Bedbugs and other defects close nearly 3,800 UK prison cells

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 10:14 · Archive

Nearly 3,800 prison cells across England and Wales are out of use due to bedbugs, asbestos, mould and fire safety repairs.

Nearly 3,800 prison cells across England and Wales remain out of use, the Ministry of Justice has revealed. Reasons for the closures include bedbugs, asbestos, mould, damp, leaks, Legionella bacteria, toxic gas and fire safety repairs. The most common reason is the Fire Safety Improvement Programme, which has rendered 2,255 cells empty across the UK.

Two cells at HMP Wayland near Thetford in Norfolk were closed because of bedbugs as of October 19. This closure comes three months after the jail experienced an outbreak during the summer, affecting four cells. A prisoner reported in Inside Time, the newspaper for prisoners, that he had been detained in a bedbug-infested cell at the prison. The Prison Service said the outbreak was dealt with quickly and appropriately. Specialist teams were also called to tackle infestations at HMP Holme House in Stockton-on-Tees, where at least three cells were affected.

The figures were disclosed by prisons minister Catherine McKinnell in response to shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy. Bedbugs are difficult to eradicate because they hide in small spaces, reproduce rapidly and can develop resistance to pesticides. The closures compound the prison overcrowding crisis, which has prompted the government to release thousands of offenders early.

How it is being reported

• Bedbugs, disease outbreaks and asbestos leave prison cells emptyTwo prison cells were left unusable due to bedbugs, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of JusticeThe Independent · 26 Oct, 09:57
• Bedbugs force prison cells to close as 3,800 spaces lost in overcrowding crisisThe closure comes three months after the jail experienced an outbreak of the blood-sucking parasites during the summer.Daily Express · 25 Oct, 20:22

In this story: HMP Wayland · HMP Holme House · Ministry of Justice · Catherine McKinnell · Nick Timothy · England · Wales

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem