Latest news with #HMPBerwyn
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
MP for Wrexham speaks out on pressures facing HMP Berwyn
MP for Wrexham Last week, along with colleagues on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, we took evidence from a number of witnesses for our enquiry into Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales. As MP for the constituency with the largest prison in the UK, HMP Berwyn, this session was particularly relevant to our area. I also wanted to hear the experiences of those representing people working in the prison and probation services. Berwyn faces pressures as it is increasingly being used to house the remand population from North-West England. The dynamics at Berwyn alongside its size is very different to jails like Swansea or Cardiff that tend to house inmates who are more local to the area. Furthermore, there have also been staffing challenges at Berwyn however recently the staffing levels have come close to a full complement. The importance of staffing and leadership was emphasised at all prisons. High recall rates in Wales are also putting pressure on the prison and probation services. There is no women's prison in Wales and we heard about the impact of this on women and their families. Welsh women are held in prisons in England, often meaning significant journeys for relatives wanting to visit them. Women from Wrexham for example, might be taken to HMP Styal near Manchester. A report entitled 'Time to Care' emphasised the importance of keeping close ties with families to support. Following on from this, I welcome the Justice Secretary's announcement on Thursday that the Government will take the recommendations of the Gauke report and introduce a presumption against custodial sentences of less than a year. As 77% of women sentenced to custody received a sentence of 12 months or less, this change should have a significant aspect on women. Having spoken to organisations working in our community like the Wallich and NACRO, I understand the issues around homelessness and reoffending and I am looking to work with them to see how we can strengthen prevention and rehabilitation efforts. As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or
Leader Live
28-05-2025
- Leader Live
Court: Flintshire man jailed for indecent images offences
Christopher Daniels, of Alyn Road, Buckley, appeared at Mold Crown Court via a video link from HMP Berwyn on Wednesday afternoon. The 51-year-old previously admitted making indecent images of children at category A, B and C. The charges also led to a breach of his SHPO, handed down in 2017. Dafydd Roberts, prosecuting, told the court that after being sentenced for making indecent images in 2017, Daniels was given a six month custodial sentence and a SHPO, which prevented him from using any file shares or anonymity software. In November 2022, North Wales Police searched Daniels' address and found indecent images, leading to his arrest. He was later released under investigation, but searches of his devices led to a total of 324 still images being found and one moving. A total of 147 were Cat A, 74 and the moving image were Cat B and there were 113 Cat C images. The children depicted were both male and female ranging from the ages of four to 12. When interviewed by police, Daniels continued to deny any knowledge of the images that were found on his devices. The defendant had six previous convictions for 13 offences. Myles Wilson, defending, told the court that Daniels has "unresolved personal trauma" from both childhood and adulthood. He was described as an "anxious individual" who has become "isolated in recent years" and has been "targeted by locals" near to where he lives. Mr Wilson also read out the conclusions of a psychiatric report on Daniels, which suggested he would benefit from "therapeutic intervention" and suggested that there was a realistic chance at rehabilitation. Daniels was described as being "desperate to get some help". Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands said that it was "abundantly" clear that Daniels didn't intend to comply with the initial SHPO. MOST READ: Dad describes how joy turned to terror and panic at Liverpool victory parade Man who had 'large kitchen knife' in public among those sentenced in court He said that Daniels' acts were "calculated" and "depraved", and that he showed "sophistication" in the way he stored them. Judge Rowlands added that there was "no realistic chance of rehabilitation at this time". Daniels was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, 12 for the Category A images and six for the breach of the SHPO. A new SHPO has been issued, which will last 10 years from the day of sentencing.
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Leader Live
Buckley Lower Common vandalised as police up patrols
North Wales Police's South Flintshire team confirmed they were made aware of the vandalism at the Lower Common in Buckley. A "children's den" has been set up, with a fire, camping chairs and what looks to be a tent. The force say they will be conducting patrols to ensure no further damage. A spokesperson said: "Do you know where your children are when they go out to play? MOST READ: "Major milestone" as new store set to open at Eagles Meadow in Wrexham Man found with 35g of spice down his trousers during visit to HMP Berwyn "On Monday 19th May, we were made aware of vandalism having taken place at the Lower Common in Buckley where a children's den has been set up in the woodland of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). "An SSSI is a site of special scientific interest and is a formal conservation designation. Usually describing an area that's of a particular interest to science due to the rare species of fauna, flora or any wildlife natural habitat. It's important to protect the geological and physiological features within the area. "We have liaised with Flintshire County Council and ranger David Bryan who will arrange to have the area cleaned up. Patrols will be conducted to ensure no further damage is caused."
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
HMP Berwyn inspection sees rise in violence and drug use
UK's largest prison sees violence and drug use rise 6 minutes ago Share Save Oscar Edwards BBC News Share Save Getty Images The report found drug use and violence had increased at the prison since the previous inspection The UK's largest prison has been criticised after an inspection found a rise in levels of drug use and increased violence. A report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said progress at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham was being hampered by an influx of prisoners from overcrowded jails in England. But the report added a relatively-new prison governor had displayed "capable" leadership qualities and staff recruitment had improved. A prison service spokesperson said a "comprehensive action plan" was underway at the prison to address issues around drug use and self-harm. HMP Berwyn opened in February 2017 and is the largest public sector prison in England and Wales. A previous report about the jail, conducted in 2022, said a lack of staff was having a big impact on the prison. The new report said "drugs were more available, and levels of violence and self-harm were much higher" than the last inspection three years ago, with the rates of self-harm among the highest compared to similar jails. The prison's safety score has now been rated as "not sufficiently good" compared to "reasonably good" previously. But its score for inmates' preparation for release has increased from "not sufficiently good" to "reasonably good". Getty Images The mainly category C prison is one of the biggest jails in Europe and houses just under 2,000 inmates Prisoners who were spoken to said they "appreciated" staff checking up on them, the report said, but they were not always effective in resolving the "underlying issues" leading to self-harm. HMP Berwyn was originally built to service the courts in north Wales but the report highlighted how "population pressures" had changed that. The Wrexham prison was holding 1,937 men at the time of the latest unannounced inspection which took place in January and February. The report said: "On this inspection, around 200 prisoners were remanded or unsentenced prisoners, many of whom were coming from courts in Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, with some prisoners coming from as far as Preston." Getty Images Many unemployed prisoners got 'as little as two hours unlocked' according to the report The report was also critical of how prisoners spend their days with "too many" not having enough to occupy their time. It said 25% of inmates were unemployed and 27% in part-time work or education at the prison. The report added: "Attendance in education and training was low at 70% despite the teaching being generally of a reasonable standard." Those who were in full-time work could expect to get much more time of of their cell, the inspection found. Meanwhile, many unemployed prisoners got "as little as two hours unlocked", according to the report. It said these factors were "no doubt" a cause of boredom and drug-taking in the prison. Random tests showed drugs were "being used by 33%" of the prison population. The report added purposeful activity was "particularly limited" for those on the vulnerable prisoner wings. Getty Images The report also praised prison staff for maintaining 'some outstanding initiatives' Prisoner living conditions were said to be "good" with the jail's 24 wings all providing a "decent standard of accommodation". The report said each cell had a shower "which prisoners greatly appreciated". It also found the prison had undertaken a successful recruitment drive to rectify staffing issues which have been present since 2017. The report praised prison staff for maintaining "some outstanding initiatives" at the prison. This included the physical education programme for prisoners involved in violence to improve "communication and interpersonal skills". Getty Images The report said prisoners had benefitted from physical education programmes at the prison
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Wales Online
HMP Berwyn prisoners claim thousands for bunkbed mishaps and 'injuries by staff'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prisons can be dangerous places for inmates and not always for the reasons you might expect. Over the last five years, tens of thousands of pounds have been paid out at HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, in compensation for personal injuries such as animal bites and bunk bed mishaps. Compensation figures were released amid growing concerns for the safety of both staff and inmates, with Britain's overcrowded prisons hitting record levels last year. Latest prison population statistics show there are only just over 1,000 spaces left in men's prisons. Between 2020 and 2024, pay-outs worth more than £133,000 were settled at HMP Berwyn, Wrexham's Category C men's prison. A sizeable tranche was as a result of injuries caused by other prisoners (£48,918). A further £31,603 related to prisoner injuries caused by members of staff. But the biggest category was 'other personal injury', which could include asbestos, food contamination and bunk bed scrapes. At Berwyn, the largest prison in England and Wales with a capacity of 2,106 inmates, this amounted to £53,300 over the five years. Freedom of Information figures obtained by Legal Expert revealed that, across all of the UK's prisons, bunk beds resulted in the biggest personal injury claims, with £4.5m being paid to inmates since 2022. Next most costly were slips, trips and falls. At Berwyn, claims across all categories peaked in 2022 when £47,514.74 was paid to prisoners. Since then, annual settlements have amounted to £29,564 in 2023 and £32,124 last year. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now According to Legal Expert's figures, Berwyn's staff-on-inmate claims were among the highest in UK prisons. Pay-outs in this category were bigger only at HMPs Pentonville, Nottingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Aylesbury, Highpoint and Highdown. (Image: Legal Expert) At two UK prisons, the compensation claims ran to millions. Topping the list was HMP Chelmsford (£5.57m over five years), largely due to substantial prisoner-on-prisoner pay-outs. Second was HMP Leicester (£3.21m over five years), nearly all of it relating to 'other personal injury' claims. In terms of the overall compensation rankings, the Wrexham prison was outside the top 10, with a total bill of £133,821. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox (Image: Legal Expert) Reform of the prison system has been promised but until this happens, compensation pay-outs to prisoners are likely to continue, said Legal Expert solicitor Lucy Parker. In the last five years the UK bill came to an eye-watering £9.8m. She added: 'Prisoners, like anyone else, have a right to their safety while incarcerated. We have seen many different cases over the years of prisoners suffering injuries during their incarceration, from accidents in workshops and kitchens to incidents with staff. 'When they are injured due to negligence, whether it's at the hands of an officer, a slip and fall, or inadequate safety measures, they have the right to seek compensation and to get legal advice on their case.' By the end of last year, the prison population in England and Wales was more than 85,000, having increased by more than 40,000 since 1993. A review of the justice system is being led by former justice secretary David Gauke, who published an interim report in February warning prisons were overcrowded and "on the brink of collapse". A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Our jails are overcrowded, have been neglected for too long, and our hardworking staff are over-stretched. By addressing this crisis, we can begin the work of improving prison conditions to reduce the need for compensation claims and ensure taxpayer money is spent more effectively. 'The Government is investing in prison maintenance and security, and prisoners who are violent towards staff or other prisoners will face the full consequences of their actions.' Find crime figures for your area
