All news on the topic: Prisons

572
UK reviews early release plan after backlash over rapists
Rapists could be banned from getting an early release from prison under plans being considered by the Prime Minister, it has been reported.
718
Reoffending reaches record high after Labour’s early prison release scheme
Reoffending has hit a record high following the release of more than 70,000 convicted criminals under Labour’s scheme to combat jail overcrowding.
448
British prison rewards inmates with burgers and curries for avoiding violence
Winners of a violence-reduction competition will be treated to fakeaways in a women’s prison, according to a new report.
500
“He wants to let them all out”: disgraceful hot mic joke by Labour ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood
Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood have landed in hot water after they were caught on a hot mic joking about Labour’s early prison release scheme.
671
Prisoners exposed showing luxury prison cells on social media with TVs, consoles and contraband phones
Prisoners are flaunting cells on social media which look more like student digs than a jail – complete with TVs, games consoles and cupboards crammed with food.
704
More than 5,400 offenders escape electronic tagging despite court orders
Thousands of criminals who were supposed to be electronically tagged are not having the devices fitted in a major new scandal.
713
Amber Rudd to lead major review of prison security as UK cracks down on drugs, drones and corruption
The government has announced it will launch a "major" new examination into the security of prisons in England and Wales.
530
Scotland’s criminal courts buckle under soaring backlog driven by organised crime and historic abuse trials
The backlog of trials in Scotland’s highest criminal courts has nearly tripled, due in part to an increase in complex cases involving serious organized crime and historic sex abuse.
754
Inmate from HMP Wandsworth exposes chaos and corruption in British prison following sex scandal involving guard Linda De Sousa Abreu
Linton Weirich, who was at HMP Wandsworth, spoke out to expose corruption, saying: “Officers don’t run jails any more — prisoners do.”
802
Russia holds freed Ukrainian ex-prisoners in indefinite legal limbo after prison release
After being released from prisons in Russia, Ukrainian citizens are indefinitely kept in practical captivity.
597
From prisons to private firms: how Russian governors Artamonov and Malkov enforced Kremlin-imposed military recruitment targets
Reports that the Kremlin assigns monthly recruitment targets to regional governors are gaining further confirmation, with new evidence suggesting that officials are under pressure to deliver a set number of contract soldiers.
694
42 UK prisons under investigation after staff and inmates exposed to deadly radon gas
There are concerns that hundreds more inmates and staff may have been exposed to hazardous levels of cancer-causing gas, with the Ministry of Justice now investigating 42 prison and probation sites, The Independent can reveal.
759
Ruth López, Alejandro Henríquez, and José Ángel Pérez criminalized under El Salvador’s extended state of exception
Amnesty International warns that the state of exception extended by the government and reforms to the penal system have undermined the rule of law in El Salvador.
974
Elderly, children, and the sick among thousands jailed without trial in Israel
Only one in four detainees from Gaza are identified as fighters by Israel’s military intelligence, classified data indicates, with civilians making up the vast majority of Palestinians held without charge or trial in abusive prisons.
870
Government to scrap most short prison sentences and introduce Texas-style early release scheme
Legislation that includes a Texas-style scheme to reduce jail time is expected to be introduced this year
959
Three deaths in one week spark alarm over Tunisia’s prison conditions
Three fatalities in Tunisian prisons within one week in July have alarmed rights groups about prison conditions and alleged mistreatment, leading to urgent appeals for government investigations.
765
R. Kelly hospitalized after overdose in prison — attorneys blame staff
Disgraced rapper R. Kelly has been taken to hospital after ’overdosing’ in prison, with the rapper’s legal team alleging that prison staff may be to blame.
956
Briton jailed for 17 years for rape he didn’t commit: acquitted man fights for system reform
Andrew Malkinson, 59, spent 17 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of rape. His conviction was overturned in 2023, but he says his fight for justice is not over.
1090
Teachers, doctors and prison staff to get 4% raise: government approves new salary bonuses
The government has announced a number of public sector salary boosts, including a 4% pay rise for teachers and doctors.
751
Controversial initiative: UK plans chemical castration for sex offenders and reduced prison sentences
The review has been criticised by some, including the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales. "The government will be sending a clear message to domestic abusers that they can now offend with little consequence," Nicole Jacobs said.
980
“Suppositories” in prisons: France seizes thousands of micro-phones used to run drug trade
“Thumb phones” smuggled into French prisons—sometimes concealed inside visitors—are used to run criminal networks facilitating drug trafficking, money laundering, and even murder.
1261
Scandals in British prisons: dozens of female guards convicted over sexual relationships with inmates
As guard Cherri-Ann Austin-Saddington was given a suspended sentence after ’artificially inseminating’ herself with her prison lover’s sperm, the Mirror takes a look at other shocking staff-prisoner flings
965
Prison attack: inmate slashes guard’s throat at HMP Woodhill
A prison guard has had their throat slashed by an inmate in the latest surge of violence behind bars.
849
UK considers building “supermax” prisons as jails struggle with wave of violence
Britain could see the introduction of US-style "supermax" prisons as a response to a wave of violent episodes among inmates, the prisons minister has announced.
1027
New UK law: criminals who refuse to attend sentencing to face extra two years in prison
Under a new bill introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, criminals in England and Wales who refuse to attend their sentencing could face up to two additional years in prison.