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| Man arrested after inmate dies in private prison in Peterborough | Man arrested after inmate dies in private prison in Peterborough |
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| The number of suspected murders recorded in UK prisons is at its highest in at least 37 years after another alleged homicide at a privately run jail. | |
| Prison reform campaigners warned violence in jails is out of control after a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder when an inmate died in violence at HMP Peterborough in the early hours of Wednesday morning. | |
| There have been eight suspected murders at UK prisons this year, the highest since records began in 1978, when the previous record was set at five homicides. | |
| There are on average one or two murders in prisons each year, according to official Ministry of Justice figures, whereas in 2015 there have been as many suspected murders as in the previous five years combined. | |
| Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the spate of suspected homicides behind bars had raised the possibility of the highest recorded murder rate in at least 37 years. | |
| . “Levels of violence are now out of control, putting both prisoners and staff in danger,” she said. | |
| “Whilst we welcome the concentration by the government on solving the long-term problems within the system, immediate action must be taken to cut the number of people in prison and to support staff.” | |
| Peterborough prison, which is run by Sodexo Justice Services, is a category B prison that holds about 500 men. | Peterborough prison, which is run by Sodexo Justice Services, is a category B prison that holds about 500 men. |
| A Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman said: “We were called at about 1.45am this morning with reports of violence at HMP Peterborough. | A Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman said: “We were called at about 1.45am this morning with reports of violence at HMP Peterborough. |
| “Sadly one prisoner has died. Another, a 25-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody at Thorpe Wood police station in Peterborough.” | “Sadly one prisoner has died. Another, a 25-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody at Thorpe Wood police station in Peterborough.” |
| Peterborough prison was the site of a pilot payment-by-results scheme, under which released prisoners receive through-the-gate support in an effort to reduce reoffending. | Peterborough prison was the site of a pilot payment-by-results scheme, under which released prisoners receive through-the-gate support in an effort to reduce reoffending. |
| A Sodexo spokesman said: “We can confirm there was a death in custody at HMP Peterborough this morning. Police were called at 1.45am. | A Sodexo spokesman said: “We can confirm there was a death in custody at HMP Peterborough this morning. Police were called at 1.45am. |
| “The next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with the family. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the police investigation is under way.” | “The next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with the family. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the police investigation is under way.” |