PENTONVILLE Prison has been condemned as a “Victorian relic plagued by overcrowding and poor living conditions” unable to care for its 1,100 prisoners in a damning inspector’s report released today.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons said that prisoners live in fear of violence, with many suffering mental health problems, and “wholly inadequate access to purposeful activity.”

There had been seven suicides at the prison since an inspection in 2019, and the report stated that “support for those at risk of suicide and self-harm was not good enough.”

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: “It is hard to avoid the conclusion that Pentonville cannot safely and decently care for its current population, as illustrated, for example, by the high number of prisoners with mental health needs who could not get prompt appointments.”

The report said that over 40 per cent of prisoners surveyed said they felt unsafe and the amount of illicit drugs in the prison was a “major threat.” 

Andrew Neilson, Howard League for Penal Reform campaigns director, said more than 60 per cent of men at Pentonville were in overcrowded cells and called for the prison population to be reduced.

Prison Reform Trust director Peter Dawson said: “The government should hang its head in shame over this damning report. 

“Decency and rehabilitation are a pipe dream while conditions like this still exist. 

“But there is no plan to end overcrowding and no plan to replace the many prisons that are as old and as disastrously unfit for purpose as Pentonville. 

“Expecting people to live and work in such conditions is a disgrace. It’s time for ministers to explain when they will act to end this national scandal once and for all.”

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.