Refurbishment work at Gartree Prison

Refurbishment work is underway at Gartree Prison after inspectors raised concerns about conditions there.

They also called for more to be done to tackle illegal items getting to inmates.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons found buildings at the jail near Market Harborough were in ‘a state of disrepair’ when they carried out an unannounced inspection earlier this year, saying the prison environment was ‘poor’ and communal areas were ‘dirty’.

Inspectors also found too many illicit items – including drugs – were getting onto wings and further action was needed to tackle the problem.

The Prison Service says the refurbishment of several wings is now taking place to improve conditions and it is investing in tough security measures, including X-ray body scanners, to stop drugs, weapons and phones getting into the jail.