‘It’s the smell that hits you’: Serving governor’s brutal portrait of life in a crowded prison

Published

2 months ago

September 19, 2024

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A serving prison governor from one of the country’s crowded jails has spoken exclusively to Sky News about conditions inside, the reality of early release and why we should rethink who is sent to jail.

Here is what he told us.

There is a smell you always associate with prison – the smell of unwashed bodies. Inmates can go two weeks, sometimes more, without changing their clothes.

Laundry services are one of the first things to get dropped as overcrowding means other things are prioritised and access to showers during unlock hours is limited. Personal hygiene is always a trigger for conflict.

Prisoners do not go to prison to be further punished. The punishment is going to prison. When the regime is so curtailed, so tight – prisoners feel they are being further punished, and they are reacting to that through their behaviour.

Even the delivery of food can be a flashpoint for further aggression. If staff are stretched for time – lunch will be taken to cell doors rather than allowing inmates out to the canteen. But for the prisoner – that’s just another example of being denied space out of their cell.

They’re kept behind cell doors anywhere between 20 and 23 hours a day, sometimes in a cell designed for one being shared by two. Floor space is minimal. Toilets can be next to the bed. It’s not conducive to a living environment. So unlock time reaches fever pitch.

On the wings you hear every sound imaginable. A fine line between frenzied excitement and something more sinister. Staff have their wits about them.

Violence

You’d expect jail to be violent by its very nature as an institution. But this is constant. Every day. And it’s getting worse.

Across the estate prisoner on prisoner assaults increased by 16% in the year to March. Assaults on staff increased by 24%. I couldn’t wholeheartedly say staff are safe at work, and at times they dread coming in. They’re leaving the landing in tears. They’re overwhelmed.

The availability of weapons heightens it. And they can be anything. A broken piece of furniture, a razor blade, a kettle of boiling water. Even plastic cutlery. Witnessing the aftermath of attacks with these kind of instruments is very difficult. But you can’t totally eradicate them.

If the day passes where there’s been no violence or incidents of self harm we’d consider it a good day.

Finding a prisoner who has cut themselves is traumatic. Yes you raise the alarm, you summon help from the health team. But in that moment a prison officer’s assistance can be what stands between life and death.

Sometimes there is no warning – staff might find a prisoner who has taken their own life. You might have been the last to see them, locking up the night before.

You might have had a purposeful conversation with them. And the next time you see them – they’ve taken their own life. That is not just another prisoner. It’s a human being you might have got to know very well.

Drugs

The Chief Inspector of Prisons noted in his report earlier this month that illicit drugs were of concern in “too many” prisons.

You can smell them on the wings. You’re more likely to smell them than see them because most of the abuse of drugs takes place behind cell doors. The amount of time prisoners spend behind them lends itself to it – making the passage of time easier.

The threat from drones bringing drugs into prisons has never been as acute as it is today. In order to get them in, prisoners will try to game the system – sometimes with threats and intimidation – to be housed in cells more convenient for accessing them from the outside.

Psychoactive substances have had massive repercussions within the prison environment. Previously rational prisoners take on a virtual personality change. It really does change them. The addiction, though, is such that they just cannot stop.

Early release

Thousands of people were released from across the prison estate last week after serving 40% of their sentence, in order to free up space. Next month we’ll see thousands more do the same.

Irrespective of what stage of their sentence people are released, there will always be those you fear will go on to re-offend. There weren’t many prisoners that I either spoke to or saw released that were talking about this as a golden opportunity to turn their life around.

I worry we’ve pushed the policy through rather quickly, and have concerns about the external infrastructure in place to support them. Releasing prisoners without anywhere to live is only going to go one way.

Which begs the question – are we doing the right thing by these individuals or are we just setting them up to fail to make sure we’ve increased some prison spaces?

If a large proportion of those we’ve released end up coming back, then we haven’t really achieved anything.

Future

If we’re serious about reducing the prison population we need to look at sentencing guidelines for certain offences. This has been topical recently, with high profile cases where we’ve seen people going to prison for cyber-related offences, comments on social media.

Prison needs to be for serious and organised crime, for violent offences.

These will be decisions that need to be made above my pay grade.

If we don’t get it right, and if we don’t review it, then I think the danger is – particularly for the younger generation – they may come to prison for relatively innocuous misdemeanours, and leave with ideas and associations that will take crime to an altogether different level.

And the reaction?

Responding to the points raised by the prison governor, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This government inherited a prison system in crisis – putting pressure on the entire justice system and ultimately the public at risk.

“We are taking the difficult but necessary action to make sure we can keep locking up dangerous criminals and keep people safe.

“We thank all our staff for their hard work and we will continue to drive improvements in our prisons to help more offenders turn their back on crime.”

The government insists emergency early release measures to deal with overcrowding form only part of their plan to reform the prison system. In the longer term they say they will look at building further cell spaces, review their approach to sentencing and increase the number of probation officers.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

UK

Gatwick Airport: Police release two people who were detained amid security incident as South Terminal reopens

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2024

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Gatwick Airport: Police release two people who were detained amid security incident as South Terminal reopens

Two people detained during a security incident at Gatwick Airport have been allowed to continue their journeys after a suspect package saw a “large part” of the South Terminal evacuated.

The terminal was closed for hours after the discovery of a “suspected prohibited item” in a passenger’s luggage sparked an emergency response. It reopened at around 3.45pm.

Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team “made the package safe” before handing the airport back to its operator, Sussex Police said.

Their statement continued: “Two people who were detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys.

“There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel.”

The force also thanked the public and airport staff for their patience while the incident was ongoing.

Earlier the airport, which is the UK’s second busiest, said the terminal was evacuated after a “security incident”.

“The earlier security alert has now been resolved and cleared by police,” it later said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

“The South Terminal is reopening to staff and will be open to passengers shortly.”

Gatwick said some flights were cancelled while others were delayed.

It said passengers should contact their airlines for any updates on flights.

Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of travellers heading away from the terminal building.

“Arrived at London Gatwick for routine connection. Got through customs to find out they’re evacuating the entire airport,” one passenger said.

“Even people through security are being taken outside. Trains shut down,” another passenger added, who said “thousands” of people were forced to leave.

Another passenger said people near the gates were being told to stay there and not go back to the departure lounge.

People outside the airport were handed blankets and water, passengers told Sky News.

The airport said its North Terminal was still operating normally.

Gatwick Express said its trains did not call at Gatwick Airport during the police response, but the airport said trains would start calling there again once the terminal was fully reopened.

More than 600 flights were due to take off or land at Gatwick on Friday, amounting to more than 121,000 passenger seats, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

UK

Gatwick: What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled?

Published

12 hours ago

November 22, 2024

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Gatwick: What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled?

Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal has been heavily disrupted after a “suspected prohibited item” was discovered in luggage, leaving passengers in limbo.

Some passengers were reportedly left on planes that weren’t taking off, while others were stranded in the airport for hours after Gatwick made the announcement this morning.

Sussex Police said the explosive ordnance disposal team was being sent in “as a precaution” and a security cordon was put in place.

It now says the incident has been resolved and cleared – but warned there were still “some delays and cancellations”.

Gatwick Airport latest updates

The airport, which is the UK’s second busiest, was set to see off some 316 departing flights today, according to aviation analytics website Cirium.

But what are the rights of passengers if their flights are delayed or cancelled?

Your rights during delays

Your flight is covered by UK law if it departs from a UK airport, arrives at a UK airport on a UK or EU airline, or arrives at an EU airport on a UK airline.

When it comes to significant delays, UK law says airlines must provide you with care and assistance.

Significant delays are classed as:

More than two hours for short-haul flights of under 1,500km (932 miles)
More than three hours for medium-haul flights of 1,500km-3,500km (932-2,175 miles)
More than four hours for long-haul flights of over 3,500km

Here’s what the law says the airline must provide you with until it is able to fly you to your destination:

A reasonable amount of food and drink
A means for you to communicate (often by refunding the cost of your calls)
Accommodation, if you are re-routed the next day
Transport to and from the accommodation (or your home, if you are able to return there)

It says this must be provided for you for however long delays last, irrespective of what has caused them.

Airlines may not always be able to arrange care and assistance for all passengers during major disruptions directly, but the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says you can organise the things listed for yourself and then claim the cost back from your airline later if you keep every receipt and do not spend more than is deemed reasonable.

In other words, don’t splash out on things like alcohol and luxury hotels during your wait and expect to claim your money back later.

What are your rights if your flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must either give you a refund or book you on an alternative flight.

You can get your money back for all parts of a ticket you haven’t used, the CAA says.

If you have booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, for example, you can get the full cost of the return ticket back from your airline.

“If you are a transfer passenger and you have already completed part of your journey, you are also entitled to a flight back to your original departure point when your connecting flight is cancelled and you decide not to continue your journey,” it adds.

If you still want to travel, your airline must find you an alternative flight – whether it is the next available one, or a flight at an alternative, later date.

If another airline is flying significantly sooner than yours is able to offer, you may have the right to be booked onto a rival airline’s flight, but this has to be negotiated with the company.

On last-minute cancellations, Naveen Dittakavi, founder and chief executive of Next Vacay, said: “If you’re already at the airport once the flight is cancelled, the best thing you can do is stay calm – you are protected against many things that might go wrong.

“Try calling the airline helpline rather than waiting to speak directly with the airport staff. The helpline is often more flexible and may provide you with an e-credit or voucher, or flexibility to change your travel dates quickly.”

Can you get compensation?

In some cases, airlines may have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late – but that is only if the delay is deemed to be your airline’s fault.

Disruptions caused by things deemed “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible for compensation, according to the CAA.

UK

Downing Street indicates Netanyahu would be arrested in UK after ICC warrant

Published

15 hours ago

November 22, 2024

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Downing Street indicates Netanyahu would be arrested in UK after ICC warrant

Downing Street has indicated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived on British soil following an international arrest warrant being issued for him.

On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defence secretary Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza.

The UK government was reluctant to commit to saying Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to the UK but Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said the government would “fulfil its legal obligations” in relation to the arrest warrant.

“The UK will always comply with its legal obligations as set out by domestic law, and indeed international law,” he said.

He added the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because the country has never been visited by anyone wanted by the international court.

Earlier on Friday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it “wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment” on the processes involved as the ICC is independent, although the UK is a member.

She told Sky News: “We’ve always respected the importance of international law, but in the majority of the cases that they pursue, they don’t become part of the British legal process.

“What I can say is that obviously, the UK government’s position remains that we believe the focus should be on getting a ceasefire in Gaza.”

However, Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of the foreign affairs committee in parliament, told Sky News: “If Netanyahu comes to Britain, our obligation under the Rome Convention would be to arrest him under the warrant from the ICC.

“Not really a question of should, we are required to because we are members of the ICC.”

After winning July’s election the government said it would not oppose the ICC’s right to issue the warrants.

Ireland, France and Italy have signalled they would arrest Netanyahu if he came to their countries.

Asked if police would arrest the Israeli leader in Ireland, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Yes, absolutely. We support international courts and we apply their warrants.”

Germany said it would make a decision if Netanyahu came to Germany but said it is one of the “biggest supporters of the ICC”, partly as a result of history.

A German government spokesman said: “At the same time, it is a consequence of German history that we share unique relations and a great responsibility with Israel.”

An ICC arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri, the mastermind behind the 7 October attacks in Israel, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel claims Al Masri was killed earlier this year but the ICC said that has not been confirmed, so it was issuing the arrest warrant.

Netanyahu’s office said the warrants against him and Gallant were “antisemitic” and said Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions”.

Neither Israel nor the US are members of the ICC. Israel has rejected the court’s jurisdiction and denies committing war crimes in Gaza.

US President Joe Biden described the warrants against Israeli leaders as “outrageous”, adding: “Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas.”

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were a “mark of shame” for the ICC.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the ICC’s decision sent a “terrible message”.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday he would invite Netanyahu to visit Hungary and he would guarantee the arrest warrant would “not be observed”.

The ICC originally said it was seeking arrest warrants for the three men in May for the alleged crimes and on Thursday announced that it had rejected challenges by Israel and issued warrants of arrest.

In its update, the ICC said it found “reasonable grounds to believe” that Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility” for alleged crimes.

These, the court said, include “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts”.

It is the first time a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice.