Attacks On Staff At HMP Gartree Reach Record High

Gartree Prison

Attacks on prison officers by inmates at HMP Gartree have reached record levels.

There were 81 incidents last year – a 33% increase on 2018 – and nearly four times the number in 2015.

The Independent Monitoring Board, which has released the figures in its annual report, says its deeply concerned at the level of violence used against staff and is urging the Governor to take all necessary measures to deal with it.

It says a gang culture which has developed inside the prison has escalated the problem, together with drug use amongst prisoners.

Tim Norman, chairman of The Independent Monitoring Board at Gartree, spoke to Hfm:

There were also 78 attacks by prisoners on other inmates.

The Board also says it is ‘dismayed’ at the deterioration of the fabric of the ageing prison, saying it is in urgent need of attention, with leaking roofs and unhygienic showers.

A Prison Service spokesperson told Hfm: “Searches using specialist sniffer dogs have already been stepped up at HMP Gartree and it will also receive a new x-ray body scanner to drive down violence and the flow of drugs.

“HMP Gartree has secured additional funding to make maintenance improvements, including roof repairs”