Court custody

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons’ thematic review of court custody in England and Wales, published today (Friday 6 November).

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwick, reported that court custody was an accident waiting to happen and conditions were some of the worst that inspectors had seen.

Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “This is a terrible report. People are being treated in a disgusting fashion. Responsibility for this failure extends to the contract management within the Ministry of Justice; the private companies that are not caring for the welfare and safety of people but are still making money out of it; and the judges and magistrates who are tolerating defendants being treated in this way. Everybody has to work together to ensure that people are treated with humanity and respect.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. The full report can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website.

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