Fire risk opens doors for inmates

Prisoners in wooden jail units  have been given their own keys to get in and out because of fire risk, a report by the National Audit Office has found.

The report says the units were plagued by problems, such as leaking roofs and windows, because of “rushed through” design and construction. Many of the units have plasterboard walls and the windows do not have bars. They were built to meet the demand for extra prison accommodation.

The report also found that the National Offender Management Service is failing to monitor disruption to prisoners’ education caused by overcrowding in prisons.