Nacro comments on the report by the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons concerning the inadequate state of Bedford prison.
People were found to be living in filthy conditions, infected with rats and cockroaches as well as the prison seeing high levels of violence and self harm.
Nacro chief executive, Campbell Robb, says: “The deplorable conditions at HMP Bedford shine a spotlight on a broken prison system. A system which takes already vulnerable people with complex lives and further traumatises them. What hope do people have of dealing with their issues and turning their lives around living in circumstances such as these?”
“The sad truth is that many prisons across the country are in the same unacceptable state as Bedford – something the chief inspector also recognises. Prison buildings are falling apart, there is chronic overcrowding and people are not getting the vital support they need to build their lives back. The Government needs to urgently address the crisis in prisons so they become a place of rehabilitation as well as punishment and in turn create a safer society for everyone.”
You can find the full report here for more information.