By Clare Jerrom, Reg McKay and Alex Dobson.
Two officers sacked over youth jail brutality
Two prison officers have been sacked for assaulting inmates at a youth jail.
Staff at Portland young offenders’ institution are alleged to have beaten and abused vulnerable inmates.
Lawyers representing the victims and penal reform groups renewed their calls yesterday for a full public inquiry into a string of brutality allegations at Portland, in Dorset, stretching over 14 years.
The prison service confirmed yesterday that two officers were dismissed after a disciplinary hearing held behind closed doors. The two officers are expected to appeal against the decision.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 27 June page 7
Fly the flag against racism, says minister
The British need to sustain their efforts to "reclaim the flag", begun during the golden jubilee, and World Cup, to see off the British National Party and the National Front, the home secretary said last night.
David Blunkett outlined an agenda for tackling racism in a speech to the Social Market Foundation and said "covert racism and glass ceilings" were "often the modern face of racism".
To confront "covert racism", Blunkett said it was necessary not only to tackle individual prejudice head on, but also combat the class inequalities faced by minority ethnic groups in jobs, housing, education, income and assets.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 27 June page 12
Thugs abuse boy who fights crime
A 12-year-old boy, who was praised by the home secretary for helping to fight crime, has been targeted by thugs days later.
Britain’s youngest neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, Nikki Blenkinsopp, was given a standing ovation when he addressed police and council officials on the scheme he operates in Southwick, Sunderland.
But earlier this week, a group of youths gathered outside his house and yelled threats and abuse. A brick was thrown through the window of his neighbour, who helps run the scheme.
Nikki and his grandmother, who he lives with, were said to be too shaken to talk about the incident yesterday.
Source:- Daily Telegraph Thursday 27 June page 7
Suspect hunted after teacher’s murder
A man with mental health problems was being sought last night following the murder of a teacher, who was found with her throat slashed on the side of a secluded path.
Hours after Hazel Prager’s body was found, Doraj Miah, aged 19, walked to a hospital for people with mental health problems, but was turned away.
Prager from north London, was visiting her parents in Barkingside, east London, and is thought to have been attacked on the path while returning from a swimming pool.
She had been indecently assaulted and was found almost naked by a cyclist, although clothing was tied around her neck.
Police discovered a blood stained knife nearby and "documentation" belonging to Miah, who had complained of hearing voices in his head when he went to St Clement’s Hospital, Bow, east London.
A post mortem examination was held last night to establish the exact cause of death.
Source:- Daily Telegraph Thursday 27 June page 7
New prison
Plans to build a jail for 500 inmates in Nottinghamshire were announced by the Prison Service last night.
Further planning applications are expected as the service tries to cope with a record jail population.
Source:- The Times Thursday 27 June page 10
Disabled supplies ‘in poor state’
Provision of equipment for older people and people with disabilities remains lamentable despite £220 million extra funding announced by ministers two years ago for the service, a public spending watchdog says today.
The Audit Commission reported in spring 2000 that equipment services for people with disabilities were wasteful, badly organised and provided some poor quality products. It now says little progress has been achieved in many of these areas.
It claims little money has reached the services and managers consistently complain that it seemed to have gone to higher priorities in the health service. Almost two thirds received no more last year, even though the money is supposed to be staggered over three years.
"There are one or two good news stories, but regrettably we discovered not much progress had been made," controller of the Audit Commission, Andrew Foster said.
"We now believe there is a case for consideration of radical change because it just does not seem to be delivering additional benefit to some of the most disabled people in society."
Source:- The Times Thursday 27 June page 12
Scottish newspapers
Supporting people guidance ‘discriminatory’
The Scottish executive’s guidance on supporting vulnerable people is discriminatory according to Glasgow council.
In a scathing report, the council said the 'Supporting People' guidance, due to be implemented on 1 April 2003, which differentiates between vulnerable people living in shared accommodation and those living elsewhere, is "seriously flawed".
The guidance says extra help will be provided to those living in shared accommodation such as hostels, but not to those living in 'mainstream' accommodation.
The council believes that it "effectively stops in its tracks" other key executive policies such as the 'Joint Futures' agenda. An executive spokesperson said they were aware of the initial problems, but that development had been an open process and the subject of wide consultation.
Source:- The Herald Thursday 27 June page 9
Social work head suspended
The head of social work for East Dunbartonshire council, Pam Fenton, has been suspended from work following a £1.4 million overspend in her department. The suspension came following an initial inquiry. There is no suggestion of fraud.
Source:- The Herald Thursday 27 June page 3
Welsh newspapers
Eyesore estate takes on new identity
A community which has a name synonymous with deprivation and crime is taking on a new identity.
The Gurnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil has a past marred by crime and disorder problems with one of the most notorious crimes - the unsolved arson attack that killed 21-year-old Diane Jones and her two children in 1995.
But now the estate is celebrating a rebirth with a number of projects aimed at regenerating the community, and improving the quality of life for the people living there.
A £500,000 grant from the Henry Smith charity has helped to establish the 'Busy Bee' family resource centre, run by the NSPCC ,which provides activities for mothers and their children with a crèche for working mothers and after-school activities for teenagers.
There is a successful crime reduction strategy in place and the Gurnos community workshops provide a clothing and furniture recycling centre, ceramics studio and computer suite that has contributed to the revitalisation of the community.
Source:- Western Mail Thursday 27 June page 8
