A leaked memo has revealed that government ministers have signed a deal with a private company to build 200 bail hostels, but local residents and councillors will not be consulted on their location. The memo advises local authorities that councillors and residents will not be notified of the plans until they have been approved, and
HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight has been described as a ‘troubled institute’ by the chief inspector of prisons after a report found a litany of problems. One disabled prisoner was unable to wash property for more than a year because staff refused to take him to the showers, while for another disabled offender
A report commissioned by the Howard League for Penal Reform has called for a reduction in the number of prisoners and the closing of some jails. The report said that prison and probation funding should be diverted to tackling the causes of crime, and suggested that short-term prison sentences be replaced with community-based responses. The