Concern Raised Over Rise In Violence & Deteriorating Infrastructure At Gartree Prison

A watchdog has raised concerns about an increase in violence and deteriorating infrastructure at Gartree Prison near Market Harborough.

The Independent Monitoring Board says there has been a ‘worrying’ increase in assaults by prisoners on staff, with 53 recorded in the past year, a rise of 10 on the previous 12 months.

Prisoner-on-prisoner attacks have also risen – up by 19 to 58.

The IMB also says it is ‘dismayed’ at the lack of progress on necessary repairs needed at the jail, describing the fabric of the building as ‘crumbling.’

Chair of the Board, Tim Norman spoke to HFM:

HMP Gartree

Concerns about an influx of drugs and other illegal items being smuggled in to the prison are also raised in the IMB’s annual report, which has been published today.

It says there continued to be an influx of drugs and other banned items such as phones, weapons, smoking paraphernalia and “hooch” – illegally brewed alcohol – getting into the jail and the prevalence of these items is linked to levels of debt, violence and bullying within Gartree.

The report also highlighted the increasing use of drones to attempt to deliver banned goods, but praised the work of staff at the prison.

A Prison Service spokesperson told HFM: “HMP Gartree has now begun refurbishment of several wings to improve conditions and our £100m investment into security measures across the estate including new X-ray scanners to detect contraband and weapons is helping to reduce violence at the prison.”