LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
* New specialist stafftobolster safety and security
* Anti-drone measuressuch asnew windows and nettingto clamp down onillicititems
* Ramp up ofprisoner discipline hearings totacklebad behaviour
The jail received an Urgent Notification inDecember, with inspectors raising concerns abouthigh levelsof violence and self-harm, the prevalence of drugs,andpoor living conditions.
The Prison Service has today (14 January) published a new action plan indirectresponseto the notificationwith the aim of rapidly improving safety and standards.This includes installing new windows and nettingto combatdronesdeliveringcontraband,hiring specialist search teams and dog handlers to crack down on drugs and weapons, and improved safety training for staff.
There will also be a greater focus on cleanliness witha new strategy to improve standards both insideand outside the prison, while vital maintenance and refurbishmentswill be completed over the coming months.
Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said:
The Chief Inspector's findings at HMPSwalesidewere deeply concerningand clearly not acceptable. This reflectsthe scale of the crisis we inherited across our prison system.
I visited the prisonlast weekand saw firsthand theefforts of hardworking staff todeliverthe necessaryimprovements,and thisaction plan willsupport theminthis vital work.
More rule-breaking prisoners will also face consequences for their actions through a ramp up ofdisciplinary hearingsto bring order to the prison.
Today's announcement followswiderGovernment action to improve safety across the prisonestate,including rolling out protective body armour to frontline officers and investing £40 million to boost security and clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
