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'Casual' prison security exposed | 'Casual' prison security exposed |
(10 minutes later) | |
A prison's external gate was regularly left open at night to let staff have secure parking, a report has revealed. | |
The practice raised concerns about the "general casualness" of security at Ranby prison, near Retford, Notts. | The practice raised concerns about the "general casualness" of security at Ranby prison, near Retford, Notts. |
The chief inspector of prisons also said a "large and unexpected" shortfall in Ranby's funding could delay the tackling of drug use and bullying. | The chief inspector of prisons also said a "large and unexpected" shortfall in Ranby's funding could delay the tackling of drug use and bullying. |
The Prison Service said the open gate had been an "isolated incident", and a new budget set-up was being produced. | The Prison Service said the open gate had been an "isolated incident", and a new budget set-up was being produced. |
Ladder observed | Ladder observed |
The report said: "The external gate was left open at night to allow staff to park inside the sterile area, and we observed a ladder against the inner security fence at this time. | The report said: "The external gate was left open at night to allow staff to park inside the sterile area, and we observed a ladder against the inner security fence at this time. |
"The management of keys at the gate was also of concern, with no proper control of who received which set of keys." | "The management of keys at the gate was also of concern, with no proper control of who received which set of keys." |
Problems with making the perimeter wall secure allowed drugs packages to be thrown into the prison, the report added. | Problems with making the perimeter wall secure allowed drugs packages to be thrown into the prison, the report added. |
There was also criticism of ineffective anti-bullying programmes, sub-standard accommodation and disappointing resettlement work. | There was also criticism of ineffective anti-bullying programmes, sub-standard accommodation and disappointing resettlement work. |
'Serious drugs problem' | 'Serious drugs problem' |
Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said she was unable to say how much the total funding shortfall had been. | Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said she was unable to say how much the total funding shortfall had been. |
"Staff at Ranby deserve credit for managing a massive expansion programme and for ensuring prisoners continued to be generally well-treated and provided with purposeful activity. | "Staff at Ranby deserve credit for managing a massive expansion programme and for ensuring prisoners continued to be generally well-treated and provided with purposeful activity. |
"However, it has not been an easy process, with safety and control hampered by a serious drugs problem and slow progress on resettlement. | "However, it has not been an easy process, with safety and control hampered by a serious drugs problem and slow progress on resettlement. |
"It is, therefore, essential that the recently-exposed hole in the prison's finances should not be allowed to undermine this hard-earned progress." | "It is, therefore, essential that the recently-exposed hole in the prison's finances should not be allowed to undermine this hard-earned progress." |
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The governor has been working to produce a new budget profile that will ensure that Ranby can operate within its allocated budget from October 2007. | A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The governor has been working to produce a new budget profile that will ensure that Ranby can operate within its allocated budget from October 2007. |
"The new profile will not affect the governor's ability to tackle the issues identified by the chief inspector." | "The new profile will not affect the governor's ability to tackle the issues identified by the chief inspector." |
Further gate | Further gate |
Commenting on the gate being open, she said: "This was an isolated incident and not normal practice. | Commenting on the gate being open, she said: "This was an isolated incident and not normal practice. |
"The external gate gives access to the vehicles lock and there is a further gate into the prison which is never open at the same time." | "The external gate gives access to the vehicles lock and there is a further gate into the prison which is never open at the same time." |
Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said a three-stage anti-bullying system had been introduced at Ranby. | Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said a three-stage anti-bullying system had been introduced at Ranby. |
He added: "I am pleased that the chief inspector has acknowledged the impressive and varied range of education and vocational training places we have for prisoners held at Ranby." | He added: "I am pleased that the chief inspector has acknowledged the impressive and varied range of education and vocational training places we have for prisoners held at Ranby." |
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