “little systemic change” as women “continue to die” in custody, according to a report by charity Inquest.’

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The Independent, 2nd May 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Self-harm and violent attacks hit record high in prisons across England and Wales – The Independent

Posted April 27th, 2018 in news, prisons, self-harm, statistics, violence by tracey

‘Self-harm and violent attacks have hit record levels in prisons across England and Wales as campaigners warn of a “system in crisis”. More than 11,600 prisoners harmed themselves in 2017 – a record high – and the number of separate incidents rose by 11 per cent to 44,600.’

Full Story

The Independent, 26th April 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prisons watchdog demands action after 500 self-harm incidents in six months at young offenders’ institution – The Independent

Posted March 27th, 2018 in mental health, news, prisons, self-harm, violence, young offenders by tracey

‘Prison inspectors have demanded urgent action at a young offenders’ institution that saw more than 500 incidents of self-harm in just six months.’

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The Independent, 27th March 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk