HMP Bedford unit "dungeon plagued with rats"

A prisons watchdog has said inmates at HMP Bedford are living with a "plague of rats", "consistent infestation of cockroaches" and "significant" violence.

The Independent Monitoring Board(IMB) heavily criticised the jail's segregation unit describing it as a "dungeon" and saying it "can no longer be considered a humane place to hold prisoners."

The IMB is made up of local volunteers who visit prisons several times a month.

Their annual report found regular shortages of basic items, drugs widely available and "disgusting" amounts of rubbish lying around.

They blame the problems on a chronic lack of investment over many years as well as the loss of a large number of experienced staff.

They say while there have been considerable attempts to improve the prison progress has been too slow.

Last month a report on Bedford Jail by the Chief Inspector of Prisons sparked a mass walk out of prison staff across England and Wales.

That report said there is a "dangerous lack of control" at the facility.