Government takes over control of Birmingham prison from G4S
Security firm G4S has been stripped of its contract to run a major prison after an inspection found conditions at the facility had slipped into a "state of crisis".
The Ministry of Justice said it will take on the running of HMP Birmingham for a six-month period after an inspection found "squalid" conditions at the prison, as blood, urine and vomit were left in cells and corridors, attracting cockroaches.
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The review also said prisoners at HMP Birmingham were able to use drugs and alcohol freely at the facility.
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.
The report by the chief inspector of prisons added that conditions in the prison had deteriorated dramatically in the last year and a half, as staff locked themselves in offices and let prisoners stay in charge of the wings.
As part of the government's takeover, a new governor, and more staff will be put in place, while 300 prisoners will be transferred to other sites.
G4S admitted the prison faced "exceptional challenges".
"The well-being and safety of prisoners and prison staff is our key priority and we welcome the six month step-in and the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Justice to urgently address the issues faced at the prison," it said.
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