Islington Tribune -News: 'Dumping ground' policy under fire as politicians visit pentonville

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 4 May 2007

From left, Cllrs Lucy Watt, Wally Burgess, Tracy Ismail, Anna Berent, John Gilbert, Meral Ece, Greg Foxsmith and Emily Fieran-Reed.

‘Dumping ground’ policy under fire as politiciaans visit Pentonville

A CROSS-party delegation of concerned Islington councillors has visited Pentonville Prison as part of an attempt to improve the image of the desperately overcrowded institution.
The group – many entering the prison for the first time – were shocked by the cramped cells but left impressed with the way staff and prisoners coped with conditions.
Councillors spent several hours at the prison last Wednesday. With 1,200 inmates, Pentonville, built in 1842, is one of the busiest in Europe.
Lib Dem councillor Greg Foxsmith, a solicitor who visits the prison in a professional capacity, said: “I would like to see the council supporting a mentoring service for ex-prisoners, possibly using volunteers.
“Islington is the only London borough which has two prisons. There is a danger we might close our eyes to what goes on behind these walls.”
He thought it was a national scandal that 80 per cent of prisoners have mental health problems and that a huge proportion are inside for drug-related crimes. He said: “They should be treated for their illnesses and rehabilitated rather than dumped in prison.”
It was the first time inside the prison for Lib Dem councillor Meral Ece.
She said: “There are a lot of difficulties but the wardens do a terrific job. There is no question that the prison is a dumping ground for people who should be treated elsewhere.”
Labour councillor Wally Burgess said: “Conditions were bearable, although I wouldn’t want to be more than 24 hours in there.”

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