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Prison damned as 'vermin-ridden' Prison damned as 'vermin-ridden'
(about 1 hour later)
London's busiest jail is "overrun with cockroaches" and has an "unusually high" number of assault allegations against staff, a report has said.London's busiest jail is "overrun with cockroaches" and has an "unusually high" number of assault allegations against staff, a report has said.
The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, also accused Pentonville of "institutional disrespect" of inmates.The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, also accused Pentonville of "institutional disrespect" of inmates.
The Prison Service said Pentonville's governor was taking a robust stance in dealing with prisoner complaints.The Prison Service said Pentonville's governor was taking a robust stance in dealing with prisoner complaints.
Another report has concluded Peterhead prison inmates are living in the worst conditions of any in Scotland.Another report has concluded Peterhead prison inmates are living in the worst conditions of any in Scotland.
The jail housing 300 sex offenders was said to be Scotland's only prison where slopping out was still usual practice.The jail housing 300 sex offenders was said to be Scotland's only prison where slopping out was still usual practice.
Drugs claimDrugs claim
Ms Owers' report on Pentonville was published following an unannounced inspection in June.Ms Owers' report on Pentonville was published following an unannounced inspection in June.
It revealed that 43% of prisoners - down from 64% in 2005 - said staff treated them with respect.It revealed that 43% of prisoners - down from 64% in 2005 - said staff treated them with respect.
The Pentonville of this report would be more in place in Hogarth's Gin Lane Juliet LyonPrison Reform Trust Jail 'Scotland's worst'
Allegations of victimisation rose from 29% to 40% over the same period.Allegations of victimisation rose from 29% to 40% over the same period.
Of 12 main recommendations made in a 2005 report, seven had not been achieved and another four had only partially been met.Of 12 main recommendations made in a 2005 report, seven had not been achieved and another four had only partially been met.
The new management team had inherited a prison with virtually no systems for making sure that prisoners got the basics they needed, and for managing and monitoring the behaviour of some staff Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers
This year's inspection also found 55% of prisoners said they felt unsafe and 42% claimed it was easy to obtain drugs.This year's inspection also found 55% of prisoners said they felt unsafe and 42% claimed it was easy to obtain drugs.
Ms Owers' report also said inmates at the prison in Islington, north London, lacked basic requirements such as pillows, while at times there was not enough food.Ms Owers' report also said inmates at the prison in Islington, north London, lacked basic requirements such as pillows, while at times there was not enough food.
"They found some improvements: prisoners were out of their cells more than they had been," Ms Owers told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"But we did find a deterioration in relationships with staff. I think what we did find was that the new management team had inherited a prison with virtually no systems for making sure that prisoners got the basics they needed, and for managing and monitoring the behaviour of some staff. "
She said her findings highlighted the scale of problems in "overcrowded and pressurised" local prisons.She said her findings highlighted the scale of problems in "overcrowded and pressurised" local prisons.
'Significant pressure' "What they were faced with is the rising prison population, the fact that they've no headroom, the fact they've got a hundred prisoners sometimes coming in a day.
"It's a very difficult environment in an old building in which to try to make the kind of changes Pentonville needs," Ms Owers said.
The Pentonville of this report would be more in place in Hogarth's Gin Lane Juliet LyonPrison Reform Trust Jail 'Scotland's worst'
Pentonville was said to be "overrun with cockroaches and vermin" caused by leftover meals and open flour sacks in the kitchen.Pentonville was said to be "overrun with cockroaches and vermin" caused by leftover meals and open flour sacks in the kitchen.
The Prison Service said Pentonville had been operating under "significant pressure" but had recently strengthened its senior management team.The Prison Service said Pentonville had been operating under "significant pressure" but had recently strengthened its senior management team.
"Pentonville now has a pest control programme in place," a spokeswoman said."Pentonville now has a pest control programme in place," a spokeswoman said.
Food occasionally runs out due to poor portion control but no prisoner goes without a meal, she added.Food occasionally runs out due to poor portion control but no prisoner goes without a meal, she added.
Juliet Lyon, of the Prison Reform Trust, called on the home secretary to consider closing Pentonville as it was "not fit for purpose".Juliet Lyon, of the Prison Reform Trust, called on the home secretary to consider closing Pentonville as it was "not fit for purpose".
She added: "The Pentonville of this report would be more in place in Hogarth's Gin Lane than Islington today."She added: "The Pentonville of this report would be more in place in Hogarth's Gin Lane than Islington today."
'High marks''High marks'
The Scottish inspectorate's report on Peterhead noted there had still been no announcement on its future following a 2005 consultation.The Scottish inspectorate's report on Peterhead noted there had still been no announcement on its future following a 2005 consultation.
Dr Andrew McLellan also warned sending Peterhead's sex offender inmates back into the community without preparatory supervision in the community "is not a good recipe for safety".Dr Andrew McLellan also warned sending Peterhead's sex offender inmates back into the community without preparatory supervision in the community "is not a good recipe for safety".
The future of Peterhead Prison remains unclearThe future of Peterhead Prison remains unclear
However, he said relationships between staff and prisoners were good.However, he said relationships between staff and prisoners were good.
Positives also included the fact that drug use was very limited and that food and visiting arrangements consistently received high marks from prisoners.Positives also included the fact that drug use was very limited and that food and visiting arrangements consistently received high marks from prisoners.
The report said a large number of complaints were made by a small number of prisoners.The report said a large number of complaints were made by a small number of prisoners.
Members of the Scottish Parliament have been told slopping out could cost nearly £60m in legal claims following a test case which found the practice was a breach of prisoners' human rights.Members of the Scottish Parliament have been told slopping out could cost nearly £60m in legal claims following a test case which found the practice was a breach of prisoners' human rights.
The Scottish Prison Service say ending slopping out at Peterhead is not a cost-effective option given the age and structure of the Victorian building.The Scottish Prison Service say ending slopping out at Peterhead is not a cost-effective option given the age and structure of the Victorian building.