Inmate wins 57p for lost magazine as compensation bill rises

♦ More than £1million in compensation has been paid to prisoners for lost property – including 57p to one inmate for a magazine.

There have been 13,000 taxpayer-funded payouts since 2013, with claims for damage to tracksuit bottoms (£10), a T-shirt (£3) and a stereo (£150). Convicts have also been reimbursed for loss of tobacco (£20.80), a DVD player (£68.99), and a watch (£10).

The statistics, via a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Justice, show £1,075,594.80 has been paid out over five years. However, the number and value of payments has increased in the last financial year despite Nigel Newcomen, the prisons ombudsman, telling governors to “get a grip” on the situation.

John O’connell, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Either the authorities are failing to treat prisoners at a standard they are legally required to, or they’re giving out compensation payments too easily – both at the expense of hardpressed taxpayers.”

A Prison Service spokesman said: “We successfully defend two thirds of all compensation cases brought against us by prisoners.”