PRT comment: HMP Long Lartin and HMP Manchester

Commenting on the findings of conditions at HMP Long Lartin and HMP Manchester by HM Inspectorate of Prisons today (14 January) Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

“The infiltration of criminal organisations into prisons is a serious and worrying development which these troubling inspection reports highlight. An illicit prison economy that is driven by drug dealing and criminality leads to increased debt and violence and can also have a serious negative impact on the wider community outside of prison.

“The causes are complex and deep-rooted and require a holistic and multi-pronged approach from the prison, police and security services. Part of the answer lies in reducing demand for drugs in the first place — by increasing time out of cell and ensuring prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity including work, education and training. Restoring hope to prisoners by providing opportunities to enable them to work towards their safe release would also help to break the vicious cycle of despair and drug addiction. Giving prison leaders more autonomy to procure security equipment and recruit properly trained and vetted workforce are also vital to countering the influence of criminal organisations in our prisons.”