This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-46427754

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Birmingham Prison: Inspection reveals 'zombie warzone' Birmingham Prison: Inspection reveals 'zombie warzone'
(about 11 hours later)
Inmates at troubled Birmingham Prison were "walking around like zombies, high on Spice" in an environment likened to a warzone, inspectors have said.Inmates at troubled Birmingham Prison were "walking around like zombies, high on Spice" in an environment likened to a warzone, inspectors have said.
More details have been revealed about the "appalling" conditions uncovered at the jail this summer, which led to the government taking it over from G4S.More details have been revealed about the "appalling" conditions uncovered at the jail this summer, which led to the government taking it over from G4S.
Just 12 of 70 recommendations made by inspectors in 2017 had been met when they returned unannounced in July.Just 12 of 70 recommendations made by inspectors in 2017 had been met when they returned unannounced in July.
G4S said it continued to work with the Ministry of Justice.G4S said it continued to work with the Ministry of Justice.
Inspectors said they found "drug taking was barely concealed" at the category B jail, where three "likely" drug-related deaths had occurred since the last inspection.Inspectors said they found "drug taking was barely concealed" at the category B jail, where three "likely" drug-related deaths had occurred since the last inspection.
Spice, a former "legal high", and other similar drug compounds have been previously highlighted as being available in the prison.Spice, a former "legal high", and other similar drug compounds have been previously highlighted as being available in the prison.
"We witnessed many prisoners under the influence of drugs and some openly using and trafficking drugs around the prison," inspectors reported."We witnessed many prisoners under the influence of drugs and some openly using and trafficking drugs around the prison," inspectors reported.
"Incidents involving new psychoactive substances (NPS) were routine and we often smelt cannabis on the wings."Incidents involving new psychoactive substances (NPS) were routine and we often smelt cannabis on the wings.
"Shockingly, staff were too often ambivalent and accepting of such incidents.""Shockingly, staff were too often ambivalent and accepting of such incidents."
The deaths are still under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.The deaths are still under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Other findings:Other findings:
Following the government takeover, a new governor was appointed, 300 prisoners were removed and 30 extra staff were drafted in.Following the government takeover, a new governor was appointed, 300 prisoners were removed and 30 extra staff were drafted in.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke called for an independent assessment "as to how HMP Birmingham descended into appalling, chaotic conditions" between inspections.Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke called for an independent assessment "as to how HMP Birmingham descended into appalling, chaotic conditions" between inspections.
He said the challenges still facing the prison were "huge" and the recommendations remained in place.He said the challenges still facing the prison were "huge" and the recommendations remained in place.
The prison's independent monitoring board said some of the report's criticisms were linked to part of the jail being opened too quickly after a riot in December 2016 because of "commercial pressures" and a rise in inmates.The prison's independent monitoring board said some of the report's criticisms were linked to part of the jail being opened too quickly after a riot in December 2016 because of "commercial pressures" and a rise in inmates.
"Re-opening without CCTV on those wings, and with various services not fully functioning and with limited access to education facilities did not assist in provision of a safe stable environment for the men in the prison," chairman Roger Swindells said."Re-opening without CCTV on those wings, and with various services not fully functioning and with limited access to education facilities did not assist in provision of a safe stable environment for the men in the prison," chairman Roger Swindells said.
He said it was "now the time to allow the governor the space to focus on the improvements needed".He said it was "now the time to allow the governor the space to focus on the improvements needed".
Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said decisive action had been taken to improve safety and conditions and a thorough investigation had helped to understand the causes, and prevent a similar situation happening again.Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said decisive action had been taken to improve safety and conditions and a thorough investigation had helped to understand the causes, and prevent a similar situation happening again.
A "close eye" was being kept on progress, he added.A "close eye" was being kept on progress, he added.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.