Crowding 'delays jail's progress'

Wandsworth prison has 1,460 inmates

Attempts to tackle serious problems at the UK's largest jail are being hampered by overcrowding, according to a watchdog.

Inspectors saw "poor" and "abusive" behaviour by staff towards inmates in Wandsworth jail in south London.

The chief inspector of prisons said the jail had improved but still had a long way to go because of its population.

Earlier this month ministers ordered the national use of police cells as prisons approached capacity.

In the report, Anne Owers, the chief inspector of prisons, said the Category B jail with 1,400 inmates had suffered a history of overcrowding and poor prisoner-staff relations.

In her last report, she had warned conditions were deteriorating despite inspectors' warnings.

But her team had now seen a committed management team bring about change in extremely difficult circumstances.

Abuse witnessed

But during the unannounced visit in July, the team found half of the inmates they interviewed complained of being victimised by staff - twice the national average.

Some 12% said they had been hit, kicked or assaulted. One of the inspectors witnessed an officer abusing a prisoner during the visit, said Ms Owers.

The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons Life inside Wandsworth

Black and Asian prisoners were found to be more likely to complain of ill treatment but few of those complaints resulted in action by senior management.

This was concerning, said Ms Owers, given that four in 10 inmates were from ethnic minorities.

Some 41% of incidents of self-harm during April and May were by foreign national prisoners, and officers needed to improve procedures for dealing with suicide attempts, said the report.

Progress recognised

Making 160 recommendations, Ms Owers said Wandsworth should be considered "an improving prison" - but also a jail with a "significant way to go".

OPERATION SAFEGUARD Contingency plan for prison overcrowding Activated 9 October Prison population approx 79,900 Police cells used for inmates Cell plan to ease crisis

"The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure and the approach and attitude of some staff," said Ms Owers.

"But the gains already made in some areas of the prison provide evidence of what can and what needs to be achieved."

Cleanliness, hygiene and food had been improved and prisoners were now spending more time out of their cells compared with the previous report.

Arrangements for first night arrivals and induction were also praised by Ms Owers.

Phil Wheatley, director general of the Prison Service, said he was pleased Ms Owers' team had acknowledged improvements at Wandsworth.

"The governor and management are continuing to ensure that staff behave appropriately at all times and that a robust approach is being taken with those who fail to maintain high standards.

"Wandsworth is also looking at ways it can provide further opportunities for work and education for prisoners."