Pentonville prison overcrowded, crumbling and 'porous to drugs and weapons', watchdog warns

One of Britain's oldest jails is overcrowded, crumbling and porous to drugs, weapons and mobile phones, a watchdog report has warned.

Monitors at HMP Pentonville found old windows had not been replaced, vermin was rife and prisoners went weeks without exercise in the fresh air.

Pentonville's Independent Monitoring Board said the north London prison, which hit the headlines two years ago when two prisoners staged an audacious escape, remains "porous".

Windows flagged up in 2016 are still insecure and compromise the safety of staff and inmates, according to the IMB's annual report for 2017-18.

There had been an increase in gang-related incidents during gatherings for prayer. On one occasion, a fight erupted and ministers had to run for cover.

The board said Pentonville has many energetic and committed staff but there were too few officers for most of the year.

Wings were shut down for three or four half-days a week, activities and association time were restricted and some prisoners went weeks without exercise in the fresh air.