England: Ministry of Justice takes over G4S-run private prison in ‘appalling state’

The Ministry of Justice has taken over the running of HMP Birmingham from private contractor G4S amid serious concerns about safety and security.

The takeover, initially for six months, follows an extended period of engagement between HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and G4S in an attempt to drive up standards at the prison.

The latest report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons found the prison in “an appalling state” with high violence, widespread bullying, squalid living conditions and poor control by fearful staff, who suffered an arson attack on their supposedly secure car park during the inspection.

From today, the prison will be taken over by HMPPS in accordance with the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and as part of the contract with G4S.

An extra 30 prison officers will be deployed and the prison’s capacity will be temporarily reduced by 300 places.

However, the UK government has insisted there is no reason to intervene in the 13 other “good, privately-run prisons” in England and Wales.

Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said: “What we have seen at Birmingham is unacceptable and it has become clear that drastic action is required to bring about the improvements we require.

“This ‘step in’ means that we can provide additional resources to the prison while insulating the taxpayer from the inevitable cost this entails.

“We have good, privately-run prisons across the country and while Birmingham faces its own particular set of challenges, I am absolutely clear that it must start to live up to the standards seen elsewhere.”

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