Welfare of women 'at risk' if Holloway closes - watchdog

The watchdog in charge of monitoring prisons says it is concerned for the welfare of vulnerable women once Holloway closes later this year.

The government says inmates of the largest female prison in Europe will continue their sentences in "more humane" conditions.

But the prison's Independent Monitoring Board says it is worried about how the closure will affect offenders' rehabilitation.

Justice secretary Michael Gove last year described the prison in north London as “inadequate and antiquated”.