Prisoners kept in 'squalid cells with glass missing from windows'

Prisoners in Staffordshire were left exposed to the elements in "squalid" cells with windows missing glass, a highly critical report has revealed.

A programme of window repairs was reported at a previous inspection of HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall in 2014.

But HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) said the work had only started in October last year and was due to be completed this month.

As a result, most of the 180 cells on three wings had windows without glass, according to the watchdog.

The findings sparked claims of a "national emergency" across the jail estate.

HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall in Staffordshire is a young offender institution and category C training prison for males aged 18 to 25.

Inspectors who visited the facility in October and November found living conditions for most prisoners had deteriorated since the previous inspection.

The HMIP report says:

There were shortages of clothing needed for inmates in work, while a survey found that only 27% of prisoners said they could have a daily shower.

HMIP found the jail was "no longer safe enough" after a "significant deterioration" in almost all areas.

Levels of violence had increased and some prisoners who felt unsafe were "self-isolating".

Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said the prison "needs to be safer".

He added:

Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service, said the deterioration in performance "reflects operational pressures impacting on Swinfen Hall and the wider estate:

He added:

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: