Five-star prisons

IT’S been reported that HMP Lewes has acted on only six of a 45-point action plan by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons as special measures for improvement (Mail).

In fact, self-harm, violence and drug trafficking have worsened.

I served briefly as a prison officer at Lewes 45 years ago when there were none of these problems. Luxuries such as radios were not allowed as prison was then a real punishment.

Equality laws have resulted in chaos in today’s five- star prison system. As long as softly, softly imprisonment prevails, the Chief Inspector will continue to bang his head against a padded cell wall in seeking solutions. DAVID FLEMING, Downham Market, Norfolk.