7 days ago
Dozens of electric fans delivered to struggling prison to help lags cope with upcoming heatwave
The crumbling jail has two inmates to each cramped cell, leading to baking temperatures
FAN-DEMONIUM Dozens of electric fans delivered to struggling prison to help lags cope with upcoming heatwave
DOZENS of electric fans have been delivered to a struggling prison to help inmates cope with the upcoming heatwave.
The £17.50 devices arrived at Victorian HMP Bedford this week — with temperatures set to reach 31C this weekend.
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The crumbling prison has two inmates to each cramped cell, leading to baking temperatures in hot weather.
An inspection last year found filthy conditions, with calls for the jail to go into emergency measures.
The Category B prison holds some 420 men and has had a series of problems, with riots in 2016.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said conditions were 'some of the worst' he had seen.
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The Sun visited the site with the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood last year and saw piles of contraband vapes and cigarette packs, with the smell of cannabis present.
Wardens showed improvised weapons including loo brushes fitted with blades and toothbrushes melted to form spikes.
A Prison Service spokesman said: 'Fans can be purchased by prisoners using their own money.'
The Prison Watchdog this week warned that lags in Britain's jails are spending their sentences getting high and watching daytime TV.
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A menu of substances including cannabis, cocaine, and steroids is on offer, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor says.
Drones used by criminal gangs are so accurate that they can deliver drugs and weapons, such as zombie knives, directly to specific windows.
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