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Prison ratings: 'Serious concern' over three jails Prison ratings: 'Serious concern' over three jails
(35 minutes later)
There is "serious concern" over three prisons in England, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said, as they were given the lowest performance rating. Two privately-run prisons are among three the government has expressed "serious concern" over, Ministry of Justice ratings have revealed.
HMP Oakwood, near Wolverhampton; HMP Thameside, in south-east London; and HMP Prison Winchester were rated level one in annual MoJ prison ratings. HMP Oakwood, run by G4S in the West Midlands, HMP Thameside, run by Serco in London, and the Prison Service's HMP Winchester in Hampshire, were given the lowest performance rating of one.
They were the only prisons of 134 to be rated one, the lowest category of four. Oakwood and Thameside are among 14 prisons run by private companies in England and Wales.
Oakwood is run by private firm G4S, Thameside by rival Serco and Winchester is run by the Prison Service. There are a total of 134 prisons.
G4S and Serco are private security companies but have a range of contracts with the government to carry out services.G4S and Serco are private security companies but have a range of contracts with the government to carry out services.
Earlier this month both firms came under fire for overcharging the government by "tens of millions of pounds" for providing electronic tags for criminals.Earlier this month both firms came under fire for overcharging the government by "tens of millions of pounds" for providing electronic tags for criminals.
It triggered a government-wide review of all contracts held by the two firms.It triggered a government-wide review of all contracts held by the two firms.
'Deteriorated sharply''Deteriorated sharply'
A further 12 prisons were "of concern", while the remainder were either rated as having an "exceptional performance" or "meeting the majority of targets". In the annual ratings, a further 12 prisons were "of concern", while the remainder were either rated as having an "exceptional performance" or "meeting the majority of targets".
Oakwood opened in April 2012 and is one of the largest jails in the country, with capacity for 1,600 male inmates.Oakwood opened in April 2012 and is one of the largest jails in the country, with capacity for 1,600 male inmates.
On its website, the prison says that it aspires to be regarded as "the leading prison in the world" within five years.On its website, the prison says that it aspires to be regarded as "the leading prison in the world" within five years.
Thameside opened in March 2012 and can hold 900 male prisoners.Thameside opened in March 2012 and can hold 900 male prisoners.
Winchester Prison, built in 1846, was criticised by inspectors earlier this year after two elderly disabled men were locked up together for almost 24 hours a day, without easy access to showers.Winchester Prison, built in 1846, was criticised by inspectors earlier this year after two elderly disabled men were locked up together for almost 24 hours a day, without easy access to showers.
Inspectors said standards at the jail had "deteriorated sharply".Inspectors said standards at the jail had "deteriorated sharply".
Performance gradingPerformance grading
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is responsible for agreeing and publishing annual performance ratings for each prison in England and Wales.The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is responsible for agreeing and publishing annual performance ratings for each prison in England and Wales.
NOMS looks at how prisons have done on public protection, reducing reoffending, decency and resource management and operational effectiveness.NOMS looks at how prisons have done on public protection, reducing reoffending, decency and resource management and operational effectiveness.
Performance is graded into four bands - four indicates exceptional performance; three means a majority of targets have been met; two indicates overall performance is of concern and one suggest performance is of serious concern.Performance is graded into four bands - four indicates exceptional performance; three means a majority of targets have been met; two indicates overall performance is of concern and one suggest performance is of serious concern.