Concerns Raised About Violence At Gartree

Violence within Gartree Prison remains a serious concern, with staff shortages being blamed.

Those are the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board, who have just published their latest report.

There were 61 assaults on prison staff last year – three times the number in 2015 and 79 prisoners injured, after being attacked by other inmates, an increase of 40 on 2017.

The report found a lack of staff meant frequent wing ‘lock-downs’ where prisoners would be confined to cells for long periods of time creating unrest.

Tim Norman, Chair of the IMB at Gartree spoke to Hfm:

The report also raises concerns about the availability of illegal drugs among inmates and a growing trend of illicitly brewed alcohol.

The Prison Service has told HFM that in difficult difficult circumstances, the Governor at Gartree is working hard to reduce violence and improve the well-being for prisoners and regular and thorough cell searches with the help of search dogs to stop the use of contraband.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “All prison officers are fitted with body worn cameras with the most violent prisoners being given one to one support to help manage their behaviour. Work is ongoing to identify and support those offenders at risk of self-harm.”