Jail guards 'colluded in assaults'

Press Association
Nov. 01, 2006

Prison officers colluded in serious assaults on vulnerable prisoners, according to allegations in a jail watchdog's report.

Three inmates at High Down jail in Sutton, Surrey, were attacked just days before Anne Owers, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, arrived on site with her team.

Ms Owers' report has raised concerns about high numbers of inmates reporting bullying and intimidation by staff.

"Most worryingly, during the weekend prior to the inspection team arriving, there had been three vulnerable prisoners seriously assaulted on one house block, and intelligence within the prison indicated that this incident may well have occurred with staff collusion," the report said.

"The governor took immediate and appropriate action against the member of staff, and is to be commended for doing so as this was a serious development."

Ms Owers said the jail is generally "moving in the right direction", but that there are still serious concerns about the safety of some inmates.

In a survey carried out by inspectors, 32% of prisoners said that they had been intimidated by staff, compared with an average in other jails of 25%. There was a history of over-use of force by staff and over-use of special cells, the report on the 740-inmate jail said.

Responses to a large problem with prisoner-on-prisoner bullying have been inadequate, it added.

Making 125 recommendations for improvement, Ms Owers said: "High Down is under tremendous pressure as a result of the growth in the prison population. Despite this, the establishment had made considerable strides in a number of areas. However, it was failing to ensure the safety of all its prisoners, and we and managers had serious concerns about the behaviour and attitudes of a small number of staff."

Prison Service director-general Phil Wheatley said: "I am pleased the Chief Inspector of Prisons has acknowledged that High Down continues to raise standards in areas where it is most needed. The governor and his staff are committed to ensuring the safety and order of all within the prison."