Bullying rife in 'crisis' prison

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/norfolk/6640255.stm

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A prison built in the Victorian era has been described in a new report as "crisis-ridden" and rife with bullying.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers has condemned conditions on one wing at Norwich prison as "appalling".

She also blames overcrowding and unsafe dispensing of prescription drugs as major causes of problems.

The head of the Prison Service accepts the criticism and said the "condemned" wing would be refurbished when the overcrowding problem was solved.

The report came just a day after Lord Falconer's new Ministry of Justice took over control of prisons from the Home Office.

The long-term problems with Norwich A wing will be addressed as part of the major refurbishment programme Phil Wheatley, Prison Service

Ms Owers said the 650-inmate jail displayed in microcosm the problems of an overcrowded and crisis-ridden prison system.

The Victorian Gurney wing at Norwich had been emptied of inmates ready to be demolished but had to be reopened to accommodate prisoners because of the overcrowding crisis, the report said.

"Cells were dirty, toilets were stained with lime scale and showers were filthy, with paint flaking from their ceilings," it said.

"Gurney should be closed down and demolished."

Inmates were being bullied because of the unsafe way prescription medicines were handed out by the prison pharmacy, the report said.

Those prescribed detox drugs, hypnotics, codeine-based painkillers or benzodiazepines, often had their supplies stolen by bullies, it added.

Prisoners reporting they felt unsafe in Norwich jail, at 61%, was nearly twice the average for similar prisons.

'Significant improvements'

The report made nearly 200 recommendations for improvement.

Director general of the Prison Service, Phil Wheatley, said: "I accept Norwich is under operational pressure as a result of the rising national population and limited resourcing to fund major improvements to services.

"In spite of this, significant improvements have taken place in suicide prevention, reception and induction, and support to prisoners with alcohol and drug problems.

"The long-term problems with Norwich A wing will be addressed as part of the major refurbishment programme as soon as population pressures allow."