Concerns Raised Over Overcrowding, Poor Conditions, and Safety Risks in One of the UK’s Oldest Jails

A new watchdog report has labelled Pentonville Prison, one of the UK’s oldest correctional facilities, as “unfit” for housing prisoners or supporting their rehabilitation. The investigation revealed severe overcrowding at the facility in north London, with inmate numbers reaching almost 1,150—far beyond its intended capacity.

Prisoners are confined to cramped 12ft by 8ft cells, often shared by two inmates, featuring nothing more than a bunk bed, a single desk, a chair, and a toilet without any privacy, located mere inches from where they eat and sleep. The report emphasises that the lack of privacy is a violation of humane treatment standards.

Pentonville’s independent monitoring board (IMB) also raised alarm over persistent issues linked to the prison’s outdated infrastructure, including heating, water, repair, and pest control problems. A particularly worrying concern highlighted was the inoperable lift serving the vulnerable prisoner unit (VPU), forcing elderly and frail prisoners to navigate narrow stairs. This has created dangerous conditions for both inmates and staff, with risks of accidents.

Further problems included repeated failures of hot water, heating, and low water pressure, all due to the prison’s aging systems, which also struggle to isolate cells during repairs. On two separate occasions, blocked drains caused sewage to spill into the lower levels of the prison, creating unsanitary conditions in the care and separation unit.

Despite these dire conditions, the report noted that there had been a reduction in contraband, thanks to stricter searching procedures, and acknowledged the creation of a neurodiversity unit which has helped prisoners with neurological disorders.

The IMB’s report, covering the period from April 2022 to March 2023, also highlights the increasing number of prisoners on long-term remand, and the lack of effective resettlement preparation for those due for release. Of particular concern is the fact that 40% of prisoners released during the reporting period had no accommodation awaiting them, a factor that undermines efforts for successful reintegration into society.

IMB chairwoman Alice Gotto expressed disappointment at the continued overcrowding and substandard living conditions, noting that, for the second consecutive year, Pentonville had the highest number of calls to the IMB helpline from prisoners across England and Wales. She stated, “Despite the hard work of staff and management, Pentonville remains an unfit place for prisoners to live or to be rehabilitated.”

A spokesperson for the Prison Service responded by acknowledging the challenges and highlighting the ongoing efforts to address these issues, including significant refurbishments aimed at increasing capacity and introducing new training and education programmes. Furthermore, the Government is pushing forward with plans to expand prison capacity by 20,000 spaces, including the construction of six new, modern jails.