May 1, 2018 UK: how prison changes people News United Kingdom Longer and harsher prison sentences can mean that prisoners’ personalities will be changed in ways that make their reintegration difficult, finds Christian Jarrett. Day after day, year after year, imagine having no space to call your own, no choice over who to be with, what to eat, or where to go.…
April 23, 2018 Britain's prison crisis caused by "poor political decisions" by Conservatives and huge cuts, former head of jails says News United Kingdom Former director-general of HM Prison Service says violence driven by ‘budget cuts, poor political decisions and frequent changes of political direction’
April 21, 2018 UK: mental health facilities ‘seriously deficient’ News Health Mental health United Kingdom Mental Health Reform says it is “deeply concerned” that some vulnerable people still live in “mini-institutions” where there is no respect for their privacy or dignity.
April 13, 2018 UK: chemical castration of sex offenders re-examined News United Kingdom Treating sex offenders with chemical castration is to be reviewed by the Scottish Government amid a clamour to increase its use after the row over the planned release of rapist John Worboys.
March 22, 2018 UK: six prisoners kill themselves in less than two years at notorious jail amid "severe overcrowding", watchdog finds News Health Overcrowding United Kingdom Campaigners say “appalling” death toll in HMP Leeds a “direct result” of severe overcrowding as inspectors reveal 1,127 men are held against certified normal capacity of 669.
March 8, 2018 The first images of Scotland’s first ‘alternative prison’ for women News Women United Kingdom The first images of Scotland’s first ‘alternative prison’ for women which will be built in Maryhill have been revealed by the Scottish Prison Service.
March 1, 2018 UK: prison reform is long overdue. Let's invest in communities instead News United Kingdom The number of people sent to prison in England and Wales has more than doubled at a terrible cost to taxpayers and society.
February 25, 2018 UK: why we should teach philosophy to prisoners (Kirstine Szifris) News United Kingdom “I taught philosophy to prisoners, and I know it can help end the damaging macho prison culture” As with other forms of educational experience, in the classroom they could be – for a short time – philosophers as opposed to offenders or prisoners.
February 8, 2018 Au Royaume-Uni, les entreprises privées assurant des services publics se portent mal News Europe United Kingdom This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.
January 31, 2018 UK: probation Prisoner stabbed to death at Wormwood Scrubs in London News United Kingdom Incident follows concerns over high levels of violence at prison including attacks on staff.
January 31, 2018 UK: collapsed trial woman says she gave birth "alone" in prison News United Kingdom A woman held in custody for more than 13 months before her trial collapsed has told the BBC she hopes someone will be punished for the failures which led to her giving birth in prison.
January 23, 2018 UK: Female prison inmates subject to "excessive strip-searching" despite many being victims of sexual abuse News Women United Kingdom Campaigners call for policy of routine strip searching to be revised as “matter of urgency” after prison watchdog finds “disappointingly” high use of practice on women.
January 19, 2018 UK: How Liverpool prison became UK's 'worst jail' News United Kingdom The damning report on Liverpool prison by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, published on Friday, says conditions in the establishment are “squalid”. But this is just the latest in a series of major problems faced by the jail.
January 15, 2018 UK : Woman jailed for setting bed on fire 'killed herself in prison' News United Kingdom Inquest hears Emily Hartley, 21, who had mental health problems, had been sentenced for breaking bail conditions.
December 31, 2017 UK: ‘prison works’ is an outdated concept that benefits no one News United Kingdom The best community penalties reduce reoffending rates via repentance and payback.
December 28, 2017 UK: one in five female prisoners are homeless after release, data shows News Topic Women United Kingdom Labour attacks ‘shocking’ failure of privatised probation companies after proportion doubles in a year.
December 19, 2017 UK: conditions at Liverpool prison the worst ever inspected, says report News Material conditions United Kingdom Inspectors describe ‘squalid’ state of jail including rat and cockroach infestations and damp cells with exposed wiring.
December 19, 2017 Smoking ban cannot be enforced in jails, UK supreme court rules News Justice United Kingdom Inmate loses attempt to enforce ban in prisons after court says crown premises are exempt.
December 6, 2017 UK: teaching in a prison, education has the best chance of turning lives around News United Kingdom Emily Dewar-Langridge teaches young offenders at Feltham prison, and has won an award for the difference she’s made to students. Here, she explains her role.
December 1, 2017 UK : Edmund Clark’s immersive study of prison life goes on show at the Ikon Gallery News United Kingdom “We are a faceless, forgotten part of society,” says one of the inmates at HMP Grendon, where Edmund Clark has been artist-in-residence for the last three years; his work at the prison is now going on show in Birmingham.
November 27, 2017 UK: defendants with mental health issues 'neglected' in England and Wales News Health Mental health United Kingdom Report by Justice suggests introduction of specialist prosecutors and a change to the defence of insanity.
November 2, 2017 UK: up to 100 prisoners on short sentences to be given right to vote News United Kingdom Change in rules will apply to offenders out on temporary release licence and aims to end 12-year dispute with Strasbourg court.
October 22, 2017 UK: prison officers to get body-worn cameras in £3m jail safety boost News United Kingdom Officers welcome MoJ’s new measures for England and Wales, including trial of incapacitant spray, but say nothing can replace correct staffing levels.
October 19, 2017 UK: HMP Winchester inmate who died had asked staff about suicide methods News Suicide United Kingdom Sean Plumstead’s remarks to staff member – who had not had compulsory self-harm training – were not reported, inquest hears.