Chaplains forced to flee at jail

PRISON chaplains had to flee to safety when a gang fight erupted during prayers at a jail hit by drug and violence problems, a report found.

On another occasion, an inmate was stabbed as prisoners arrived for worship at the overcrowded jail.

The clashes at Victorian-era Pentonville prison, in north London, were revealed by a watchdog. The Independent Monitoring Board’s report said: ‘There has been an increase in gang-related incidents during gatherings for prayer.’

It highlighted problems including drug misuse, attacks on staff and suicide at the prison, which holds around 1,200 men. Inmates were held in ‘inhumane’ conditions, it said.

The Prison Service said it had recruited 35 prison officers at the jail, and taken action that had cut drug use. Building work was being carried out to improve conditions.