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20/08/2007
Prison Watchdog Concerned Over Court Cells
Serious concerns about housing prisoners in court cells during the height of the jail overcrowding crisis have been raised by prison watchdogs.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the policy of keeping inmates in court buildings for up to a whole weekend raised concerns for the safe and decent treatment of the prisoners.
Inspectors visited a court custody suite at west London magistrate court earlier in the year when hundreds of prisoners were being housed in court cells because all jails were full.
In a statement, Ms Owers and Inspector of Courts Administration Eddie Bloomfield said: "In spite of the considerable efforts of staff, this inspection raised serious concerns for the safe and decent treatment of prisoners.
"Court cells will never be an appropriate place to hold prisoners for anything but a short period, and the underlying message of this report is that they should not be used for overnight, still less weekend, stays.
"However, if such an emergency recurs it is essential that all the agencies responsible ensure that systems and procedures are in place to provide the maximum support at this vulnerable time."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said court cells were used as a "measure of last resort" when accommodation in prison and police cells was "exhausted".
It was confirmed that this last happened on June 20.
(CD/SP)
Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the policy of keeping inmates in court buildings for up to a whole weekend raised concerns for the safe and decent treatment of the prisoners.
Inspectors visited a court custody suite at west London magistrate court earlier in the year when hundreds of prisoners were being housed in court cells because all jails were full.
In a statement, Ms Owers and Inspector of Courts Administration Eddie Bloomfield said: "In spite of the considerable efforts of staff, this inspection raised serious concerns for the safe and decent treatment of prisoners.
"Court cells will never be an appropriate place to hold prisoners for anything but a short period, and the underlying message of this report is that they should not be used for overnight, still less weekend, stays.
"However, if such an emergency recurs it is essential that all the agencies responsible ensure that systems and procedures are in place to provide the maximum support at this vulnerable time."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said court cells were used as a "measure of last resort" when accommodation in prison and police cells was "exhausted".
It was confirmed that this last happened on June 20.
(CD/SP)
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