Record level of jails given low rankings

NEARLY one in five adult prisons in England and Wales have had serious concerns raised about their performance, the highest number since the current system of inspections began.

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Some 22 jails - 18.5% of the total - were given the lowest possible ranking in the year to March, up from 15 in the previous 12 months.

A further 37 prisons were assessed as being of concern, up from 35.

These are the highest number of jails to be placed in these categories since the present system of ranking was introduced in 2017/18.

The statistics, released by the Ministry of Justice, note the rise “may be a reflection of the pressures facing the prison estate” as ministers continue to grapple with overcrowding, violence and drugs in jails.