Latest news with #prisonconditions
Zawya
a day ago
- Health
- Zawya
Improvements in prison conditions long overdue in remote Liet-Nhom
Overcrowded cells, no ablution facilities, a lack of water—these are only some of the challenges that prisoners and officials face in Liet-Nhom Central Prison. 'We literally do not have a roof over our heads,' says Bedaj Bandak, a prison official, to a visiting team from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). 'We also don't have running water, so inmates have no choice but to go to the rivers and the lack of toilets and bathrooms makes matters worse,' he adds. These alarming conditions not only prevent the incarcerated from having a dignified existence but also pose a strong security risk—with this much movement it's impossible for the limited number of prison guards to effectively keep their wards in check. This lack of 24-hour surveillance poses additional risks to juvenile detainees and women serving their sentences. Furthermore, prison cells are overpopulated with more than 20 people sharing a single cell. This, coupled with the lack of toilets and water, has created severe hygiene and sanitation issues, leading most prisoners to spend their time outdoors, separated by nothing but air. 'We live in constant fear of everything, including getting sick as there is no healthcare available at the prison,' shares one of the female inmates. In case they do get sick, which is unavoidable, they do get taken to the local healthcare facilities but only if there are enough cars and personnel available. For its part, UNMISS continues to advocate with state authorities to provide long-overdue support, especially as the rainy season starts bringing with it further health risks such as malaria. Precious Chinamasa, a Corrections Officer with the UN Peacekeeping mission on her frequent visits here bears witness to the continuous decline of human rights standards at the facility. 'Similar conditions prevail in many prisons across South Sudan,' she reveals, visibly moved. 'It's heartbreaking to witness these struggles and we'll continue advocating with authorities to strengthen their support to the prison system. To truly reform and reintegrate into society upon their release, prisoners must be treated humanely and with dignity. There must be a collective push to strengthen infrastructure and prisons management.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
'Cockroach-infested' Pentonville Prison illegally detains inmates
A cockroach-infested prison that illegally detained inmates for longer than their release date in "frightening conditions" has been put into special inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor served an urgent notification on HMP Pentonville in Islington, north London, after an inspection discovered many inmates had been kept there after they should have been freed because staff "failed to calculate sentences accurately".The watchdog said data showed 130 inmates, 20% of those eligible for release, had been held after their release date in the past six Minister for Prisons, Lord Timpson, said: "The team is already working to urgently address the concerns raised." "We will publish an action plan in the coming weeks to support them in these efforts," he said. 'Shocking failures' The watchdog also found 10 inmates had been released early "in error" between July 2024 and June a letter to the justice secretary, the chief inspector said arrangements for new prisoners' induction and first night at the jail were "chaotic and even frightening".Men were held in dirty cells missing bedding, furniture, telephones and pillows, the watchdog said, while the majority of prisoners were locked in their cells for more than 22 hours a report also said 60% of prisoners at the Category B prison were sharing cells that were designed for one person, and there was a widespread infestation of mice and took emergency action after they found oversight of prisoners under constant supervision was "shockingly poor". One prison officer was found asleep, two were reading books and another was "completely absent".The "unacceptable practices" in the care of prisoners under constant supervision was a particular concern for inspectors, given that there were three suicides at the jail in 2025. 'Rallying cry' Mr Taylor said: "Pentonville is an overcrowded, inner-city, Victorian prison with a record of poor performance over many years."Too many of its staff have become disillusioned about the possibility of improvement or their capacity to effect change."Yet many of its shocking failures are firmly within the control of leaders."He added: "The governor will need significant support and investment from HM Prison and Probation Service to strengthen his senior leadership team, refocus on the basics and put in place effective oversight and assurance systems to turn this failing prison around." Pentonville is the 10th prison to be issued with an urgent notification since November response to the chief inspector's findings, a Prison Reform Trust spokesperson said: "This urgent notification must be a rallying cry for immediate action – fix the failing infrastructure, improve staff training, and treat prisoners with dignity."Lord Timpson added: "This government will end the chaos we inherited in our jails. We are building 14,000 new prison places and reforming sentencing so our jails reduce reoffending, cut crime and keep victims safe."
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Cockroach-infested jail put into special measures for illegally detaining prisoners
A cockroach-infested jail which illegally detained prisoners for longer than their release date has been put into special measures by a watchdog. An urgent notification on HMP Pentonville, in north London, has been served by Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor after an inspection discovered many inmates have been kept in prison after they should have been freed because staff 'failed to calculate sentences accurately'. The watchdog said data from the prison showed 130 inmates – 20 per cent of those eligible for release – had been held illegally after their release date in the last six months. The backlog in sentencing calculations also meant 10 prisoners had been released early 'in error' between July 2024 and June 2025. In a letter to the Justice Secretary, the chief inspector said arrangements for new prisoners' first night at the north London jail and induction were 'chaotic and even frightening'. Men were held in dirty cells missing bedding, furniture, telephones and pillows, the watchdog said, while the majority of prisoners were locked in their cells for more than 22 hours a day. The report also said 60% of prisoners were sharing cells that were designed for one person, many living areas were dirty and there was a widespread infestation of mice and cockroaches. Inspectors took emergency action after they found care of vulnerable prisoners under constant supervision was 'shockingly poor', with one prison officer found asleep, two were reading books and another was 'completely absent'. The 'unacceptable practices' in looking after these prisoners, deemed at serious risk of self-harm, were a particular concern for inspectors given three suicides at the jail in 2025. Mr Taylor said: 'Pentonville is an overcrowded, inner-city, Victorian prison with a record of poor performance over many years. 'Too many of its staff have become disillusioned about the possibility of improvement or their capacity to affect change. Yet many of its shocking failures are firmly within the control of leaders. 'The governor will need significant support and investment from HM Prison and Probation Service to strengthen his senior leadership team, re-focus on the basics, and put in place effective oversight and assurance systems to turn this failing prison around.' A survey of prisoners also revealed 44% told inspectors they felt unsafe at the time of inspection, which the watchdog said was the highest figure recorded during his tenure as chief inspector. Pentonville is the 10th prison to be issued with an urgent notification since November 2022, following Exeter, Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution, Woodhill, Bedford, Wandsworth, Rochester, Manchester and Winchester prisons. The emergency measure was introduced in 2017 as a way to raise immediate concerns following an inspection, which requires a response and action plan by the Justice Secretary within 28 days. Elsewhere, the inspector's report also found when releases were planned, 23% of those prisoners were homeless on the day they were released, and very few had employment on release. Reacting to the urgent notification, Prison Reform Trust chief executive Pia Sinha said: 'Prisoners illegally held after they should have been released, or others released early in error, further undermine effective sentence planning and erode public confidence. 'This urgent notification must be a rallying cry for immediate action – fix the failing infrastructure, improve staff training, and treat prisoners with dignity.' Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the findings of the inspection were 'outrageous' and represent a 'new low' for an overcrowded public service on the brink of collapse. He added: 'While the Government inherited a dire state of affairs in prisons, it has had more than a year to bring about change. 'As report cards go, such a dire account of dysfunction in Pentonville instils little confidence that ministers have a grip of the situation.' Prisons minister Lord James Timpson said he visited the prison on Thursday, where the team is already working to urgently address the concerns raised by the chief inspector. An action plan will also be published in the coming weeks to support the efforts. Lord Timpson said: 'This Government will end the chaos we inherited in our jails. 'We are building 14,000 new prison places and reforming sentencing so our jails reduce reoffending, cut crime, and keep victims safe.'
Al Mayadeen
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Al Mayadeen's Nasser al-Lahham held in life-threatening conditions
Palestinian journalist and chief of Al Mayadeen's Palestine bureau is being denied proper care and is being held in life-threatening conditions in Ofer Prison, the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and ex-Detainees said in a statement published on Sunday. "Nasser al-Lahham, a 60-year-old prisoner with heart conditions, is being held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at Ofer Prison. He is permitted just 10 minutes outside his cell each day," the statement said. The commission emphasized that al-Lahham suffers from severe cardiac issues and has six stents in his heart, yet is being kept in life-threatening conditions. The statement detailed that al-Lahham is currently detained in Section 21, Cell 19 of Ofer Prison, where prisoners endure severely overcrowded conditions, inadequate food, and outbreaks of skin infections, all while being denied proper medical attention. This comes after "Israel" announced it will extend the detention of Al Mayadeen chief Nasser al-Lahham until next Tuesday, following his arbitrary detention on July 7. "The occupation is attempting to fabricate new charges against our colleague Nasser al-Lahham," Shawan Jabarin, Director of Al-Haq, told Al Mayadeen, adding that "it appears the occupation is pushing for al-Lahham's administrative detention, an arbitrary measure meant to silence dissent." Jabarin informed Al Mayadeen that Israeli authorities are attempting to manufacture a list of charges against Nasser Lahham, and his administrative detention resembles "fighting with the wind." Al Mayadeen Media Network issued a strong-worded statement on Monday denouncing the violent detention of its bureau chief in occupied Palestine. The network said the detention was carried out with "brutality and repression," demanding al-Lahham's immediate release. Al Mayadeen labeled al-Lahham's detention as part of a wider campaign of repression carried out by Israeli authorities against Palestinian journalists. "We are not surprised by the occupation's sadistic practices," Al Mayadeen said, "nor by its persistent hostility toward journalism, journalists, and the right to report the truth." Al Mayadeen's statement asserted that al-Lahham is one of the most renowned names in Palestinian media, with more than 30 years of experience in journalism. His arrest drew immediate condemnation from across the Arab world, with media figures, press freedom advocates, and political movements expressing solidarity. "For us, Nasser is more than a bureau chief. He is a leading voice in Palestinian journalism, a symbol of purposeful reporting, and a steadfast defender of his people's rights," Al Mayadeen's statement asserted. In late October 2023, Israeli forces raided al-Lahham's home, assaulting his wife and children, conducting an intrusive search, and detaining his two sons, Basil and Basel.
SBS Australia
11-07-2025
- SBS Australia
Blood, rats, self-harm: The disturbing truth about police cells where children are held
This article contains distressing content. Tiny, windowless cells with no access to fresh air, or open-air cells infested with rats and insects. Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids and faeces. Fluorescent lights kept on 24/7, making it difficult to sleep. There are sometimes no doors on the showers or toilets, so female prisoners are exposed to male prisoners, while girls are exposed to adult prisoners or boys. The conditions are so poor that some prisoners deliberately injure themselves to be transferred to hospital. There have long been human rights concerns surrounding Queensland's police watch houses, where children are held indefinitely. Source: Supplied / Queensland Police Union These are some of the conditions many detainees — including children — are facing in Queensland's police watch houses, a damning review has revealed . Watch houses are police holding cells — they're designed for adults, but in Queensland, children as young as 11 are also held here indefinitely, while awaiting trial or transfer to a youth detention centre. The internal review into the state's watch house system was launched by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) last August, following an increase in complaints. It also came after media reports of human rights concerns, including a joint investigation by The Feed and Guardian Australia which showed — for the first time — footage of children being locked inside isolation cells, allegedly for punishment. The review has highlighted issues that have been overlooked for years, facilities crumbling into disrepair, ill-equipped staff and an environment that is "unsafe for minors". "Watch-houses are not equipped to provide the space, privacy, natural light or support needed for children's physical and psychological well-being," the report said. "This can result in heightened anxiety, distress and an increased risk of self-harm." Children locked up for weeks There are 63 watch houses in Queensland — in 2024, more than 78,000 prisoners passed through them. Watch houses are not designed to hold people for more than 72 hours — however, children are sometimes held there for weeks on end. The review found children who were remanded or sentenced spent an average of 161 hours (over 6 days) in the watch house — and stays of more than 14 days were not uncommon. "The Review found that longer prisoner stays in watch-houses can lead to increased rates of non-compliance by prisoners and increase in self-harm events," the report said. A perfect storm of factors has led to children being locked up for longer — including a lack of beds in the overflowing youth detention centres, under-resourced courts, Queensland's strict bail laws and a crackdown on youth crime. For years, human rights groups have called for the release of children from watch houses, while oversight bodies have criticised the long-term detainment of children. Debbie Kilroy is the chief executive of Sisters Inside, an advocacy group for women and girls in prison. "Queensland's watch houses are dangerous, degrading, and unfit for any human being, let alone children," Kilroy said. "Right now, even as this report is being circulated, children are sitting in concrete boxes under fluorescent lights, with no schooling, no privacy, and no access to fresh air. This is not a question of capacity—it is a question of cruelty. "We must divest from police. We must shut down watch houses. And we must get our girls out." Vulnerable groups at risk While the review stressed "watch-houses are not suitable places for vulnerable groups" – including women, girls and children – there was an increase in the length of stays for these groups between 2021 and 2024. People in watch houses have higher rates of health issues compared to the general population — including mental health concerns, suicidal ideation, disabilities and substance abuse. The review also acknowledged women and girls in custody are often survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse and trauma. It said: "The watch-house environment is largely designed with adult men in mind, leaving female prisoners with insufficient access to gender-responsive healthcare services". Staff find it challenging to assess prisoners' health needs, and there are often no on-site health services available. There's been a rise in complaints about watch houses, including the behaviour of watch house staff. The review found a quarter of the allegations are related to assault or excessive use of force, with around one in four relating to child prisoners. However, it noted: "the vast majority of total complaints … were unsubstantiated". Government and police accept recommendations The watch house review has made 34 recommendations, including urging the Queensland government to consider a maximum length of stay for watch house prisoners. Other recommendations include enhancing bail processes to minimise the use of watch houses and revising the training of staff. Both the Queensland Police Service and Queensland government have accepted the recommendations. Police Minister Dan Purdie has announced $16 million in funding to upgrade watch house facilities. He also said the watch house has become a more dangerous place to work. "One in seven staff and police who work in watch houses [are] the victim of assault, which is greater than that on the front line," Purdie told reporters on Thursday. "We will work with the police methodically and diligently to ensure that we have a strategy moving forward to ensure our police have a safer place to work and the facilities they need, to do their job and keep Queenslanders and themselves safe." Police deputy commissioner of regional services, Cameron Harsley, acknowledged significant work needs to be done to overhaul the watch house system. "The watch house officers … are doing a tireless job in challenging situations with very difficult people that we manage in watch houses, but we do that to keep our community safe and keep those that are at most danger to our community off the streets of Queensland." Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at and on 1300 22 4636. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit If you or someone you know is feeling worried or unwell, we encourage you to call 13YARN on 13 92 76 and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. Aboriginal Counselling Services can be contacted on (02) 4707 7989.
