A report following an unannounced inspection at the Lincoln prison slammed the facility for slow progress after a riot eight years ago.
In 2002 a serious riot caused long-term damage to the Victorian prison, and an inspection in 2008 found reasonable improvements made.
However, an unannounced short follow-up inspection carried out in May found the prison in “poor physical condition” among other concerns.
The report says the external environment was “dirty and littered” and cells contained a large amount of graffiti.
Also, two prisoners shared cells designed for one, some toilets were unscreened, and the segregation unit was “dirty and unbearably hot in summer”.
The report also said that prisoners at the Lincoln prison spend too little time out of their cell, despite the time increasing slightly.
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons also found the integrated drug treatment system (IDTS) team were under-resourced and under-supported.
The report also noted several improvements such as better measures for dealing with violence reduction, and rare bullying cases.
Staff-prisoner relationships “remained reasonably good”, and resettlement activities for prisoners were praised.
Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, acknowledged the challenges the Lincoln prison faces in the years to come:
“HMP Lincoln has had a troubled past, but by the time of its last inspection in 2008, the prison had returned to normality and was making progress although plenty of scope for improvement remained.
“This follow-up inspection shows that progress continues to be made – but too slowly,” Hardwick concluded.
Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said:
“I am pleased that the Chief Inspector has acknowledged the progress made at HMP Lincoln since the last inspection, particularly in resettlement work which plays a key role in reducing re-offending and protecting the public.
“The Governor and his staff will continue to work hard to build on the progress made,” Spurr added.
Government figures show that jus under 70% of criminals who got sentences under 12 months at Lincoln prison are reconvicted.
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New CCTV cameras will be installed north of Lincoln city centre after Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £50,000 of funding.
The original £400,000 scheme came after a successful bid by Lincolnshire’s PCC Marc Jones. This involved broadening the CCTV coverage to include the main walking routes out of Lincoln city centre and in three areas.
The funding will extend the new Safer Streets CCTV and will allow for the creation of 360 coverage out of the city centre. It will now allow the cameras to monitor walking routes to and from Bishop Grosseteste University.
The money for the plan – developed in partnership with the City of Lincoln Council – comes from the government’s Safer Streets Fund.
The scheme also includes funding to develop teaching materials which promote women’s rights and challenge attitudes; a Night Safety Charter pledging to design public spaces to make them safe at night; and training for bar, hotel and restaurant staff regarding vulnerability and tackling predators.
All elements of the plan will be co-developed with women and girls and experts in the field.
Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones. | Photo: Daniel Jaines
The Lincoln-based bid is the third successful Safer Streets bid for Lincolnshire. So far the PCC has brought £500.000 in additional funding to the county for projects in the north and east coast.
“I am delighted to be able to secure additional funding to extend the CCTV cameras even further,” said Mr Jones.
“The project was already going to make a significant difference in helping residents feel and be safe and the extra money will ensure that security is extended to even more people.
“It is excellent news and another step forward in protecting our communities.”
It’s been a disastrous few weeks for the Tories. The party has lost a safe by-election, slumped in the polls, and the Prime Minister was forced to make a humiliating apology over rule-breaking lockdown parties last year.
Labour will certainly be hoping to ride the wave to victory nationally – but is the same possible in North East Lincolnshire?
The historically left-leaning borough has swung between the Labour party and a variety of coalitions for the first 24 years of its existence.
Then in 2019 the Conservatives captured outright control in an unprecedented victory.
Since then, local elections have delivered more joy and they now have a commanding control of 31 of the 42 seats.
Labour has been reduced to seven, the Liberal Democrats to three and Ukip has been wiped out. One seat is also vacant.
With some of their traditional strongholds and veteran councillors gone, the Labour party now only has seats in Grimsby’s West Marsh, South, Sidney Sussex and Heneage wards.
But if the country’s mood changes, would the local party be able to capitalise on that and start to win back voters?
Labour party leader Councillor Matthew Patrick hasn’t responded to requests to speak about this, but it isn’t unthinkable.
One of the defining issues of the 2019 local elections in which the Conservatives took power was the Toll Bar roundabout fiasco, which Labour was determined to replace with traffic lights.
Despite opposition from motorists, local residents and Toll Bar Academy, the party was committed to forcing it through.
The Tories made the most of the unpopular plans, and quickly put the brakes on them once they came to power.
Nearly three years on, has the issue faded from voters’ minds?
Then there’s the question of whether Grimsby will actually be levelled up.
Although the Town Deal was signed on Labour’s watch, Conservative party have prided themselves on bringing government cash to North East Lincolnshire.
It’s hard to keep track of all the different grants, from Future High Street funds, Levelling Up money and Town Deal cash.
But will voters wait to see the difference or get impatient?
Grimsby MP Lia Nici, who was elected around the same time as the current administration, told a party conference last year that voters were “expecting to see something now happen”.
“If I don’t see physical changes in my town before the next election I am highly likely not to keep my seat,” she said.
“My concern is national government and local government move incredibly slowly.
“The message now is we need to get on with the job. We really now need to see some positive change.”
It’s also worth remembering how long ago 2019 was.
The top political issue by miles was Brexit, which Boris Johnson used to great effect in his landslide victory.
But today it’s completely been replaced by coronavirus, and the restrictions and recovery which go along with it.
If voters become unhappy with how the government’s handling it and if Johnson is replaced – which is far from certain – Labour might find the political terrain shifting in their favour.
Of course, local politics is also about individual personalities, fly-tipping in alleys, housing developments and bus services.
A lot of hard work has to go into finding good candidates, winning trust and building a successful party, and Labour certainly has a mountain to climb after its losing streak in recent elections.
When voters head to the polls in May for local elections, they will be asking who can deliver the best results for them.
Even if Sir Kier Starmer ends up as the UK’s Prime Minister, it is far from certain Labour will make a comeback in North East Lincolnshire.
Update, 16 January: Demmi has been found safe and well.
Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal.
Have you seen Demmi? The 16-year-old is missing from the Spalding area.
She is described as about 5ft 6ins tall, of pale complexion, and likely to be wearing makeup. Demmi is also thought to be wearing a black hoodie, black leggings, white trainers and carrying a handbag.
She also has a nose and tongue piercing.
If you have seen Demmi, or have information that could help our search, please call 101 quoting Incident 100 of 13 January.
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