The jail where it’s easier to get drugs than books

INSPECTORS have condemned a prison where it is easier for inmates to obtain drugs than clean clothes or books, saying it is one of the worst they had seen.

A scathing report found ‘very high’ levels of violence at HMP Hindley, near Wigan, with prisoners often locked in their cells 24 hours a day.

A survey of prisoners indicated it was ‘far easier’ to get hold of drugs than clean clothes, bed sheets or books.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said: ‘The regime at Hindley was one of the worst, and possibly the very worst, that inspectors had ever seen in this type of prison.

‘The length of time for which young adults and adults alike were locked up was, in our considered view, unnecessary, unjustifiable and counterproductive.

‘Almost every aspect of prison life for the prisoners was adversely affected by the regime.’

The Government is facing a furious revolt over dire conditions and overcrowding in the nation’s prisons.

Earlier this month up to 10,000 prison officers stopped working in protest at soaring levels of violence and self-harm.

They were only forced to call off their walkout after Justice Secretary Liz Truss secured a High Court injunction.

Campaigners have also highlighted that a record number of inmates – 102 – have taken their own lives in prisons in England and Wales so far this year.

The warnings came after a string of other high- profile incidents, including the escape of two inmates and the publication of photos of inmates partying behind bars. Officials were shocked by conditions at Hindley Prison, which houses just over 500 category C, lowrisk offenders and was built in the 1960s.

Residential wings and landings were dirty, with inspectors finding mould and fungus, while prisoners struggled to get access to basic facilities such as showers. The inspectors said locking inmates up for ‘wholly unreasonable’ lengths of time had not altered the fact that nearly half of prisoners said it was ‘easy’ to get hold of illegal drugs.

New psychoactive substances – previously known as ‘legal highs’ – were also found to be a ‘major issue’ for prison officers trying to maintain order. Mr Clarke said: ‘To make progress, there needs to be a very clear recognition of what is good at Hindley, and also where there needs to be fundamental change.

‘There is no good reason why Hindley should not become a safe, decent and respectful prison.’

The Government has pledged 2,500 extra prison officers and special measures for vulnerable or mentally ill inmates.

Ministers have also unveiled measures to stop drones dropping drugs into jails and to block the illegal use of mobile phones.

Earlier this month the Mail revealed shocking ‘jailfie’ pictures posted on Facebook by prisoners at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset showing them bragging about steak dinners, downing booze and taking drugs.

The images, which were taken on phones smuggled into jails, sparked outrage among politicians and victims of crime.

‘The worst we have ever seen’