 The prison is holding 44 more inmates than it was designed to |
The new wing of Jersey's La Moye prison will not be enough to solve its overcrowding problem, according to its governor. Governor Mike Kirby said when the wing being built is finished, it is likely space and money will have to be found for another one.
La Moye was built to hold 140 inmates. There are now 184 there.
The Home Affairs Committee said the new wing will bring the prison up to official standards.
Night security
Mr Kirby said although the new wing is welcome it will not solve all the problems.
Inmates at the prison eat meals in corridors or on stairwells because there is not enough room.
Recreation space has been converted to dormitories and sex offenders live alongside those being rewarded for good conduct in the unit meant for vulnerable prisoners.
The Home Affairs Committee said: "Recent trends in the population have resulted in the normal occupancy levels being exceeded on a regular basis.
The committee said of the new wing: "The new accommodation will meet current standards, as identified by a report of Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons, and will include integral sanitation in cells.
"This will also improve night security in that night staff will no longer be required to unlock prisoners to use communal toilet areas when staffing levels are low."
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