'SECURITY BETTER AT FOOTBALL MATCHES THAN JAILS'

Prison officers' chief hits out at lack of scanners

- HELEN WILLIAMS

FOOTBALL matches and concerts have better security than some jails, according to the national chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA).

Staff who are faced with inmates obtaining illicit items have to deal with prison bosses who are “not up for the fight”, Mark Fairhurst says.

With overcrowding and violence among his key concerns, he told The Times newspaper: “Why on earth we haven't got body scanners at the gate to randomly put people through, like they do at an airport, I have no idea.

“I've seen better security at concerts and football matches than I have going into prisons. Unfortunately, drugs are rife within our prisons.

“Illicit items, mobile phones, drugs, weapons they are rife within our prisons because managers are very reluctant to lock down prisoners in order for staff to search thoroughly each and every area of the prison.”

Mr Fairhurst said that night-time drone deliveries are routinely getting through and staff fear guns may soon get in.