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Drugs 'hold back' jail's progress Drugs 'hold back' jail's progress
(about 1 hour later)
Drug dealing and bullying continue to be a problem at one of the UKs biggest prisons, an inspection report reveals. Drug dealing and bullying continue to be a problem at one of the UK's biggest prisons, an inspection report reveals.
But Liverpool Prison is "finally" progressing even though it is hampered by an overcrowded penal system, the Chief Inspector of Prisons said.But Liverpool Prison is "finally" progressing even though it is hampered by an overcrowded penal system, the Chief Inspector of Prisons said.
Anne Owers's report - from an unannounced inspection - also shows that up to 400 inmates are in their cells at any one time.Anne Owers's report - from an unannounced inspection - also shows that up to 400 inmates are in their cells at any one time.
However, there have been improvements in race relations and healthcare.However, there have been improvements in race relations and healthcare.
Despite becoming safer, and more support being offered to inmates, the report showed drug supply remains a problem and anti-bullying work "was ineffective".Despite becoming safer, and more support being offered to inmates, the report showed drug supply remains a problem and anti-bullying work "was ineffective".
Liverpool is a microcosm of an overcrowded and under-resourced prison system Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of PrisonsLiverpool is a microcosm of an overcrowded and under-resourced prison system Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons
"[But] this inspection clearly records progress," said Ms Owers."[But] this inspection clearly records progress," said Ms Owers.
"That is evident in the fact that Liverpool has improved against all four of our tests - safety, respect, purposeful activity and resettlement."That is evident in the fact that Liverpool has improved against all four of our tests - safety, respect, purposeful activity and resettlement.
"But the scale of the task is evident in the fact that the prison is, nevertheless, still not performing sufficiently well against two of those tests - safety and activity.""But the scale of the task is evident in the fact that the prison is, nevertheless, still not performing sufficiently well against two of those tests - safety and activity."
She said there were still "challenging tasks" to turn things around at a large prison by achieving "internal change against constant external pressure".She said there were still "challenging tasks" to turn things around at a large prison by achieving "internal change against constant external pressure".
'Challenging tasks''Challenging tasks'
"Liverpool is a microcosm of an overcrowded and under-resourced prison system," she added."Liverpool is a microcosm of an overcrowded and under-resourced prison system," she added.
Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said the report shows the prison is making "great strides".Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said the report shows the prison is making "great strides".
"As the inspectorate says, in spite of the progress made, there is still more to do and the governor and staff at Liverpool will continue to work together to further improve the prison," he said."As the inspectorate says, in spite of the progress made, there is still more to do and the governor and staff at Liverpool will continue to work together to further improve the prison," he said.
The report showed that although the amount and quality of activities for inmates had improved, only one third had access to opportunities that provide employment skills or qualifications.The report showed that although the amount and quality of activities for inmates had improved, only one third had access to opportunities that provide employment skills or qualifications.