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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 opened just 12 months ago has been criticised over levels of violence and its restricted regime. | |
Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of prisons, said Thameside jail in south-east London was effectively in lock down for much of its first year. | |
The Howard League for Penal Reform said conditions were "truly alarming". | |
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: | Inspectors to the Greenwich prison found: |
But, inspectors said they were pleased to find: | 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. |
Campaigns director Andrew Neilson said: "Thameside is doing nothing to help prisoners turn their lives around. | Campaigns director Andrew Neilson said: "Thameside is doing nothing to help prisoners turn their lives around. |
"Conditions at Thameside are truly alarming." | "Conditions at Thameside are truly alarming." |
'Much to be done' | |
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. | 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." | "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." | "Much remains to be done, but this is a very positive start." |
HMP Thameside is a category B establishment run by Serco Home Affairs and can currently hold 900 convicted and remand male prisoners. | |
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. |