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| Collusion in jail assault alleged | Collusion in jail assault alleged |
| (4 days later) | |
| Prison officers colluded in the assault of alleged sex offenders at a jail which was "under tremendous pressure" from overcrowding, inspectors say. | Prison officers colluded in the assault of alleged sex offenders at a jail which was "under tremendous pressure" from overcrowding, inspectors say. |
| Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said three vulnerable inmates were attacked at High Down jail in London. | Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said three vulnerable inmates were attacked at High Down jail in London. |
| She said "intelligence" pointed to staff collusion in the attack and the governor acted against a staff member. | She said "intelligence" pointed to staff collusion in the attack and the governor acted against a staff member. |
| But a Prison Service spokeswoman said no evidence was found that staff were involved in the assault. | But a Prison Service spokeswoman said no evidence was found that staff were involved in the assault. |
| It is reported that three inmates on remand for sex offences were attacked days before a full inspection of the jail. They were treated in High Down's healthcare centre for their injuries. | It is reported that three inmates on remand for sex offences were attacked days before a full inspection of the jail. They were treated in High Down's healthcare centre for their injuries. |
| Intelligence within the prison indicated that there had been staff collusion with the attack, Ms Owers said in the report. | Intelligence within the prison indicated that there had been staff collusion with the attack, Ms Owers said in the report. |
| "The governor took immediate and appropriate action against the member of staff and is to be commended for doing so as this was a serious development, and posed a particular challenge for management," she added. | "The governor took immediate and appropriate action against the member of staff and is to be commended for doing so as this was a serious development, and posed a particular challenge for management," she added. |
| But a Prison Service spokeswoman said on Monday that the prison had carried out an investigation into the intelligence referred to by Ms Owers and "found no evidence to suggest that a member of staff had been involved in the assault on vulnerable prisoners". | But a Prison Service spokeswoman said on Monday that the prison had carried out an investigation into the intelligence referred to by Ms Owers and "found no evidence to suggest that a member of staff had been involved in the assault on vulnerable prisoners". |
| This is the second report I have released within the last week which has found weaknesses in investigating prisoners' complaints against staff Anne Owers, chief inspector of prisons Overcrowding delays jail overhaul | This is the second report I have released within the last week which has found weaknesses in investigating prisoners' complaints against staff Anne Owers, chief inspector of prisons Overcrowding delays jail overhaul |
| Ms Owers's inspection team found that the level of complaints of intimidation and bullying at High Down in Sutton, south London, was higher than average. | Ms Owers's inspection team found that the level of complaints of intimidation and bullying at High Down in Sutton, south London, was higher than average. |
| The report is the second in a week to call for measures to deal with staff intimidating or abusing inmates. | The report is the second in a week to call for measures to deal with staff intimidating or abusing inmates. |
| Ms Owers said her team had found a prison "moving in the right direction" - but also one with "serious concerns" relating to the safety of certain prisons. | Ms Owers said her team had found a prison "moving in the right direction" - but also one with "serious concerns" relating to the safety of certain prisons. |
| The prison was housing 738 inmates during the four-day inspection in May, two more than its "operational capacity" of 736. In some parts of the jail, cells designed for two inmates were housing three. | The prison was housing 738 inmates during the four-day inspection in May, two more than its "operational capacity" of 736. In some parts of the jail, cells designed for two inmates were housing three. |
| Ms Owers said that during the weekend prior to the inspection, three "vulnerable prisoners" had been assaulted. | Ms Owers said that during the weekend prior to the inspection, three "vulnerable prisoners" had been assaulted. |
| Surveyed by inspectors, almost a third of prisoners questioned said that they had been intimidated by staff, compared with an average in other jails of a quarter. | Surveyed by inspectors, almost a third of prisoners questioned said that they had been intimidated by staff, compared with an average in other jails of a quarter. |
| At the same time, the prison had a history of over-use of force by staff or special cells, although levels were declining. The prison's response to bullying of one inmate by another remained inadequate. | At the same time, the prison had a history of over-use of force by staff or special cells, although levels were declining. The prison's response to bullying of one inmate by another remained inadequate. |
| Overcrowding | Overcrowding |
| However, the prison had made improvements in other areas. There was now more education, training and employment, although not enough of the prisoners were getting it. | However, the prison had made improvements in other areas. There was now more education, training and employment, although not enough of the prisoners were getting it. |
| The prison's management had also ensured that procedures to receive and induct new prisoners were good, along with steps to deal with drug abuse and the risk of suicide or self-harm. The prison also had sound race relations arrangements. | The prison's management had also ensured that procedures to receive and induct new prisoners were good, along with steps to deal with drug abuse and the risk of suicide or self-harm. The prison also had sound race relations arrangements. |
| Ms Owers said the jail, like all local prisons, was under "tremendous pressure" from the growth in prisoner numbers. While it had made "considerable strides" it was not yet a healthy establishment. | Ms Owers said the jail, like all local prisons, was under "tremendous pressure" from the growth in prisoner numbers. While it had made "considerable strides" it was not yet a healthy establishment. |
| "It was failing to ensure the safety of all its prisoners and we and managers had serious concerns about the behaviour and attitudes of a small number of staff," said Ms Owers. | "It was failing to ensure the safety of all its prisoners and we and managers had serious concerns about the behaviour and attitudes of a small number of staff," said Ms Owers. |
| "This is the second report I have released within the last week which has found weaknesses in investigating prisoners' complaints against staff. I welcome the fact that the Prison Service is now revising these procedures." | "This is the second report I have released within the last week which has found weaknesses in investigating prisoners' complaints against staff. I welcome the fact that the Prison Service is now revising these procedures." |
| Phil Wheatley, director general of the Prison Service, said: "I am pleased the Chief Inspector of Prisons has acknowledged that High Down continues to raise standards in areas where it is most needed. | Phil Wheatley, director general of the Prison Service, said: "I am pleased the Chief Inspector of Prisons has acknowledged that High Down continues to raise standards in areas where it is most needed. |
| "The Governor and his staff are committed to ensuring the safety and order of all within the prison. I am confident that work will continue on improving current systems, especially in the reporting, recording and investigation of incidents." | "The Governor and his staff are committed to ensuring the safety and order of all within the prison. I am confident that work will continue on improving current systems, especially in the reporting, recording and investigation of incidents." |