This
earlier post 3 August noted a number of serious concerns regarding prisons in England and Wales. A high prison population managed by fewer prison officers; considerable use of short term imprisonment (6 months or less); and problems with privatised Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC). The pressing need for reform was set out on 6 March by the Secretary of State for Justice -
speech on 6
March 2018.
Concerns in some prisons run at an even deeper level as evidenced by an Urgent Notification Letter regarding HMP Birmingham sent on 16 August by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Mr Peter Clarke) to the Secretary of State.
HMP Birmingham Urgent Notification - Criminal Justice Inspectorates
The letter begins:
The immediate response of the Secretary of State was to take over management of the prison from private contractor G4S -
BBC News 20 August. In 2011, G4S were awarded a 15 year contract to run the prison. Notably, the BBC report states that, on taking control, the prisoner population was reduced by 300 and the number of Prison Officers increased by 30.
An Action Plan by the government is awaited.
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