The state of UK prisons has deteriorated significantly since the previous Conservative government privatized all maintenance work, according to a recent report. The Prison Officers Association (POA) has criticized the decision, calling it an “unmitigated disaster” and urging the Labour Party to bring these contracts back under government control. The POA argues that the current system is failing at every level, with prisons facing a host of issues that neither staff nor prisoners should endure. This call to action comes as prisons across England and Wales struggle with crumbling infrastructure, including rodent infestations, water leaks, and malfunctioning security systems. The report highlights how these conditions have created an environment that is not only unsafe but also dehumanizing for everyone involved.
One of the most shocking revelations in the report is the sheer scale of the problems facing UK prisons. Prison officers have testified to a “crumbling estate” where basic maintenance needs are consistently ignored. For example, one jail has been grappling with a legionella outbreak for an extended period, waiting for underground water pipes to be replaced. In another facility, CCTV cameras have been broken for years, and faulty walkway lighting is putting staff at risk of accidents during nighttime shifts. These issues are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern of neglect that has plagued the prison system since privatization. Officers also shared disturbing accounts of prisoners and staff being forced to use a single portable sink, leaving them unable to wash their hands properly. This has led to unhygienic conditions that are deeply demoralizing and pose serious health risks.
The POA has made it clear that these problems were not as prevalent before maintenance work was outsourced. Officers emphasized that when prisons had their own in-house works departments, repairs were carried out promptly, and the overall condition of the facilities was far better. However, since privatization, the system has broken down, leading to a backlog of unresolved issues. The POA believes that the upcoming renewal of maintenance contracts presents a critical opportunity for the government to reverse this trend. By insourcing these contracts, the government could undertake the “biggest wave of insourcing in a generation,” restoring the prison system to a state where safety, hygiene, and dignity are prioritized for all.
Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the POA, has called the current state of UK prisons a “damning indictment of privatised prison maintenance.” Fairhurst highlighted the importance of creating an environment that supports rehabilitation, arguing that a decaying and crumbling prison estate cannot foster the necessary conditions for offender reform. He emphasized the need for immediate action to bring maintenance contracts back in house, ensuring that prisons are safe, hygienic, and dignified for everyone—whether they are prisoners, staff, or visitors. Fairhurst’s words underscore the broader implications of the crisis: failing prisons do not just harm those within their walls but also undermine the goal of rehabilitation and the wider safety of society.
In response to the report, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the government inherited a prison system “in crisis” with “crumbling infrastructure” and “dangerous prisons.” However, the MoJ also pointed to steps already taken to address these issues, including a £500 million investment in prison and probation maintenance. The spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to improving conditions in the long term and keeping prisons secure. While these measures are a step in the right direction, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the systemic failures that have led to the current crisis. The POA and others are calling for a fundamental shift in how maintenance and operations are managed, advocating for a return to in-house services as the only way to ensure accountability and efficiency.
The deteriorating state of UK prisons is more than just a logistical issue; it is a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. The testimonies from prison officers and the evidence presented in the report paint a stark picture of a system that has failed both its staff and those in its care. The call to insource maintenance contracts is not just about improving infrastructure; it is about restoring dignity and ensuring that prisons are places of safety and rehabilitation, rather than neglect and despair. As the government considers its next steps, it must prioritize the well-being of all those affected by this crisis and take bold action to address the root causes of the problem. Only then can the UK prison system hope to move forward and create an environment that truly serves the needs of justice, rehabilitation, and humanity.
