PRT comment: HMP Guys Marsh

Commenting on today’s HM Inspectorate of Prisons report on Guys Marsh, Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust said:

“Yet another inspection shows the damage done to our prisons by irresponsible cost cutting, and a few more staff won’t make the difference on their own. The solution must involve restoring hope for those prisoners who want to make constructive use of their time inside. That should include spending time working in the community as preparation for release. But incredibly, only one prisoner in Guys Marsh was out on temporary licence at the time of the inspection. It is time ministers were held to account for the part their government has played in reducing prisons like Guys Marsh to the state they’re in—and for the policy changes they need to approve to help them recover.”