The number of inmates at Erlestoke prison has dropped compared to levels at the start of the pandemic, figures reveal. With court delays owing to the pandemic being blamed for changes in the normal flow of inmates, the Howard League for Penal Reform said backlogs had put additional strain on defendants and victims. Ministry of Justice data shows that there were 438 inmates at Erlestoke prison as of March 31 – 56 fewer than at the same point in 2020. This is in line with the situation across England and Wales, where the number of prisoners fell by 6 per cent to 78,058 at the end of March.
By Lucy Morgan Audience and Content Editor
HMP Isle of Wight prison in Newport A backlog in court cases is being blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic, as new figures show a fall in prison inmates (including at HMP Isle of Wight) and a rise in those awaiting a trial, or sentencing. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) data show there were 765 inmates at HMP Isle of Wight on March 31, 2021. That is 262 fewer than on the same date in March 2020. Meanwhile, an MoJ report has found that people held on remand (in prison, awaiting trial, or sentencing) reached a ten year high, on March 31.
WOMEN at HMP Peterborough are being locked up for about 23 hours a day with some considering suicide as a result, inspectors have revealed.
The prison, run by outsourcing giant Sodexo, holds about 300 women and female young offenders, ranging from inmates on remand to those serving life sentences.
Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor found that the site had several areas of good practice, but raised concerns over the impact that coronavirus restrictions were having on inmates.
“Women repeatedly described the debilitating impact that being locked in a cell for about 23 hours every day was having and the toll it was taking on their mental health and emotional wellbeing,” Mr Taylor said.