“Chronically bored” prisoners who have missed out on rehabilitation work behind bars because of coronavirus restrictions could go on to commit more crimes once released, a report suggests.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor warned that the effect of the “prolonged” measures to contain the pandemic and the “lack of support to reduce reoffending” could have long-term consequences and put the public at risk of “serious harm”.
The report came as a court was told “conditions in prison are the worst that they have been in modern times”.
The inspector’s findings, based on analysis of interviews with 72 men, women and children in six prisons between September 30 and November 5, said the spread of Covid-19 was limited in prisons by a restricted daily regime which included long periods of time locked in cells and, as a result, predictions that thousands of people could die behind bars did not materialise.
Severe coronavirus restrictions in jails have led to a “disturbing” decline in the emotional and physical wellbeing of inmates and could hamper the chances of effective rehabilitation, the prisons watchdog has warned. Since the pandemic hit the UK in March, most adult prisoners have been locked in their cells for an average of 22.5 hours a day, with the vast majority prevented from leaving their wings to go to work, education or other.
New bigger beds for taller prisoners could cost prisons up to £1m
Penal campaigners warned there be legal action on human rights grounds if prisoners needs are not accommodated
29 January 2021 • 8:00pm
Prison Officer Association chair Mark Fairhurst warned: The bigger the bed, the less room there is in a cramped cells which might create additional problems
Credit: See PA story POLITICS Prisoners. Photo credit should read: Paul Faith/PA Wire/ See PA story POLITICS Prisoners. Photo credit should read: Paul Faith/PA Wire
Prisons are being forced to order new beds to accommodate “increasingly tall” inmates, at a potential cost of £1 million, or risk being taken to court.