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Drug use and cell sharing 'still issues at Dartmoor Prison' | Drug use and cell sharing 'still issues at Dartmoor Prison' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Drug use and overcrowded cells remain unresolved issues at Dartmoor Prison, inspectors have said. | Drug use and overcrowded cells remain unresolved issues at Dartmoor Prison, inspectors have said. |
In its annual report, the prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) said it was "disappointed" some issues raised in previous reports had not been fully addressed. | |
But it also acknowledged that the Category C jail was considered safe with low rates of violence. | But it also acknowledged that the Category C jail was considered safe with low rates of violence. |
Despite a closure threat, it was also "business as usual" for staff, it said. | Despite a closure threat, it was also "business as usual" for staff, it said. |
Concerns included: | Concerns included: |
However, the board said there had been very few accidents or acts of violence recorded, and it was considered safe and well run. | However, the board said there had been very few accidents or acts of violence recorded, and it was considered safe and well run. |
It was also pleased substantial improvements had been made in prisoners attending work and education programmes. | It was also pleased substantial improvements had been made in prisoners attending work and education programmes. |
The prison's future is uncertain after the Ministry of Justice said last September it was in talks with Dartmoor's landlord, the Duchy of Cornwall, about the jail. | |
The ministry said then a final closure decision was "a long way off" because its lease had a 10-year notice period. | The ministry said then a final closure decision was "a long way off" because its lease had a 10-year notice period. |
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "As the IMB report acknowledges, Dartmoor is a safe and well-run prison that has progressed well in the past year. | |
"This report will now be considered fully by ministers, who will respond in due course." | |
The prison, currently able to hold 661 inmates, was originally built in 1809 to hold French and American prisoners of war. | The prison, currently able to hold 661 inmates, was originally built in 1809 to hold French and American prisoners of war. |
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