Pentonville Prison is “unfit” for inmates to stay or to be rehabilitated, based on a report which discovered cramped situations, an absence of privateness and erupting sewage.
The inhabitants on the north London jail, one of many oldest within the UK, swelled to just about 1,150 inmates – far exceeding its supposed capability, impartial displays discovered.
Prisoners have been stored in cells measuring 12ft by 8ft, usually in pairs, with bunk beds, a chair, a desk and an open bathroom, inches from the place they ate and slept.
The report says the “lack of privacy alone could not be described as decent or humane”.
Pentonville’s impartial monitoring board (IMB) mentioned there have been points with water, heating and vermin, because of the jail’s Victorian-era infrastructure.
It discovered a elevate serving the weak prisoner unit (VPU) that didn’t work, which raised security considerations, significantly for older prisoners, who have been pressured to navigate slim metallic stairs.
‘Accident ready to occur’
The report mentioned: “Lack of hot water, heating and low water pressure were reported regularly, due to the antiquated system, which does not allow for cells to be isolated when repairs are being carried out (often after damage caused by prisoners).
“There have been no less than two events when drain blockages induced sewage to erupt by way of a manhole at decrease floor stage, inflicting extraordinarily disagreeable situations within the care and separation unit and an adjoining newly refurbished wing.
“The lift which services the VPU remained out of action. Some of the older, frail men had to navigate flights of narrow metal stairs to breathe fresh air; wing staff had to carry some of them on a chair, impossible with larger prisoners.
“This was a security threat for each prisoners and employees, and an accident ready to occur.”
‘Unfit place for prisoners’
IMB Pentonville chairwoman Alice Gotto mentioned it was “disappointing” the jail’s inhabitants has continued to extend regardless of detailed proof “of the detrimental effect this would have on prisoners”.
“For the second year running we received more calls from prisoners to the IMB helpline than any other prison in England and Wales,” she added.
“Despite the hard work of staff and management, Pentonville remains an unfit place for prisoners to live or to be rehabilitated.”
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The report additionally highlighted some success within the jail, together with the curbing of contraband and a neurodiversity wing.
Monitors carried out their report between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023.
A Prison Service spokesman mentioned: “HMP Pentonville has taken urgent action to address some of the issues raised in the report.
“This consists of main refurbishments to spice up capability and launching new coaching and schooling programmes, so prisoners can flip away from crime for good.
“The government is also pressing ahead with the biggest expansion of prison places in over a century – delivering 20,000 additional spaces including six new, modern jails.”
Source: information.sky.com”