Prison punishment system 'fuels drug abuse and violence'

Prisoners who break the rules are often subjected to draconian measures that lead to drug abuse and violence, a campaign group has said.

Overcrowded jails and a lack of staff has resulted in "a monster" system being used, according to the Howard League for Penal Reform.

Inmates accused of violence, disobedience or other infractions can be subject to a an adjudication hearing.

If they are found guilty, extra time can be added their sentence.

However a report by the Howard League says the system is "capricious", as two inmates breaking the same rule can get different sentences.

They also claimed 215,000 days of additional imprisonment were added last year - costing the taxpayer an extra £19m - with more than a million extra days added since 2010.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "The system of adjudications has become a monster.

"Originally intended as a way to punish incidents of unacceptable conduct, it is now routinely used as a behaviour management technique by prisons that are out of control.

"Instead of solving the problems, these punishments feed a vicious cycle, piling more pressure on the prison population and worsening overcrowding, which in turn creates conditions for drug abuse and violence.

"At the same time, rules to incentivise prisoners' behaviour have been made more punitive, which is also contributing to the poisonous atmosphere behind bars."