Change language
Actions
Displays
Remove from selection
Add to selection
Abstract

Prisoners at Pentonville are in lockdown for large parts of the day because of industrial action taken by prison officers following the killing of an inmate last week.

Guards are running a “restricted regime” after meeting senior managers over issues including understaffing and security, their union said. They are refusing to speak to governor Kevin Reilly after half of about 200 officers working at the prison passed a vote of no confidence in him.

Jamal Mahmoud, 21, was stabbed to death last Tuesday. Two other men were seriously injured in the attack at the Caledonian Road jail.

Dave Todd, branch secretary of the prison officers’ union, said: “They [officers] will still run things like visitors’ hours and may offer access to open-air periods but it won’t be full regime, with the current staff numbers.

“Hopefully, lessons will be learned and discussions will be held over a management plan that will work and will be a long-term solution to the problems.”

Officers have demanded talks with the deputy governor about reducing the number of inmates allowed in the yard at any one time and increasing the number of staff on prison landings. They also want improved netting around the prison to stop criminal gangs flying drones packed with drugs, mobile phones and weapons inside.

Mr Mahmoud’s family and supporters protested outside the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on Wednesday. His cousin, Amal Egeh, said: “Where was everybody when this happened? Where were the guards? Why isn’t there a stricter searching system? How can prisoners get access to weapons? All these questions need to be answered.”


Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (above) was “shocked” by the killing. “It’s a tragedy and it has to be a wake-up call for the way prisons are understaffed, underfunded and overcrowded,” he said.

The MoJ says it has “full confidence” in Mr Reilly. A spokeswoman added: “We are fully committed to addressing the significant increase in violence, self-harm and self-inflicted deaths in our prisons.”

Basana Kimbembi, 34, of no fixed abode, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court via video link yesterday (Thursday) charged with the murder of Mr Mahmoud. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday.

Two inmates injured in the attack remained in hospital last night in a condition described as “not life-threatening”.