Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Crime Solicitors

HMP Doncaster “rife with violence”, says HM Inspectorate report (13 August 2014)

Date: 13/08/2014
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, HMP Doncaster “rife with violence”, says HM Inspectorate report

Prison inspectors have found that levels of violence at a private run prison in South Yorkshire are four times the levels of other jails.

BBC News reports that an unannounced inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons revealed that HMP Doncaster was a prison “in decline” with more violent assaults taking place there than at similar jails.

HMP Doncaster is run by Serco – which also runs the controversial Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre in Bedfordshire.

The National Offender Management Service has said that in light of the findings, Serco must take immediate action.

The Ministry of Justice sets out how prisons should be managed in a number of Prison Service Orders (PSOs), which include Prison Rules, Young Offender Institute (YOI) rules and prisoner induction guidelines – as well as rules on issues such as staff wrongdoing, segregation of prisoners and offender assessment and sentence management, healthcare and drugs testing.

Prison Service Instructions (PSIs) also set out guidelines on how prisons should be run, covering issues such as performance management, security vetting, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, incident management, first aid and health and safety.

Inspectors visiting HMP Doncaster reported that prisoners said they did not feel safe at the jail – and inspectors added that “staff did not appear fully in control of some wings".

Serco has run the category B jail since 2003 – HMP Doncaster houses more than 1,000 prisoners. Category A and B prisons are high security prisons – Category B prisoners are subject to more checks by staff and measures are taken to make sure prisoners cannot abscond from jail.

HMP Doncaster was inspected in 2010 and it is reported improvements have been made since then.

However, before the recent unannounced inspection, a disturbance involving prisoners had occurred and inspectors found prisoners still housed in damaged cells on the wing where the disturbance had taken place.

"Staff and prisoners told us that some prisoners had been locked in cells with no running water or electricity for more than two days,” the inspectors’ report said.

There was also found to be a drugs culture at the prison – although since the 2010 inspection, prison management has done more to promote diversity and equality and offer a choice of “high-quality work” to inmates, inspectors noted.

Chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Frances Cook, said, however:

“Prisons in the public sector have been hit by deep budget cuts which have impacted on safety – but Doncaster does not have that excuse.
“Serco's board should be made to explain why this violent, filthy, drug-infested prison is failing so miserably.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year and are available at short notice to keep appointments across the UK.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons to advise on criminal charges, including youth courts and YOIs.

The Duncan Lewis crime team can advise on prisoners’ rights in custody – including making a no win no fee personal injury claim if a prisoner is injured in an unprovoked incident in jail; as well as offering legal advice on conviction appeals, sentencing appeals and Parole Board applications.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on confiscation orders made under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are one of the UK’s leading providers of Legal Aid services and the firm has six offices across London and the southeast.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges contact Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For urgent advice on criminal charges or prisoners’ rights, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.

For out-of-hours legal advice on criminal charges and representation at a police station for questioning under caution, call the Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.


For all Crime related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.