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Thameside prison criticised over violence and regime | Thameside prison criticised over violence and regime |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A privately-run prison which has been open just 12 months has been criticised for its levels of violence and restricted regime. | A privately-run prison which has been open just 12 months has been criticised for its levels of violence and restricted regime. |
The findings came in a report on Thameside jail in south-east London. | The findings came in a report on Thameside jail in south-east London. |
Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, said the prison was effectively in lock down for much of its first year in operation. | Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, said the prison was effectively in lock down for much of its first year in operation. |
The National Offender Management Service said action had been taken to address the concerns. | The National Offender Management Service said action had been taken to address the concerns. |
Inspectors to the Greenwich prison found: | |
But, inspectors said they were pleased to find: | |
The Howard League for Penal Reform said the situation at Thameside undermined ministers' recent calls for prisoners to work harder when they were out of their cells to earn privileges. | The Howard League for Penal Reform said the situation at Thameside undermined ministers' recent calls for prisoners to work harder when they were out of their cells to earn privileges. |
'Truly alarming' | |
Campaigns director Andrew Neilson said: "Thameside is doing nothing to help prisoners turn their lives around. | |
"Conditions at Thameside are truly alarming." | |
Serco's custodial services director Wyn Jones said: "These are early days at the prison, and we accept completely the report's recommendations for future improvements. | |
"Among many areas of good practice across the prison identified by the report, we are especially pleased that it commended the extent to which prisoners feel safe in HMP Thameside." | |
"Much remains to be done, but this is a very positive start." | |
HMP Thameside is a local category B establishment that can currently hold 900 convicted and remand male prisoners, run by Serco Home Affairs which is part of Serco Group. | HMP Thameside is a local category B establishment that can currently hold 900 convicted and remand male prisoners, run by Serco Home Affairs which is part of Serco Group. |
It was opened along with G4S-run HMP Oakwood near Wolverhampton last year, creating about 2,500 prison places in total. | It was opened along with G4S-run HMP Oakwood near Wolverhampton last year, creating about 2,500 prison places in total. |