OVERCROWDING BLIGHTS ANOTHER PRISON

The publication today, by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, of a report of an unannounced inspection of HM Prison Ford, is a further example of the pressures of prison overcrowding undermining the best efforts of prison staff to provide a regime that rehabilitates offenders. The report reveals that, due to pressure of numbers, Ford is being sent prisoners for whom it can do very little, weakening its resettlement role.

 Living conditions are described in the report as “appalling, providing neither privacy nor dignity”. Improvements in healthcare, provision for foreign national prisoners and education were noted but opportunities to gain vocational qualifications were found to be few. Work within the prison was related more to income targets for the prison than to future employment prospects for prisoners; and only 18 of its community out-work places were taken up.

Speaking today, Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust said that:

‘Ford open prison exists for the vital task of preparing prisoners, particularly those who are coming to the end of a long sentence, for their release. Today’s report, by the Chief Inspector, shows that it is prevented from doing this job properly by the pressures of overcrowding in the prison system.
 
The public should be concerned that many long term prisoners are being released into the community inadequately prepared for a law-abiding life.
 
A resettlement prison which cannot do its job wastes public money and threatens public safety.’