A recent report has revealed a disturbing picture of life inside HMP Pentonville in London, where three inmates tragically took their own lives while staff meant to monitor them were asleep, distracted, or absent.
The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, placed the Victorian jail under special measures in July after uncovering a series of “comprehensive failures” that have put vulnerable prisoners at risk.
Lack of Supervision Linked to Fatalities
Taylor’s report highlights that staff were often unaware of the prisoners they were meant to be supervising.
“One officer was asleep, others were reading or completely absent when they should have been caring for some very vulnerable men,” he said.
Observation was carried out through plastic screens while prisoners remained behind closed doors, making proper supervision nearly impossible.
Administrative Errors and Overcrowding
The inspection also revealed serious administrative failures.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, ten inmates were released early due to miscalculated sentences, while 130 prisoners—20 percent of those eligible—remained behind bars past their release dates.
This opens the possibility for compensation claims by those held too long.
Meanwhile, overcrowding remains a major issue, with more than 60 percent of inmates sharing cells designed for one person.
Dire Living Conditions
The report paints a grim picture of the prison environment: dirty, noisy, and chaotic wings, with pervasive smells of cannabis, and infestations of mice and cockroaches.
Most inmates spend over 22 hours a day locked in poorly ventilated cells, with limited opportunities for work or education.
Even those with access to activities often failed to participate, highlighting a lack of meaningful rehabilitation.
Rising Violence and Safety Concerns
Violence is widespread, with 454 assaults on prisoners and 260 on staff recorded over the year—more than two incidents per day.
Causes include frustration, gang conflicts, and the influence of illicit activity.
The Category B, medium-security prison, opened in 1842 and currently holds 1,200 men, but its interior has deteriorated significantly, described as “crumbling” and “squalid.”
Calls for Reform and Government Response
Andrea Coomber KC, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, described the report as “appalling” and a new low for overcrowded London prisons.
She urged the government to reduce the number of inmates and invest significantly in staff and facilities.
The Ministry of Justice responded, promising urgent action, including stronger leadership, staff training, and major refurbishments.
Staff Misconduct Adds to the Crisis
The prison service is under intense scrutiny after several cases of inappropriate relationships between staff and prisoners.
Last week, 52-year-old former prison cashier Yolanda Briggs was jailed for eight months after having a sexual relationship with inmate Allan Collins at HMP North Sea Camp.
The affair continued outside prison, highlighting lapses in oversight and professional boundaries, even as she provided financial support to her former inmate lover.
A System at Breaking Point
The revelations underscore systemic failures in both prisoner care and staff conduct.
With overcrowding, inadequate supervision, and misconduct incidents, HMP Pentonville exemplifies the challenges facing London’s local prisons.
Urgent reform and investment are needed to protect the most vulnerable and restore safety and decency behind bars.