Prisons & Probation – Latest News:
- Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:00:28 +0000: Death on the inside: as a prison officer, I saw how the system perpetuates violence - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
A rise of murders is traumatising inmates and staff, and making life harder for staff. But even in prison, violence isn’t inevitable
There are hotspots for violence in prison. The exercise yard, the showers. There are peak times, too. Mealtimes and association periods are particularly volatile.
But first thing in the morning is not when you expect to hear an alarm bell. I certainly didn’t, at 6am in my office on the residential wing of a high-security prison in late 2018. All prisoners were locked up at that time. But overcrowding has long been a problem in UK prisons, and keeping three men in cells designed for one can be a recipe for disaster.
Continue reading... - Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:30:13 +0000: Plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales may be watered down after backlash - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Exclusive: David Lammy’s proposals could be altered to avoid fight in Lords after criticism from MPs, peers and lawyers
Proposals to limit jury trials could be watered down after a backlash from MPs, peers and senior figures in the legal profession, the Guardian has been told.
Sources say senior government officials are discussing potential changes in an attempt to draw the sting out of the plans and avoid a bruising fight in the House of Lords.
Continue reading... - Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:21:59 +0000: Duchy should cancel catastrophic jail lease | Letters - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
After the costly mistake by the Ministry of Justice over Dartmoor prison, Les Bright and Giselle Dye suggest ways Prince William could help
The public accounts committee is quite right to be critical of the Ministry of Justice’s “catastrophic” decision to carry on leasing a prison site that was harmful to the health of prisoners and staff who look after them (‘Catastrophic’ MoJ leasing of jail with toxic gas set to cost more than £100m, 7 January).
However, it is both unsurprising and disappointing that they didn’t go on to be critical of the Duchy of Cornwall for being happy to keep on taking rent money from the public purse, for the private income of an already wealthy man. And it’s not only the prison that is closed – the national park visitor centre half a mile from the prison gates closed its doors to the public two months ago as a result of financial pressures facing Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA).
Continue reading... - Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:01:21 +0000: Thousands of offenders in England to get health support at probation meetings - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Exclusive: NHS clinicians will sit in on appointments in pilot scheme in four areas aimed at reducing reoffending
About 4,000 offenders in England will get targeted healthcare sessions during their probation appointments as part of a new pilot scheme.
Offenders are far more likely to have poor physical or mental health or addiction issues, which increases the likelihood of reoffending.
Continue reading... - Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:00:37 +0000: Let’s be clear: if the Palestine Action hunger strikers die, the government will bear moral responsibility | George Monbiot - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
The three remaining hunger strikers have been convicted of nothing. Yet with astonishing cruelty, ministers refuse to listen to their reasonable demands
They are far into the lethal zone. Three people who are being held in prison on charges connected with the protest group Palestine Action have been on hunger strike for 45, 59 and 66 days. A fourth prisoner, Teuta Hoxha, ended her strike this week, after 58 days. She could suffer lifelong health effects. The remaining strikers, Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed and Lewie Chiaramello, could pass away at any time. The 10 IRA and INLA hunger strikers who died in 1981 survived for between 46 and 73 days. Muraisi, whose strike has lasted the longest, is, according to supporters, now struggling to breathe and suffering uncontrollable muscle spasms – possible signs of neurological damage. Yet the government refuses to engage.
It created this situation. The Crown Prosecution Service states that the maximum time a prisoner can spend on remand is 182 days (six months). Yet Muraisi and Ahmed were arrested in November 2024, and are not due to be tried until June at the earliest, which means they will be remanded for 20 months. Chiaramello, who was arrested in July 2025, has a provisional court date in January 2027, which means 18 months in prison without trial.
George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...