‘Measures must be taken to safeguard prisoners’

The prison watchdog has called on the Government to save lives and protect prisoners at a jail where eight inmates have killed themselves in two years.

Peter Clarke used a new “urgent notification” system for the first time to put David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, on notice that immediate action is needed at HMP Nottingham.

Mr Clarke, chief inspector of prisons, said: “The problems at Nottingham are intractable and that staff there are unable to improve safety.” Mr Gauke told him in a letter: “I will be looking closely at the issues faced by the prison and will publish an action plan within 28 days.”