Prisoners across UK jails are reportedly able to dig through their cells using plastic cutlery, a report has warned. This is allegedly due to the “common concern” that prison walls across England and Wales are in a “dire” state.
According to the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs), one of the buildings in the worst condition was Winchester men’s prison, built in 1849, where there are “crumbling walls and roofs all over the prison, leading to leaks, flooding and slip hazards”.
“At Winchester, there were several occasions throughout the year where prisoners were able to damage and attempt to dig through cell walls, on one occasion through the wall to the landing, using simple implements such as plastic cutlery,” the report read.
“In some prisons, maintenance was delayed even when it gave rise to security concerns”, it continued.
“At Pentonville, a window-replacement scheme deemed extremely important for escape prevention had to be halted because the prison was too crowded for the cells to be taken out of use.”
The neglected upkeep of these establishments has also generated concern for basic hygiene and sanitation.
“Poor physical conditions meant some prisoners were living in unacceptable conditions, sometimes without access to basic sanitation, which had serious consequences for hygiene and dignity. Some IMBs described living conditions as inhumane”, said the report.
Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor had previously stated that that over a dozen jails from the Victorian era had massive structural issues that needed urgent care, and that alernative buildings would have to be used in the near future if they did not receive proper maintenance.
The report also detailed the issue of security breaches at immigration removal centres, stating there had been a disorder, violence, or safety and security breaches at every male immigration removal centre in England last year.
In Bedford alone, Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre dealt with four serious incidents, with 13 detained men escaping after riots breaking out.
According to the report, a massive staff shortage has fuelled issues and urgent funding is needed to ensure the proper functioning of the UK’s prisons.
The Express has contacted the Prison’s Service for comment.
