Staff corruption 'major problem' at West London prison rife with drugs

 Staff corruption is a 'major problem' at an overcrowded West London prison where over a third of inmates are testing positive for illegal drugs, prison inspectors have found. HMP Wormwood Scrubs, a Category B prison in Hammersmith, currently holds up to 1,212 adult men, with around 60 per cent of those typically on remand or awaiting sentence.

A report released today by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons detailed one of the strictest regimes on the prison estate, where prisoners on different wings are prevented from mixing, access to the library is 'very limited', and unemployed prisoners (39 per cent of inmates) were only unlocked for one-and-a-half hours at most a day. Families also faced issues booking visits due to a faulty system.

The inspection also found the prison is 'badly affected' by drugs, with more than a third of tests showing positive results. Though security had improved windows and netting to stop the flow, the body scanner in the reception was not always used, gate security was inconsistent, and staff corruption was a 'major problem', according to the Inspectorate.

Commenting on potential violence by staff, the report added: "It was disappointing to find that the lack of oversight of the use of force, which had been a concern at our last inspection, was still not good enough. Many officers were failing to activate their body-worn cameras, with only 32 per cent of incidents recorded in the past year."

Despite the issues, inspectors also found safeguarding had improved with no self-inflicted deaths for almost two years, compared to 10 that occurred between 2018 and 2022, and six between 2021 and 2023. "The rate of self-harm was the lowest of all comparator prisons," the report writers said.

Inspectors also noted the prison was 'reasonably calm and ordered' and 'capable staff and middle managers meant the prison ran more effectively than similar jails'.

Hundreds of prison officers may have to leave UK after Labour’s visa rule change

 Prison Officers’ Association says change in eligibility for skilled work visas is ‘disgraceful’ and ‘pandering to Reform’

Hundreds of foreign prison officers will lose their jobs and could be forced to return to their home countries at short notice because of a change in visa rules introduced by Labour, governors and a union have warned.

More than 1,000 staff, mainly from African countries, have been sponsored by prisons across England and Wales allowing them to come to the UK on skilled worker visas.

But since a rule change in July, overseas prison officers whose contracts need to be renewed have been told that they are no longer eligible for a visa if they are paid below the threshold of £41,700. Keir Starmer promised in May to drive down net migration to the UK “significantly”.

Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) union, said the change was “scandalous” and done in haste because the government was “pandering to Reform”.

“We have written to ministers asking them to reverse this decision and give prison officers an exemption because we need the staff they are forcing out of the country, but they won’t give it to us,” he said.

“It is because they are pandering to Reform: they want to seem tough on immigration and reduce the level of overseas workers. But as a result, prisons will be harder to manage, staff morale will plummet and hard-working colleagues will be forced to leave the country. It is a disgraceful way to treat them.”

Tom Wheatley, the president of the Prison Governors’ Association, said the changes to visa rules had come as a worrying surprise to members.

“This really matters for us as there are well over 1,000 prison officers who only have a limited right to work in the UK and are reliant on securing a skilled worker visa to be able to continue to work.

“People from overseas, particularly those from African nations, have accounted for about 80% of applications for prison officer jobs. It costs about £10,000 to recruit and train every prison officer and now governors are having to sack people when their right to work comes to an end. We’re losing some good people,” he said.

The Prison Service has failed to attract suitable UK applicants and so has sponsored skilled worker visas for overseas workers after a change in the rules enabled them to recruit from abroad.

In May, it emerged that more than 700 Nigerians had been recruited to work in UK prisons last year, accounting for 29% of job applicants and 12% of staff hired at public-sector prisons in England and Wales. The next most common country of origin was Ghana, with 140 job offers.

The government announced changes to the rules on 22 July meaning that skilled worker applicants had to be paid £41,700. Most new recruits are paid about £33,000.

The POA wrote to Shabana Mahmood, the then justice secretary, expressing surprise at the rule change and urging ministers to give dispensation for prison officer grades who would not reach the £41,700 salary level.

“This is causing a lot of distress for individuals and what it could mean for them with no real answers from HMPPS [HM Prison and Probation Service] or indeed government,” the letter said.

Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, replied that the government could not provide individuals with immigration advice or support with personal financial costs for maintaining their right to work in the UK. “I recognise that this is a difficult situation for individuals who may have been seeking sponsorship for a skilled worker visa,” he said.

The rules are already affecting the lives of prison officers who are being forced to return home.

The POA has taken up the case of a Nigerian-born prison officer who has lived with his family in the UK for three years and has been in his current prison officer job at HMP Liverpool since February.

Despite applying for a skilled worker visa renewal before 22 July, his application has been refused. He is now attempting to find an alternative sponsor with only two months left on his visa and facing the possibility that he will have to return with his wife and daughter to Nigeria within weeks, he has told the union.

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.

Rising prison numbers lead to more use of force

 Guernsey's rising prison population has led to an increase in the use of force at the facility, according to the annual report for 2024.

Last year the prison saw 33 use of force incidents, up from 20 in 2023.

However, the report indicates the injuries during these incidents have been minimal.

The prison also saw the highest number of inmates since the Covid pandemic, with 99 prisoners at Les Nicolles in November.

Prison governor John De Carteret blamed the high numbers on overcrowding in UK prisons stopping transfers.

On the issue of discipline and safety, the prison saw 171 offences in 2024, more than double the 67 in 2023.

Guernsey's only prison has space for 134 prisoners at capacity.

The majority of inmates held during 2024 were either held after being convicted of sexual offences or drug crimes.

In his foreword to the report John De Carteret, the prison governor said: "The population remained complex, with an increase in sex offenders, women, and the continued accommodation of children within the environment."

The average daily prison population throughout 2024 was 90, with the highest daily population reaching 99 and the lowest being 80.

Finding housing for prisoners leaving Les Nicolles has continued to be an issue for staff at the facility.

The 2024 annual report stated: "One of the biggest barriers we face to successful rehabilitation of offenders is the evident lack of suitable accommodation on [the] island.

"We find the housing issue has become even more prevalent during 2024 and due to the current climate, our client group are not a population generally prioritised by accommodation providers."

In 2024 75% of the prison population engaged in some form of education, while 95% of prisoners worked daily.

Only prisoners over retirement age or on remand are not required to work, though officials have stated prisoners in these categories still often choose to do so.

Prisoners are able to work in the prison kitchens, grow vegetables in the gardens, work as gym assistants, use the workshops to create woodwork, help maintain the prison, clean the facility or work as librarians.

A total of 145 qualifications were achieved across a range of subjects, from basic literacy qualifications to university degrees, at Les Nicolles Prison.

Mentally unwell prisoners face treatment delays

 A prison officer has admitted having a romantic relationship with an inmate.

Charlotte Winstanley, 27, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and taking an unauthorised photograph inside HMP Lindholme in Doncaster.

Co-defendant, prisoner Jabhari Blair, 29, pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug, namely cannabis, and two counts of possessing illicit items, which relate to a mobile phone and USB stick.

When told they would be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 3 December, Blair, who turns 30 that day, remarked: "Thanks for the birthday present, judge."

The hearing on Thursday was told Winstanley committed the misconduct offence between 1 August and 17 November 2022, though it was not made clear who she had been romantically involved with at the prison.

Both defendants entered not guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to convey prohibited items into prison.

Winstanley, of Coronation Road, Doncaster, also denied bringing a mobile phone into prison on 17 November 2022.

Judge Megan Rhys was told Blair, who appeared via video link from HMP Doncaster, has a pending parole hearing in December.

Prison officer admits relationship with inmate

 A prison officer has admitted having a romantic relationship with an inmate.

Charlotte Winstanley, 27, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and taking an unauthorised photograph inside HMP Lindholme in Doncaster.

Co-defendant, prisoner Jabhari Blair, 29, pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug, namely cannabis, and two counts of possessing illicit items, which relate to a mobile phone and USB stick.

When told they would be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 3 December, Blair, who turns 30 that day, remarked: "Thanks for the birthday present, judge."

The hearing on Thursday was told Winstanley committed the misconduct offence between 1 August and 17 November 2022, though it was not made clear who she had been romantically involved with at the prison.

Both defendants entered not guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to convey prohibited items into prison.

Winstanley, of Coronation Road, Doncaster, also denied bringing a mobile phone into prison on 17 November 2022.

Judge Megan Rhys was told Blair, who appeared via video link from HMP Doncaster, has a pending parole hearing in December.

Man sends ‘get out of jail free’ letter to HMP Chelmsford – and it works

 A man awaiting sentence for fraud in HMP Chelmsford arranged to have a forged High Court letter claiming he had been approved for release sent to the prison – and was let out.

Even experienced staff were fooled, and the 36-year-old walked out of the prison gates. Unfortunately for him, he then used the same method on two more occasions to try to get other men released, but the prison got suspicious at this rush of similar letters from the courts, refused to free the other two, and then tracked down the originator and took him back inside.

Six people have now been convicted of being part of the plot, which Judge Mary Loram KC told Chelmsford Crown Court had been “meticulously planned and very serious”. All six pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Five prison staff sacked over leaked messages

 Five staff members at a Welsh prison have been sacked after an investigation into messages showing employees laughing at violent encounters with inmates.

South Wales Police confirmed criminal proceedings had ended with individuals released without charge after staff members at HMP Parc in Bridgend were arrested last September and in January.

The leaked messages were shared on social media last summer and included employees making fun of self-harm incidents and another joking about punching an inmate.

G4S, which runs the private prison, said of eight employees who were arrested, five were dismissed, two resigned during the investigation and one has been given a final written warning.

In April it was reported one staff member at the prison responded to a complaint about an inmate saying they needed to be "broken mentally and physically".

In the messages, one exchange about an inmate said they "opened the door and they smashed him into the shower lol".

A response to the message said: "Good! I hope they hurt him too."

A separate exchange used an expletive to describe punching an inmate "after he bit me so there's some closure", along with a laughing emoji.

Other messages included jokes about someone who was said to be at risk of taking their life and another offender who was seriously self-harming.

At the time, G4S said it had a "zero tolerance" approach to staff behaviour that fell short of its standards.

In response to the messages, South Wales Police said it had established a dedicated team to "thoroughly examine all communications related to misconduct at HMP Parc", focusing on allegations of assault and misconduct in public office.

The force said it had forwarded the findings from its investigation to G4S to address any "internal conduct issues that may arise".

In September 2024 four custody officers were arrested on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office.

An additional arrest phase took place in January 2025, which saw one man released under investigation and five individuals bailed for further inquiries.

In an update on Thursday, South Wales Police spokesperson: "Following a comprehensive review, all criminal proceedings against those arrested have now concluded.

"On the guidance of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), these individuals have been released without charge."

Det Ch Insp Dean Taylor said: "I want to be clear that, together with our partners at G4S, we are taking significant steps to ensure that inappropriate behaviour at HMP Parc will not be tolerated."

Sacked Met officer jailed for 16 years for rapes

 A former Metropolitan Police constable has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, voyeurism and stalking, relating to three women.

Jake Cummings, 26, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was a special constable in Dorset when he attacked the first woman, and a police constable in London when the offences took place against the other two women.

Jurors at trials at St Albans Crown Court heard he had been in separate relationships with the women over a period of nearly five years.

Judge Bilal Siddique told Cummings, of Lytton Way, what happened could "only be described as nothing other than a campaign of abuse".

"There are a number of significant aggravating features," the judge said during sentencing at the same court.

"You abused your position as a police officer to control your victims; this was anything but impulsive behaviour.

"The totality of your offending demonstrates you don't take no for an answer from women.

"You were a serving police officer. Your offending must have been abundantly obvious to you."

The judge concluded that Cummings was "dangerous" and posed a risk.

He said he must serve two-thirds of the 16-year sentence before parole could be considered.

Hertfordshire Police said an investigation into Cummings began after a victim made a report in February 2024.

A second victim came forward shortly afterwards and a third victim was identified through analysis of a mobile device.

Cummings, who had also lived in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, was arrested at his mother's home in Weymouth, Dorset.

The three women's victim impact statements were read in court by prosecution barrister James Thacker KC:

• "He always had to know where I was and what I was doing," said one woman. "He was constantly texting. I was depressed for a long time over what he did to me … it had a significant psychological effect on me. He clearly does not feel that he did anything wrong. That is terrifying."

• "I lost control of my life," the second woman said. "I lost a little bit of me really. My dad was in tears a lot." She said Cummings had called her a "retard".

• The third woman said: "He made me feel awful every day. I was so terrified no-one would believe me. I was so worried he would walk away [free]."

Cummings had been found guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour, voyeurism and stalking in October 2024 after a trial.

Jurors had not been able to reach verdicts on allegations that he had raped two of the women, but he was convicted of two rapes in July 2025 after a re-trial.

The Metropolitan Police had sacked Cummings in October 2024 after concluding he had committed gross misconduct.

Barrister Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob, who represented Cummings, said: "It has been hard for him to accept his guilt but he does appreciate his responsibilities."

Miss Lloyd-Jacob said Cummings would undertake whatever courses were available in prison with the aim of making him a "better person" when released.

She told the judge Cummings "was young" and that his father had died by suicide when his son was "very young".

'Vile pattern of abuse'

A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson said between July 2019 and February 2024 Cummings had made the three women's lives an "absolute misery with his oppressive behaviour".

Police said the women came from three different parts of the country but all told "very similar stories of harassment and coercive control".

They said Cummings' "abusive behaviour" continued after the relationships ended.

Neil Vaughan, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Jake Cummings thought that he was above the law, but his convictions prove otherwise.

"These women did not know one another, but together they painted a compelling picture which laid bare the vile pattern of abuse inflicted by Cummings."

Increase in taser and stab vests

Justice Secretary David Lammy announced plans to increase the use of Tasers and the provision of stab-proof vests for prison officers to combat rising violence in prisons, following incidents like the attack at HMP Frankland. This includes providing 10,000 stab vests (5,000 for high-security facilities) and training up to 500 officers to use Tasers in prisons, scaled up from a 20-person trial.  

• Stab vests: 

  The number of stab-proof vests will increase from 750 to 10,000, with 5,000 being allocated to every officer in high-security facilities. 
• Tasers: 

  Up to 500 officers will be trained to use Tasers, an increase from the 20 specialist officers involved in a trial. 
• Reasoning: 

  The measures were announced following a rise in violence against prison staff, including a recent attack at HMP Frankland where officers were injured by weapons and hot oil. 
• Funding: 

  The new kit is part of a £15 million investment announced by the Justice Secretary. 

Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Wakefield by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 30 June – 10 July 2025

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Prison worker jailed for having sex with inmate

 A prison worker who had a sexual relationship with an inmate at a Lincolnshire prison has been jailed for eight months.

Yolanda Briggs, 52, of Horbling Lane, Stickney, admitted having sex with prisoner Allan Collins at HMP North Sea Camp, an open prison in Freiston, near Boston.

She pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between 31 May and 19 September 2024

Lincoln Crown Court heard Briggs admitted the relationship to a deputy governor at the prison when she resigned from her position as an administrator and during a police interview.

Suspicions were raised after Briggs' colleagues noticed she was spending too much time in the staff mess area, where Collins worked.

Staff at the prison also received an anonymous letter which stated Collins, who was serving a six-year sentence, had bragged about having sex with a prison worker called Yolanda and had nearly been caught.

The letter also gave details of meetings between the pair in the staff mess area and at Briggs' home when Collins was on day release.

Claire Holmes, mitigating, urged the court to pass a suspended sentence, arguing Briggs would find prison very difficult.

"Her role in the prison was an administrator, she did not have a role in managing prisoners," Miss Holmes said.

Miss Holmes added Briggs had continued to stay in contact with Collins but added: "She knows she did wrong."

Passing sentence, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight stressed staff at North Sea Camp had a huge responsibility and Briggs "knew where the boundaries were".

"However, you remain in a relationship with Mr Collins and intend to be together when he is released," the judge added.

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