Pubdate: Mon, 17 Jan 2005
Source: Liverpool Daily Post (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Liverpool Daily Post
Contact:  http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3205

DRUG WAR RAGES IN PRISON

FEUDING drug gangs have sparked a wave of violence inside Liverpool Prison, 
a damning government report revealed last night.

Bullying and intimidation were rife and many parts of the building were 
deemed unsafe by prison inspectors.

In a two-month spell, 73 assaults were recorded at the Walton prison. The 
number of prisoners claiming they were at risk of attack also doubled in 
ten months.

And drug taking was widespread, with more than 30% of mandatory tests 
proving positive.

Last month, the Daily Post revealed more than #150,000-worth of illegal 
substances thrown into the prison grounds had been seized. Smugglers used 
crossbows to fire contraband over the perimeter walls.

Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: "This report reveals two 
fundamental problems that needed to be addressed urgently.

"The first was the accessibility of drugs, and the need to improve all 
aspects of security.

"The second was the need for all staff to develop skills, and assume 
responsibilities, for managing prisoners who are not locked behind their 
doors most of the time.

"We found examples, on some wings and in some areas of work, that staff had 
risen to challenges and were working positively and with enthusiasm.

"But this needs to be the case throughout the prison, if it is to function 
safely, and support the developing training and resettlement work."

An inspection of the category B prison, in September last year, revealed 
93% of prisoners on one wing, holding the most vulnerable prisoners, said 
they had felt unsafe.

Staff reported daily incidents of bullying among prisoners and some inmates 
were afraid to come out of their cells for association time.

Most prisoners told inspectors it was easy, or very easy, to get illegal drugs.

Inspectors also spotted cleaners answering prisoners' cell alarm bells, and 
switching off access to in-cell television.

The inspection found the prison had made some improvements since its last 
assessment.

Basic hygiene requirements were met and healthcare had improved.

Work and education provision were better but still did not met targets, 
with almost 40% of inmates not working.

Gary Thurgood, from the prison, said: "The gang problem reached its 
pinnacle in December.

"A lot of the people that control the drug flow in Liverpool were inside 
the prison and they moved their business inside.

"The incident last year with the crossbows was one of the largest amounts 
we have seized.

"But things have improved since the inspection, it was only telling us what 
we already knew.

"This report isn't good, I would be the first to say that, but the 
inspection happened just as we were setting up ways of tackling the problems.

"We cannot completely stop drugs but we have reduced the problem a lot and 
are catching more than ever."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth