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| Crowding 'delays jail's progress' | Crowding 'delays jail's progress' |
| (4 days later) | |
| Attempts to tackle serious problems at the UK's largest jail are being hampered by overcrowding, according to a watchdog. | Attempts to tackle serious problems at the UK's largest jail are being hampered by overcrowding, according to a watchdog. |
| Inspectors saw "poor" and "abusive" behaviour by staff towards inmates in Wandsworth jail in south London. | Inspectors saw "poor" and "abusive" behaviour by staff towards inmates in Wandsworth jail in south London. |
| The chief inspector of prisons said the jail had improved but still had a long way to go because of its population. | The chief inspector of prisons said the jail had improved but still had a long way to go because of its population. |
| Earlier this month ministers ordered the national use of police cells as prisons approached capacity. | Earlier this month ministers ordered the national use of police cells as prisons approached capacity. |
| In the report, Anne Owers, the chief inspector of prisons, said the Category B jail with 1,400 inmates had suffered a history of overcrowding and poor prisoner-staff relations. | In the report, Anne Owers, the chief inspector of prisons, said the Category B jail with 1,400 inmates had suffered a history of overcrowding and poor prisoner-staff relations. |
| In her last report, she had warned conditions were deteriorating despite inspectors' warnings. | In her last report, she had warned conditions were deteriorating despite inspectors' warnings. |
| But her team had now seen a committed management team bring about change in extremely difficult circumstances. | But her team had now seen a committed management team bring about change in extremely difficult circumstances. |
| Abuse witnessed | Abuse witnessed |
| But during the unannounced visit in July, the team found half of the inmates they interviewed complained of being victimised by staff - twice the national average. | But during the unannounced visit in July, the team found half of the inmates they interviewed complained of being victimised by staff - twice the national average. |
| Some 12% said they had been hit, kicked or assaulted. One of the inspectors witnessed an officer abusing a prisoner during the visit, said Ms Owers. | Some 12% said they had been hit, kicked or assaulted. One of the inspectors witnessed an officer abusing a prisoner during the visit, said Ms Owers. |
| The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons Life inside Wandsworth | The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons Life inside Wandsworth |
| Black and Asian prisoners were found to be more likely to complain of ill treatment but few of those complaints resulted in action by senior management. | Black and Asian prisoners were found to be more likely to complain of ill treatment but few of those complaints resulted in action by senior management. |
| This was concerning, said Ms Owers, given that four in 10 inmates were from ethnic minorities. | This was concerning, said Ms Owers, given that four in 10 inmates were from ethnic minorities. |
| Some 41% of incidents of self-harm during April and May were by foreign national prisoners, and officers needed to improve procedures for dealing with suicide attempts, said the report. | Some 41% of incidents of self-harm during April and May were by foreign national prisoners, and officers needed to improve procedures for dealing with suicide attempts, said the report. |
| Progress recognised | Progress recognised |
| Making 160 recommendations, Ms Owers said Wandsworth should be considered "an improving prison" - but also a jail with a "significant way to go". | Making 160 recommendations, Ms Owers said Wandsworth should be considered "an improving prison" - but also a jail with a "significant way to go". |
| OPERATION SAFEGUARD Contingency plan for prison overcrowdingActivated 9 OctoberPrison population approx 79,900Police cells used for inmates Cell plan to ease crisis | |
| "The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure and the approach and attitude of some staff," said Ms Owers. | "The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure and the approach and attitude of some staff," said Ms Owers. |
| "But the gains already made in some areas of the prison provide evidence of what can and what needs to be achieved." | "But the gains already made in some areas of the prison provide evidence of what can and what needs to be achieved." |
| Cleanliness, hygiene and food had been improved and prisoners were now spending more time out of their cells compared with the previous report. | Cleanliness, hygiene and food had been improved and prisoners were now spending more time out of their cells compared with the previous report. |
| Arrangements for first night arrivals and induction were also praised by Ms Owers. | Arrangements for first night arrivals and induction were also praised by Ms Owers. |
| Phil Wheatley, director general of the Prison Service, said he was pleased Ms Owers' team had acknowledged improvements at Wandsworth. | Phil Wheatley, director general of the Prison Service, said he was pleased Ms Owers' team had acknowledged improvements at Wandsworth. |
| "The governor and management are continuing to ensure that staff behave appropriately at all times and that a robust approach is being taken with those who fail to maintain high standards. | "The governor and management are continuing to ensure that staff behave appropriately at all times and that a robust approach is being taken with those who fail to maintain high standards. |
| "Wandsworth is also looking at ways it can provide further opportunities for work and education for prisoners." | "Wandsworth is also looking at ways it can provide further opportunities for work and education for prisoners." |