BBC exclusive: A look inside Wandsworth prison (Part 1) - BBC News

A radical reform of the prison system in England and Wales was at the heart of the Queen's Speech today. Ministers are describing it as the biggest shake-up since the Victorian era. The legislation will pave the way for the first six reform prisons - places where governors will be given sweeping new powers. One of them is Wandsworth Prison where the BBC has gained exclusive access. Our correspondent Ed Thomas has spent the last week there - he reports on a prison where drug fueled violence is rife and staff are overstretched.

[archiwak]

Is it easy to get cannabis it is it is it is it is it is is

[DevAngelo]

The pot smokers aren't fighting lol

[TheDesperado]

This isn’t a prison it’s a party dungeon

[svenjaseidel]

I am reading "a bit of a stretch", a book from a former prisoner at Wandsworth and he describes in a very sophisticated way how the life is in there plus what's going really wrong. For example there so many inmates with serious mental health issues such as schizophrenia but they do net get access to mental health care. As well it's widely know how to reduce the suicide or self harming rates, simply one thing could be avoiding long lockdowns due to under staffing. and we are not talking about trips to harrod's or any other place outside the prison. As a psychologist it breaks my heart to see such an incubator for severe mental health issues and no chances for real "resocialisation".

[johnbull]

We need to fix broken families first, it's too late by the time we're at broken jails.

[Ramskull]

At 1:04 one member of staff is more concerned with dropping her pen than using C&R....must be a fast track CM.

[johnsmith]

0:29 is it easy to get cannabis IT IS IT IS IT IS IT IS LOL

[alisonlee]

No one has mentioned the banning of smoking in prisons. I always suspected the anger, violence and frustration would increase with this ridiculous new ruling.

[JayJay-kimi]

I spent 12 months there in 2012. When you live in that environment it becomes the norm to see s**t kick off every day. As a prisoner you get used to it. For most prisoners they get their head down, do their time, and it's plain sailing. But, if you're a drug user, or drug dealer, or you get involved in prison politics your life is going to be difficult. There's some messed up people in that place. Gangs are everywhere, but unless you're involved in that culture you don't really see or hear about what's going on unless it's third hand from somebody else. What get's annoying is telling people to "fk off" every 5 minutes when they're clucking at your door for "a burn". Banning smoking was a bad idea.

[simonmoore]

I did 10 days in there in 2010. Yes there was a bit of cannabis, a bit of violence. But no camera crews looking for drama. Largely uneventful...

[freedomforthebrave]

When the government is corrupted what can you do about prisons

[wotan]

They should not only allow weed in the prison but distribute that good shit to the prisoners daily. I can guarantee that violence would drop by at least 90%.

[scottandrewhorne]

One of the if not the hardiest jobs ever. The Prison Officers when I was wrongly remanded were absoulutly FANTASTIC PROFESSIONAL CURTIOUS EMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING AND WITH A MORAL COMPASS POINTING TOWARDS HEAVEN. I see officers spat at boiling water chucked on them beaten and absoulutly run ragged though they still kept their composure and their integrity. The Good Brothers and or the Good Sisters of Pentonville are and were ABSOULUTLY FANTASTIC. THEY KNOW MANY GOOD HUMAN BEINGS WERE WRONGLY BEING SENT TO JAIL AND THAT THOSE SENT TO JAIL SOME WERE AND ARE INNOCENT. All of the Good Brothers on my wing on the 3s and the 2s and 1s we all watched the officers backs and we showed them the respect that they deserved because they earnt our respect and respect is Earnt not demanded.

[crazyforcoffee]

A prison in Edinburgh, Scotland is ranked in the top ten most luxury prisons in the world. Wish the US would follow the UKs example by fixing these inmates and not making them worse

[anyexpat]

CrAZY TO think that Boris Becker is now there

[Knight_Of_Eleum_Loyce]

British prisons definitely seem really horrible (like any prison is, not meaning that it's a badly made prison, even though I question some of the indoor layout/architecture) but it's surprising that you can interview prisoners so casually. In American prisons it's less easy to be able interview prisoners from what I've seen (mainly because American prisons are much more violent and unpredictable). Also I'm surprised that female prison officers work at that prison. In American prisons all prison guards and workers in general are men as far as I know. I think it's because for prisoners who have life sentences they might try and overtake and r*p3 a female prison guard.

[thewrngchild]

Prison should mean punishment but for some, it should also mean the chance to make yourself a better person. It should not be inhumane, but it should not be a nice experience either. The problem with our prisons is mostly down to overpopulation and low staffing levels. Not enough is being done to rehabilitate prisoners who have a good chance of bettering themselves either. The whole idea for those with less than life sentences should be focussed on their release and what kind of person they will be when that day comes. It should be focussed on preventing reoffending and preventing offenders returning to prison. Prisoners should be forced to take up either education, or training whilst in prison as well, should not be a choice.

[SHABZMusic]

Interesting to see how my tax payments are spent

[DC-wpoj]

Its the prison officers doing most of the supplying

[StevenJones-zown]

When I was in Wandsworth in the 80s the screws were militant, it's sweet now if you are one of the chaps but the first timers are so vulnerable. its handy getting easy gear etc, but prisons are getting dangerous