Watchdog warns of ‘potential 
loss of control’ after cuts at jail

A new report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at Full Sutton Prison says the jail has already had to take radical action to save money and claims three more years of austerity will make it increasingly difficult to maintain future security and stability.

It also warns that the scale of budget cuts needed could also lead to increased tensions within the prison, near York.

The IMB highlights concerns that there are already tensions between Muslim prisoners and others at the jail.

It says some Muslim prisoners at Full Sutton believe there is a prejudice against them while some prisoners of other faiths have complained that Muslims are favoured.

Its overall conclusion is that the prison continues to be well managed.

However the report to the Secretary of State for Justice says: “The board ask the Minister to note its view that there may well come a time when the implementation of cuts in services and facilities will lead to a potential loss of control making the prison unsafe for both staff and prisoners.”

The report says a reply to this point is sought from the Government.

It adds: “The board is impressed with the progress made by the prison especially as during the last year the organisation has had to take radical, and potentially destabilising, measures to achieve very steep financial savings targets.

“Costs have reduced by 5.1 per cent and the board is very concerned that despite this the governor now has to find a further four per cent (£1.1m) savings during 2013/14.

“Despite the fact that Full Sutton has been noted as the most expensive prison in the high 
security estate the board is pessimistic that such savings can be found without significantly eroding the welfare of the people in custody. The board will continue to monitor progress on this key issue vigorously.”

Full Sutton holds 600 category A and B prisoners who are all serving long sentences in high security conditions.

The IMB says that in general these prisoners are managed in the normal accommodation wings, and praises staff that only a small number of inmates have to be placed in a specialist segregation unit.

Their report does warn, however, that some prisoners are based in the segregation unit for more than six months at a time.

It says that “it is frequently the case” that prisoners refuse to relocate onto the regular wings as they fear for their safety.

The report adds: “The board speculates that the increase in the number of Muslim prisoners at Full Sutton and the tensions between them and other prisoners often exacerbates this problem.”

The board says there has been a positive effort my prison management to meet the legitimate concerns of Muslim prisoners. But it adds: “There is still a perception among some Muslim prisoners that there is a prejudice against them and that they do not receive the same treatment of prisoners of other faiths. However prisoners of other faiths have complained that their needs are neglected and that Muslim prisoners are favoured.”

The IMB at Full Sutton consists of 12 members appointed from a wide variety of backgrounds by the Secretary of State for Justice to act independently as “the eyes and ears of ministers and the general public.”

They have unlimited access to the prison and check the day-to day running of the organisation and the treatment of prisoners.