Latest editorial
A general view of HMP Pentonville, north London
INSPECTORS who made an unannounced visit to a Hampshire prison found drug use, debt, rising violence, self-harm and men locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a day.
HMP Winchester is a reception prison holding up to 649 newly convicted or remand prisoners awaiting court appearances.
Inspectors found conditions were so bad that the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood was issued with “urgent notification” giving her 28 days to produce a plan to improve the prison.
Our members face serious violence, crumbling workplaces and exposure to dangerous drugs — it is outrageous we still cannot legally use our industrial muscle to fight back and defend ourselves, writes STEVE GILLAN
MARK FAIRHURST highlights the main issues facing officers in a long neglected service, and raised by front-line delegates at POA conference last week, including understaffing, violence, bullying and the ongoing denial of workers’ right to strike
