Belmarsh prison chief accused of bullying
Staff at jail that houses country’s most dangerous criminals allege they were harassed by the governor
‘We’re talking about gun crime, knife crime, offences that have taken lives’
‘A number of people wouldn’t want to even be in these individuals’ company’
‘Break down those barriers and you get to know who they are. They want to change’
THE governor of Belmarsh, one of Britain’s highest security prisons, is under investigation for alleged bullying of staff, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.
The claims have been made against Jenny Louis, Britain’s first female, black governor, by a member of staff who was dismissed for alleged security breaches, but who successfully appealed the decision.
It is understood at least one other prison officer who was also dismissed has made similar allegations.
The reinstated member of staff is also said to have raised allegations about corrupt behaviour and security breaches by colleagues at the prison, which houses some of Britain’s most violent offenders and dangerous terrorists. These are also being investigated by senior prison service officials.
Both sides are said to strongly dispute the allegations against them, with allies of Ms Louis suggesting the claims were only made after disciplinary action was taken. Prison officer sources claim the reinstated officer was only placed under investigation after raising allegations of harassment and bullying.
The dispute threatens to overshadow reform plans after HM inspectors recommended improvements at Belmarsh, in Thamesmead, south-east London, one of 12 high-security prisons in England and Wales but the only one that also operates as a local prison.
It also houses a “jail within a jail” – a high-security unit with 48 single cells – the most secure prison centre in Britain designed for the most dangerous criminals and terrorists in the country.
Among those believed to be held at the jail are Michael Adebolajo, who murdered Lee Rigby, the British soldier; Ali Harbi Ali, who killed David Amess, the MP; and David Copeland, the neo-nazi who bombed a gay pub.
In their latest report, following inspections in the summer of 2021, Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, praised Ms Louis’s “strong vision” for the future of the prison.
“While maintaining a strong security focus, the governor had set out to improve relationships between officers and prisoners and to create a more representative and caring staff team,” he wrote. But he warned that for the vision to be realised “she will need to strengthen her senior team and make sure that there is more rigorous oversight of some of the key areas”.
A female officer made allegations of harassment and bullying 16 months ago, according to a prison source. She was placed under investigation for alleged security breaches shortly after raising the allegations, which included claims of corrupt behaviour and security violations. The officer was sacked but challenged the dismissal backed by her union, the Prison Officers Association (POA). Her appeal was upheld and she has been reinstated.
Her allegations against Ms Louis are now being investigated by prison service officials. Allies of Ms Louis have, however, claimed allegations by staff of a similar nature had only been raised after they faced disciplinary action.
They said they were surprised at the claims, describing her as highly respected and well liked.
She gained a national profile when Belmarsh opened its doors to Ross Kemp, the broadcaster, for a documentary on life inside the jail.
It made headlines when the presenter breathed a tiny amount of residue left in a vape by a comatose inmate at the jail. Cameras followed him as he explored how prisoners and staff cope with high-profile inmates, extremists and common criminals living side-byside and learned how Belmarsh tries to rehabilitate inmates.
Ms Louis, then deputy governor, explained her philosophy: “These are individuals who are dangerous, we’re talking about gun crime, knife crime, offences that have taken people’s lives.
“A number of people wouldn’t want to even be in their company. I’m not saying that this is a miracle because it’s not, but break down those barriers and you get to know who they are. They want to change.”
Last year, “citizen panels” in the jail were launched, where eight prisoners were invited to join a panel with officers to advise her on ways to create “a sense of community” and “culture based on mutual respect”.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “There is zero tolerance for bullying across the Prison Service.”