One sentence summary – The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Wandsworth prison had adequate staffing levels on the day terror suspect Daniel Khalife escaped, with the majority of absences being planned and authorized in advance by the prison governor; however, concerns have been raised about staffing levels, security protocols, and the capacity of current prisons, prompting ongoing investigations and inquiries to identify weaknesses and propose effective solutions.
At a glance
- Wandsworth prison had adequate staffing levels on the day terror suspect Daniel Khalife escaped
- Approximately 40% of the expected staff did not show up for their shift, but most of these absences were planned and authorized
- Staffing levels were not initially considered a contributing factor to Khalife’s escape
- Staffing levels at HMP Wandsworth have increased by approximately 25% since 2017
- An independent investigation will be led by Keith Bristow to assess staffing levels, security measures, and the rules and regulations governing HMP Wandsworth
The details
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed that Wandsworth prison had adequate staffing levels on the day terror suspect Daniel Khalife escaped.
Prisons minister Damien Hinds revealed that approximately 40% of the expected staff, totaling 80 prison officers, did not show up for their shift.
However, the majority of these absences were planned, with only a few being unauthorised.
These planned absences, including staff training, approved annual leave, and sickness, were authorized in advance by the prison governor.
The MoJ initially stated that staffing levels were not a contributing factor to Khalife’s escape.
This point was later confirmed by Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.
Chalk assured the public that correct security protocols and staffing levels were in place at the time of the incident.
Since 2017, staffing levels at HMP Wandsworth have increased by approximately 25%.
The government has taken significant measures to augment the overall prison workforce.
Over 700 full-time equivalent officers have been added in the past year.
However, the last formal inspection of Wandsworth revealed staffing shortfalls that impacted the prison’s regime.
Among prisons in England and Wales, Wandsworth had the sixth highest sickness absence rate.
An average of 20 working days were lost per worker due to sickness.
Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association, emphasized the high levels of staff sickness in prisons.
Staff surveys reported that on the last day of each month, less than 64% of the expected staff turned up to work for 11 out of the last 12 months.
This indicates a recurring issue with staff attendance.
In response to the escape, an independent investigation will be led by Keith Bristow, a former director-general of the National Crime Agency.
This investigation will delve into the rules and regulations governing HMP Wandsworth.
It will also investigate how Khalife obtained the tools needed for his escape.
The investigation will assess staffing levels and security measures, including checks on delivery lorries.
The Justice Committee has also launched an inquiry into the prison population and the capacity of current prisons.
This broader examination aims to address the challenges faced by the prison system in accommodating the growing population.
The MoJ has acknowledged the prison’s staffing issues.
However, they maintain that staffing levels were not directly responsible for Khalife’s escape.
The investigation led by Keith Bristow will shed more light on the incident.
It will also provide recommendations for preventing similar occurrences in the future.
This incident at Wandsworth prison has prompted concerns regarding staffing levels, security protocols, and the capacity of current prisons.
The ongoing investigations and inquiries aim to identify weaknesses in the system.
They also aim to propose effective solutions to maintain the safety and integrity of the prison system.
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| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has stated that Wandsworth prison had adequate staffing on the day terror suspect Daniel Khalife escaped. |
| – Prisons minister Damien Hinds announced that 80 prison officers, nearly 40% of expected staff, did not show up for their shift. – |
| The majority of the absences were planned, with fewer than five being unauthorised. – Planned absences included staff training, annual leave, and sickness, which were approved in advance by the prison governor. – |
| The MoJ initially stated that staffing levels were not a contributing factor in Khalife’s escape. – Justice Secretary Alex Chalk confirmed that correct security protocols and staffing levels were in place at the time of the escape. – Staffing levels at HMP Wandsworth have increased by around a quarter since 2017. – |
| The government has taken steps to increase the overall prison workforce, with over 700 full-time equivalent officers added in the past year. – |
| The last formal inspection of Wandsworth found staffing shortfalls that affected the prison’s regime. |
| – Wandsworth had the sixth highest sickness absence rate among prisons in England and Wales, with an average of 20 working days lost per worker. |
| – Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association, highlighted the high levels of staff sickness in prisons. |
| – Wandsworth prison has regularly operated with between 36% and 48% expected staff missing. |
| – Staff surveys reported that less than 64% of expected staff turned up to work on the last day of the month for 11 out of the last 12 months. – |
| An independent investigation into the prison escape will be led by Keith Bristow, a former director-general of the National Crime Agency. – |
| The investigation will examine the rules at HMP Wandsworth and how Khalife obtained the tools for his escape. – Staffing levels and security measures, including checks on delivery lorries, will also be assessed. – |
| The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into the prison population and capacity of current prisons. |
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