21 February 2003
Holloway prison in north London continues to have a 'grossly inadequate' regime, despite showing signs of a commitment to tackle its problems, according to the latest report from inspectors.
Anne Owers, the chief inspector of prisons, said little attention was paid to vulnerable young girls who, while on remand, were forced to share cells with adult offenders.
Owers said: 'We cannot carry on holding difficult and damaged children in situations where they are likely to be further damaged.'
The Youth Justice Board has pledged to remove all girls below the age of 16 from prisons. They will be placed in secure training centres by the end of this year.
Staff turnover and shortages remained a severe failing at Holloway, while the report also criticised poor sanitation, cockroach infestation in parts of the jail and cancelled classes.
However, Owers praised some parts of the jail, including its programmes in drug detoxification, psychology, its support of foreign nationals and the work of chaplains.
'The main cause for optimism that conditions and treatment of women prisoners would at last be significantly improved came from the determination demonstrated by the Prison Service to deal with Holloway's problems in a way that has not been attempted for a considerable time,' the report said.
Martin Narey, director general of the Prison Service, said he believed Holloway was 'on the mend'.
PFfeb2003
