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Pentonville Prison stabbing: Inmate killed and two injured Pentonville Prison stabbing: Inmate killed and two injured
(35 minutes later)
A prisoner has died and two others have been critically injured in a stabbing at HMP Pentonville in London. A prisoner has died and two others critically injured in a stabbing at HMP Pentonville, leading to claims the prison system is in a "dark place".
The inmate, in his 20s, died at the prison shortly after the attack on Tuesday, while the injured pair were taken to hospital with knife wounds. The inmate, in his 20s, died at the London prison shortly after the attack on Tuesday. The injured pair were taken to hospital with knife wounds.
Two prisoners, aged 34 and 26, have been arrested and police have launched a murder investigation. Two prisoners, aged 34 and 26, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The Prison Governors Association said prisoners were living in "squalid and brutal conditions". The Prison Governors Association (PGA) said prisoners were living in "squalid and brutal conditions".
The injured inmates, aged 21 and 30, remain in a critical condition.
A PGA spokesman said: "Our members, uniformed staff and prisoners are working and living in squalid and brutal conditions which should not be tolerated in a country that is one of the richest in the Western world.A PGA spokesman said: "Our members, uniformed staff and prisoners are working and living in squalid and brutal conditions which should not be tolerated in a country that is one of the richest in the Western world.
"If a society is judged by how it treats those it locks up, then we are in a very dark place.""If a society is judged by how it treats those it locks up, then we are in a very dark place."
'Significant increase in violence'
The association has renewed calls for a public inquiry amid what it said was an "unprecedented" rise in prison violence and suicides.The association has renewed calls for a public inquiry amid what it said was an "unprecedented" rise in prison violence and suicides.
On Friday, Kevin Reilly, the governor of the jail, said in a newsletter: "Over the past few weeks some people have felt anxious about violence at Pentonville." In response to those comments, a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson said the justice secretary had made clear that safety in prisons was "fundamental to the proper functioning of our justice system and a vital part of our reform plans".
'Very dark place' "We are fully committed to addressing the significant increase in violence, self-harm and self-inflicted deaths in our prisons," the spokesperson added.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said formal identification of the dead man had not taken place, adding a post-mortem examination would be arranged. The MoJ said measures would include spending an extra £14m in 10 prisons and increasing staffing levels by more than 400 prison officers.
At its annual conference in Derby last week, the Prison Governors Association said safety standards in prisons had declined since the introduction of "benchmarking" - a programme to drive down costs by reducing staffing and simplifying the prison regime. Analysis: BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Danny Shaw
Responding to the Pentonville stabbing, a spokesman for the association said: "Our members, uniformed staff and prisoners are working and living in squalid and brutal conditions which should not be tolerated in a country that is one of the richest in the Western world. One unconfirmed report said the stabbings occurred in the exercise yard and an air ambulance was called.
"If a society is judged by how it treats those it locks up, then we are in a very dark place." Last week, Pentonville's Governor, Kevin Reilly, noted that in recent weeks people had "felt anxious" about violence at the jail.
Pentonville Prison Writing in an internal newsletter, circulated on Friday and seen by BBC News, Mr Reilly said reducing violence was one of his "top five priorities".
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We are fully committed to addressing the significant increase in violence, self-harm and self-inflicted deaths in our prisons. Mr Reilly said although there'd been a slight reduction in violent incidents during the month people remained concerned.
"Earlier this month the justice secretary announced an immediate investment of an additional £14m in 10 of our most challenging prisons, increasing staffing levels by over 400 prison officers. And in July, the Pentonville Independent Monitoring Board criticised the 174-year-old prison, saying the government should "knock it down" or "urgently upgrade" it.
"In the coming weeks she will be publishing a White Paper setting out plans across the estate for prison safety and reform to 2020 and beyond." The board, which comprises volunteers who scrutinise prison conditions, said the jail was "decrepit" and blamed the former legal high, Spice, for driving an illicit economy which in turn had led to violence, self-harm and bullying.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Police are investigating an incident at HMP Pentonville. In its annual report on Pentonville, the board said there were 40% more prisoners at the jail than under the Prison Service measure of "uncrowded capacity" - almost 1,300 were held there - and said there was a shortage of prison officers.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage." The report said there were 16 violent incidents each week at Pentonville but the number had fallen year on year, though access to former legal highs remained a "concern".
The Pentonville death is the 3rd killing this year (Long Lartin and Coldingley the others) in England and Wales jails, and the 11th since the start of 2015.
Visitors queuing to see friends and relatives inside the prison spoke of their safety concerns.
"My son is 21. I haven't felt the same since I heard the news," one woman said.
"As a mother everyone tells you at least you know where he is and he is safe - but actually he's not safe, is he?
"No matter their age or what they have done, no-one deserves to die in prison."
Former prisons minister Andrew Selous insisted money was being invested in recruiting new staff and building modern jails.
"What has happened is horrendous," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I have met the parents of prisoners who have been murdered and it is horrific and my deepest sympathy goes out to all those affected."
"The government absolutely gets the seriousness of the violence issues, there is a huge amount of work being done to reduce violence."
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Police are investigating an incident at HMP Pentonville. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
No prison officers are understood to have been injured in the incident, the Prison Officers Association said.No prison officers are understood to have been injured in the incident, the Prison Officers Association said.
Pentonville Prison