Multiple Security Failures Discovered Following Prison Break
An audit at the scandal-hit Wandsworth jail in south London revealed a series of security failings after a prisoner allegedly escaped. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of HMP Wandsworth reported that the security audit found “81 points of failure” and prompted much-needed upgrades to CCTV cameras that had been out of order for over a year.
Following the escape of a former soldier, Daniel Khalife, who is facing charges of terrorism and breaking the official secrets act, the prison has been under scrutiny. This incident adds to a string of scandals at Wandsworth, including a female officer being caught having sex with an inmate. The prison, once home to high-profile inmates like Oscar Wilde and Ronnie Biggs, faces further inspection as living conditions are deemed “inhumane” and the prison is described as “failing” due to various challenges like staff absence and inadequate funding.
The Ministry of Justice responded by redirecting funds and deploying additional staff to address the urgent improvements needed at Wandsworth. The prison’s security audit, conducted last November, led to essential upgrades to the outdated CCTV system, with a marked increase in illegal activities detected post-installation. However, the report also highlighted concerns over the increased use of drones to smuggle contraband into the prison.
Overall, the situation at Wandsworth remains dire, with overcrowding, assaults, and security concerns persisting. Despite previous recommendations and action plans, the prison continues to struggle with maintaining safety and order. The Ministry of Justice acknowledges the challenges but remains committed to addressing the systemic issues within the prison system.
PA Media contributed to this report
