Looking For Prisoners Don’t Know Where They Were

According to recent inspection report unlocking and movement of prisoners was "poorly controlled and at times chaotic" and spot checks were unable to obtain an accurate account of where inmates were "because they were not monitored properly".

Inspectors have found high levels of violence and increasing levels of self-harm at Leicester prison.

Staff at the overcrowded jail did not always know where inmates were, a damning report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons also found.

It said "control and accountability" of those held at HMP Leicester was "very poor" - and there was a "very high" rate of assaults on staff.

Campaigners said the findings highlight the "catastrophic" impact of prison overcrowding, while the Government said it showed the need for reforms.

HMP Leicester held 325 male prisoners at the time of the inspection in September and October last year - 50% more than it was built for.

Inspectors said basic procedural security was "poor", adding: "Staff often could not account for prisoners and we routinely found prisoners where they were not supposed to be."

The prison had deteriorated since it was last examined in November 2013.

There were three times as many assaults as found in other local prisons.

The rate of attacks on staff was almost five times the average, while levels of self-harm had increased.

The report also said new psychoactive substances - so-called "legal highs" - were "too readily available", while alcohol was also an issue. 

It said conditions in the segregation unit were "terrible" and it should be closed.