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{{Short description|Men's prison in Worcestershire, England}}
{{use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox prison
{{Infobox prison
| prison_name = HMP Long Lartin
| prison_name = HMP Long Lartin
| image =
| image = File:Long Lartin Prison (2) - geograph.org.uk - 2759365.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Long Lartin Prison in 2011
| location = [[South Littleton]], [[Worcestershire]]
| location = [[South Littleton]], [[Worcestershire]]
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
Line 10: Line 11:
| classification = [[Prisoner security categories in the United Kingdom|Adult Male/Category A]]
| classification = [[Prisoner security categories in the United Kingdom|Adult Male/Category A]]
| capacity =
| capacity =
| population = 622
| population = 500
| populationdate = October 2017
| populationdate = January 2022
| opened = 1971
| opened = 1971
| closed =
| closed =
| former_name =
| former_name =
| managed_by = [[Her Majesty's Prison Service|HM Prison Services]]
| managed_by = [[Her Majesty's Prison Service|HM Prison Services]]
| governor = Jamie Bennet
| governor = Babafemi Dada
| website = {{HM prison|long-lartin|Long Lartin}}
| website = {{HM prison|long-lartin|Long Lartin}}
}}
}}
'''HM Prison Long Lartin''' is a [[Prison security categories in the United Kingdom|Category A]] men's [[prison]], located in the village of [[South Littleton]] (near [[Evesham]]) in the [[Wychavon|District of Wychavon]] in [[Worcestershire]], [[England]]. It is operated by [[Her Majesty's Prison Service]].
'''HM Prison Long Lartin''' is a [[Prison security categories in the United Kingdom|Category A]] men's prison, located in the village of [[South Littleton]] (near [[Evesham]]) in the [[Wychavon]] district in [[Worcestershire]], England. It is operated by [[His Majesty's Prison Service]].


==History==
==History==
Long Lartin was opened as a Category C training prison in 1971, with additional security features and systems being added in 1972 to enable it to operate as a [[dispersal prison]].
Long Lartin was opened as a Category C training prison in 1971, with additional security features and systems being added in 1972 to enable it to operate as a [[dispersal prison]].


In April 1990, inmates at Long Lartin Prison attempted a mass breakout, and about 30 prisoners barricaded themselves on a landing after guards foiled their [[prison escape|escape bid]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73206D8DF7092&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | date=1990-04-03|title=INMATES TRY MASS ESCAPE FROM PRISON IN ENGLAND}}</ref> As a consequence of this and other security breaches, such as when inmate Gareth Connett was suspected of making a homemade handgun in the metal workshop in August 1992 which resulted in a full stand down search of Long Lartin, prison officers were drafted in from all around the country and many homemade weapons were found that had been manufactured in the metal workshop. The establishment was further upgraded between 1995–97 to a maximum security prison.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
In April 1990, inmates at Long Lartin Prison attempted a mass breakout and, after officers foiled their [[prison escape|escape bid]], about 30 prisoners barricaded themselves on a landing.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73206D8DF7092&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | date=1990-04-03|title=INMATES TRY MASS ESCAPE FROM PRISON IN ENGLAND}}</ref> As a consequence of this and other security breaches, such as when inmate Gareth Connett was suspected of making a handgun in the metal workshop in August 1992, prison officers were drafted in from all around the country for a full stand down search in which many homemade
weapons were found.


The establishment was further upgraded between 1995–97 to a maximum security prison.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
⚫
In August 1998, the then Governor of Long Lartin, Jim Mullen claimed that [[mentally ill]] inmates at the prison faced unacceptable delays before being transferred to appropriate hospital accommodation. Mullen stated that up to 20 of his 379 inmates should have been in secure hospital accommodation, after a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons called for action to speed up the movement of prisoners in need of specialist care.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/152839.stm |title=Mentally ill prisoners face 'unacceptable delays' |work=BBC News |date=1998-08-17 |accessdate=2013-04-12}}</ref>


⚫
In August 1998, the then Governor of Long Lartin, Jim Mullen claimed that [[mentally ill]] inmates at the prison faced unacceptable delays before being transferred to appropriate secure hospital accommodation. Mullen stated that up to 20 of his 379 inmates should have been transferred, after a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons called for action to speed up the movement of prisoners in need of specialist care.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/152839.stm |title=Mentally ill prisoners face 'unacceptable delays' |work=BBC News |date=1998-08-17 |accessdate=2013-04-12}}</ref>
⚫
A [[supermax]] segregation unit (the biggest in Europe) a new residential wing called Perrie Wing was opened at Long Lartin in June 1999, designed to hold the most violent and dangerous types of offenders. The new wing substantially increased the capacity of Long Lartin Prison.


⚫
A [[supermax]] segregation unit (the biggest in Europe) comprising a new residential wing called Perrie Wing was opened at Long Lartin in June 1999, designed to hold the most violent and dangerous offenders and substantially increasing capacity.
⚫
A November 2003 inspection report from [[Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons]] stated that Long Lartin Prison was generally safe for inmates and offered good staff-prisoner relations and reoffending work. However the report also cited serious deficiencies at the prison in areas such as [[race relations]], the overloaded and understaffed drug treatment team, and too many prisoners being locked up instead of in work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3282153.stm |title=Prison has race problems |work=BBC News |date=2003-11-18 |accessdate=2013-04-12}}</ref>


⚫
A November 2003 inspection report from [[Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons]] stated that the prison was generally safe and offered good staff-prisoner relations and reoffending work. However the report also cited serious deficiencies in areas such as [[race relations]], the overloaded and understaffed drug treatment team, and too many prisoners being locked up instead of in work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3282153.stm |title=Prison has race problems |work=BBC News |date=2003-11-18 |accessdate=2013-04-12}}</ref>
On the evening of 11 October 2017, during a disturbance on E wing, staff had to retreat. Ten Tornado teams, prison officers equipped and trained to deal with riots, resolved the disorder. At the time two-thirds of inmates were serving life sentences, and in common with other prisons Long Lartin had had staffing cuts of about 20%.<ref name=bbc-20171012>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-41588544 |title=Long Lartin: Prison staff 'attacked with pool balls' |work=BBC News |date=12 October 2017 |accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name=guardian-20171012>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/11/long-lartin-prison-disturbance-breaks-out-at-high-security-jail |title=Riot officers quell disorder at Long Lartin high-security prison |author=Harrison Jones, Kevin Rawlinson |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 October 2017 |accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref>


==The prison today==
==The prison today==
{{as of|2017}} Long Lartin is a 622 capacity Category A prisoner jail.<ref name=guardian-20171012/>
{{as of|2017}}, Long Lartin is a 622 capacity Category A prisoner jail.<ref name=guardian-20171012/>


There are eight main residential units at the prison for sentenced inmates. Two other residential units were demolished and the construction of a replacement purpose built two wing 180 house block has been now been completed.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
There are eight main residential units. Two other residential units were demolished and the construction of a replacement purpose built two wing 180 house block has been completed. There have been two murders at the prison since 2014.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}


There have been two murders at the prison since 2014.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} In October 2017, riot officers were needed over a serious disturbance when 81 prisoners attacked staff with pool balls and forced them to retreat. In January 2018, inspectors considered the prison stable and well controlled. In June 2018 there was a report that the prison's governor needed hospital treatment and spent weeks off work after a prisoner had attacked her. On 30 September 2018 a disturbance broke out and six prison officers were injured, three had head injuries, two had suspected broken jaws and one had a fractured arm according to the Prison Officers' Association. The disorder ended at around 17:30, seven prisoners were put into isolation and will be moved to other prisons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-45700130 |title=Long Lartin prison: Six officers hurt in disorder |publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=30 September 2018|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Mattha|last1=Busby|first2=Marianna|last2=Spring|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/30/long-lartin-prison-five-officers-injured-in-disturbance |title=Long Lartin prison: six officers injured in disturbance |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=30 September 2018|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref> In September 2019 a disturbance occurred involving ten prisoners who temporarily took over a wing. One prison officer needed hospital treatment and specialist riot-trained prison officers were sent in.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-49822896|title=Long Lartin prison: Disturbance ends after inmates take over wing|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=25 September 2019|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref>
On the evening of 11 October 2017, during a disturbance on E wing when 81 prisoners attacked staff with pool balls, staff had to retreat. Ten Tornado teams, prison officers equipped and trained to deal with riots, resolved the disorder. At the time, two-thirds of inmates were serving life sentences, and in common with other prisons Long Lartin had had staffing cuts of about 20%.<ref name=bbc-20171012>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-41588544 |title=Long Lartin: Prison staff 'attacked with pool balls' |work=BBC News |date=12 October 2017 |accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name=guardian-20171012>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/11/long-lartin-prison-disturbance-breaks-out-at-high-security-jail |title=Riot officers quell disorder at Long Lartin high-security prison |author=Harrison Jones, Kevin Rawlinson |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 October 2017 |accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref>
In January 2018, inspectors considered the prison stable and well controlled. In June 2018 there was a report that the prison's governor needed hospital treatment and spent weeks off work after a prisoner had attacked her. On 30 September 2018 a disturbance broke out and six prison officers were injured, of whom three had head injuries, two had suspected broken jaws and one had a fractured arm, according to the Prison Officers' Association. The disorder ended at around 17:30, seven prisoners were put into isolation and will be moved to other prisons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-45700130 |title=Long Lartin prison: Six officers hurt in disorder |publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=30 September 2018|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Mattha|last1=Busby|first2=Marianna|last2=Spring|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/30/long-lartin-prison-five-officers-injured-in-disturbance |title=Long Lartin prison: six officers injured in disturbance |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=30 September 2018|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref>
In September 2019 a disturbance occurred involving ten prisoners who temporarily took over a wing. One prison officer needed hospital treatment and specialist riot-trained prison officers were sent in.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-49822896|title=Long Lartin prison: Disturbance ends after inmates take over wing|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=25 September 2019|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref>


==Notable inmates==
==Notable inmates==
Martin Evans of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' described Long Lartin as one of the UK's "top security jails", and that the prisoners included "some of Britain's most notorious".<ref name=EvansM>{{cite news|first=Evans|last=Martin|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/20/child-killer-beaten-to-death-by-fellow-lifer-in-prison/|title=Child killer beaten to death in prison|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=20 June 2016|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref>
Martin Evans of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' described Long Lartin as one of the UK's "top security jails", and that the prisoners included "some of Britain's most notorious".<ref name=EvansM>{{cite news|first=Evans|last=Martin|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/20/child-killer-beaten-to-death-by-fellow-lifer-in-prison/|title=Child killer beaten to death in prison|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=20 June 2016|accessdate=25 September 2019}}</ref>


⚫
*[[Carl Dobson]], grime MC who is serving a minimum of 30 years for murder.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
⚫
*[[Ben Geen]], a former nurse who since 2006 is serving 30 years (17 concurrent life sentences) for 15 charges of grievous bodily harm and 2 of murder. He still claims to be innocent of all these crimes.
⚫
*[[Jake Fahri]], is serving a life sentence, serving a minimum term of 14 years for the murder of 16-year-old school boy [[Jimmy Mizen]] on 10 May 2008
⚫
* [[Christopher Halliwell]] who was convicted of murdering two women and is believed to have murdered more.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lewis|first1=Tim|title=‘How I caught a serial killer – and lost my career in the police’|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/jun/25/catching-a-serial-killer-stephen-fulcher-police|accessdate=3 October 2017|work=The Observer|date=25 June 2017}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Ben Geen]], a former nurse who since 2006 has been serving 30 years (17 concurrent life sentences) for 15 charges of grievous bodily harm and 2 of murder. He still claims to be innocent of all these crimes.
⚫
* [[Christopher Halliwell]], who was convicted of murdering two women and is believed to have murdered more.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lewis|first1=Tim|title=‘How I caught a serial killer – and lost my career in the police’|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/jun/25/catching-a-serial-killer-stephen-fulcher-police|accessdate=3 October 2017|work=The Observer|date=25 June 2017}}</ref>
* Nathan Matthews, sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years for the [[Murder of Becky Watts]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Jessica Haworth |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/becky-watts-stepbrother-killer-nathan-9546244 |title=Becky Watts' stepbrother killer Nathan Matthews 'burned with boiling butter in prison' |work=Daily Mirror |date=2017-01-01}}</ref>
* Nathan Matthews, sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years for the [[Murder of Becky Watts]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Jessica Haworth |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/becky-watts-stepbrother-killer-nathan-9546244 |title=Becky Watts' stepbrother killer Nathan Matthews 'burned with boiling butter in prison' |work=Daily Mirror |date=2017-01-01}}</ref>
* [[Murder of Zara Aleena|Jordan McSweeney]], sexually assaulted and murdered Zara Aleena in June 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-20 |title=Zara Aleena's killer Jordan McSweeney leaves sentence appeal hearing |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-67168878 |access-date=2023-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Crazy Titch]], grime MC who is serving a minimum of 30 years for murder.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
* [[Vincent Tabak]], sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years in 2011 for the murder of Joanna Yeates.
*[[Steve Wright (serial killer)|Steve Wright]], serial killer who is serving a life sentence for the murder of five women in 2006.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
*[[Steve Wright (serial killer)|Steve Wright]], serial killer who is serving a life sentence for the murder of five women in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Serial killer who strangled and choked prostitutes to die in high security Worcestershire prison |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/serial-killer-who-strangled-choked-22215236 |access-date=10 July 2022 |work=Birmingham Live |date=21 November 2021}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Jake Fahri]], is serving a life sentence, serving a minimum term of 14 years for the murder of 16 year old school boy [[Jimmy Mizen]] on 10 May 2008


===Former inmates===
===Former inmates===
Line 56: Line 64:
* [[Jeremy Bamber]]<ref>[http://www.innocent.org.uk/cases/jeremybamber/index.html "Murder most foul, but did he do it?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803235420/http://www.innocent.org.uk/cases/jeremybamber/index.html |date=3 August 2010 }}, ''The Times'', 18 March 2001; courtesy link to innocent.org, scroll to the end to see the editorial.</ref>
* [[Jeremy Bamber]]<ref>[http://www.innocent.org.uk/cases/jeremybamber/index.html "Murder most foul, but did he do it?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803235420/http://www.innocent.org.uk/cases/jeremybamber/index.html |date=3 August 2010 }}, ''The Times'', 18 March 2001; courtesy link to innocent.org, scroll to the end to see the editorial.</ref>
* [[Mark Dixie]]
* [[Mark Dixie]]
* [[Archibald Hall]], aka the "Monster Butler" or the "Killer Butler" murdered a number of his wealthy employers for whom he was working as a butler. He wrote of his time in Long Lartin prison in his book ''The Wicked Mr Hall - The Memoirs of the Butler who Loved to Kill''.
* [[Abu Hamza al-Masri|Abu Hamza]] (Mustapha Kamel Mustapha)<ref name="Dominic Casciani"/>
* [[Abu Hamza al-Masri|Abu Hamza]] (Mustapha Kamel Mustapha)<ref name="Dominic Casciani"/>
* [[Barry Horne]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1639225.stm |title=Animal activist dies on hunger strike |work=BBC News |date=2001-11-05 |accessdate=2013-04-12}}</ref>
* [[Barry Horne (activist)|Barry Horne]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1639225.stm |title=Animal activist dies on hunger strike |work=BBC News |date=2001-11-05 |accessdate=2013-04-12}}</ref>
* [[Erwin James]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Erwin James |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/apr/20/punishment-easy-part-lord-woolf |title=Punishment is always the easy part |work=The Guardian |date=}}</ref>
* [[Erwin James]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Erwin James |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/apr/20/punishment-easy-part-lord-woolf |title=Punishment is always the easy part |work=The Guardian |date=}}</ref>
* [[Charlie Kray]], elder brother of [[Ronnie Kray|Ronnie]] and [[Reggie Kray]].
* [[Radislav Krstić]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} (transferred to a prison in Poland)
* [[Radislav Krstić]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} (transferred to a prison in Poland)
* [[Ian McAteer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Marina+drugs+row+killer+set+to+appeal.-a092014256|title=Marina drugs row killer set to appeal|date=23 September 2002|website=[[Liverpool Daily Post]]|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ian McAteer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Marina+drugs+row+killer+set+to+appeal.-a092014256|title=Marina drugs row killer set to appeal|date=23 September 2002|website=[[Liverpool Daily Post]]|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref>
* [[Abu Qatada]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
* [[Abu Qatada al-Filistini|Abu Qatada]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
* [[Charles Salvador]]
* [[Charles Salvador]]
* [[Frank Stagg (Irish republican)|Frank Stagg]]
* [[Frank Stagg (Irish republican)|Frank Stagg]]
* [[John Straffen]]
* [[John Straffen]]
* Sidonio Teixeira, who murdered his three-year-old daughter and received a [[life sentence]] in 2008. Beaten to death at the prison in 2016.<ref name=EvansM/>
* Sidonio Teixeira, who murdered his three-year-old daughter and received a [[life sentence]] in 2008. Beaten to death at the prison in 2016.<ref name=EvansM/>
* [[Ian Watkins (Lostprophets)|Ian Watkins]] of former [[rock music|rock band]] [[Lostprophets]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffan Rhys |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ian-watkins-moved-same-prison-6558170 |title=Ian Watkins moved to same prison as child killer Ian Huntley |work=Wales Online |date=2014-01-24}}</ref> Jailed for 29 years after pleading guilty to 13 sexual offence charges, including attempted rape of a baby. Watkins was later moved to [[HM Prison Rye Hill]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}
* [[Ian Watkins (Lostprophets singer)|Ian Watkins]] of former [[rock music|rock band]] [[Lostprophets]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffan Rhys |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ian-watkins-moved-same-prison-6558170 |title=Ian Watkins moved to same prison as child killer Ian Huntley |work=Wales Online |date=2014-01-24}}</ref> Jailed for 29 years after pleading guilty to 13 sexual offence charges, including attempted rape of a baby. Watkins was later transferred to another prison.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/noms/prison-finder/long-lartin/ Ministry of Justice pages on Long Lartin]
* [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/long-lartin-prison Ministry of Justice pages on Long Lartin]


{{coord|52.1084|-1.8535|display=title}}
{{Coord|52.1084|-1.8535|display=title}}


{{Prisons in the West Midlands}}
{{Prisons in the West Midlands}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Long Lartin (HM Prison)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Long Lartin (HM Prison)}}
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[[Category:Men's prisons]]
[[Category:Men's prisons]]
[[Category:Dispersal prisons]]
[[Category:Dispersal prisons]]
[[Category:Wychavon]]

Latest revision as of 07:51, 23 September 2024

HMP Long Lartin
Long Lartin Prison in 2011
Map
LocationSouth Littleton, Worcestershire
Security classAdult Male/Category A
Population500 (as of January 2022)
Opened1971
Managed byHM Prison Services
GovernorBabafemi Dada
WebsiteLong Lartin at justice.gov.uk

HM Prison Long Lartin is a Category A men's prison, located in the village of South Littleton (near Evesham) in the Wychavon district in Worcestershire, England. It is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service.

History

[edit]

Long Lartin was opened as a Category C training prison in 1971, with additional security features and systems being added in 1972 to enable it to operate as a dispersal prison.

In April 1990, inmates at Long Lartin Prison attempted a mass breakout and, after officers foiled their escape bid, about 30 prisoners barricaded themselves on a landing.[1] As a consequence of this and other security breaches, such as when inmate Gareth Connett was suspected of making a handgun in the metal workshop in August 1992, prison officers were drafted in from all around the country for a full stand down search in which many homemade weapons were found.

The establishment was further upgraded between 1995–97 to a maximum security prison.[citation needed]

In August 1998, the then Governor of Long Lartin, Jim Mullen claimed that mentally ill inmates at the prison faced unacceptable delays before being transferred to appropriate secure hospital accommodation. Mullen stated that up to 20 of his 379 inmates should have been transferred, after a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons called for action to speed up the movement of prisoners in need of specialist care.[2]

A supermax segregation unit (the biggest in Europe) comprising a new residential wing called Perrie Wing was opened at Long Lartin in June 1999, designed to hold the most violent and dangerous offenders and substantially increasing capacity.

A November 2003 inspection report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons stated that the prison was generally safe and offered good staff-prisoner relations and reoffending work. However the report also cited serious deficiencies in areas such as race relations, the overloaded and understaffed drug treatment team, and too many prisoners being locked up instead of in work.[3]

The prison today

[edit]

As of 2017, Long Lartin is a 622 capacity Category A prisoner jail.[4]

There are eight main residential units. Two other residential units were demolished and the construction of a replacement purpose built two wing 180 house block has been completed. There have been two murders at the prison since 2014.[citation needed]

On the evening of 11 October 2017, during a disturbance on E wing when 81 prisoners attacked staff with pool balls, staff had to retreat. Ten Tornado teams, prison officers equipped and trained to deal with riots, resolved the disorder. At the time, two-thirds of inmates were serving life sentences, and in common with other prisons Long Lartin had had staffing cuts of about 20%.[5][4]

In January 2018, inspectors considered the prison stable and well controlled. In June 2018 there was a report that the prison's governor needed hospital treatment and spent weeks off work after a prisoner had attacked her. On 30 September 2018 a disturbance broke out and six prison officers were injured, of whom three had head injuries, two had suspected broken jaws and one had a fractured arm, according to the Prison Officers' Association. The disorder ended at around 17:30, seven prisoners were put into isolation and will be moved to other prisons.[6][7]

In September 2019 a disturbance occurred involving ten prisoners who temporarily took over a wing. One prison officer needed hospital treatment and specialist riot-trained prison officers were sent in.[8]

Notable inmates

[edit]

Martin Evans of The Daily Telegraph described Long Lartin as one of the UK's "top security jails", and that the prisoners included "some of Britain's most notorious".[9]

  • Carl Dobson, grime MC who is serving a minimum of 30 years for murder.[citation needed]
  • Jake Fahri, is serving a life sentence, serving a minimum term of 14 years for the murder of 16-year-old school boy Jimmy Mizen on 10 May 2008
  • Ben Geen, a former nurse who since 2006 has been serving 30 years (17 concurrent life sentences) for 15 charges of grievous bodily harm and 2 of murder. He still claims to be innocent of all these crimes.
  • Christopher Halliwell, who was convicted of murdering two women and is believed to have murdered more.[10]
  • Nathan Matthews, sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years for the Murder of Becky Watts.[11]
  • Jordan McSweeney, sexually assaulted and murdered Zara Aleena in June 2022.[12]
  • Vincent Tabak, sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years in 2011 for the murder of Joanna Yeates.
  • Steve Wright, serial killer who is serving a life sentence for the murder of five women in 2006.[13]

Former inmates

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "INMATES TRY MASS ESCAPE FROM PRISON IN ENGLAND". 3 April 1990.
  2. ^ "Mentally ill prisoners face 'unacceptable delays'". BBC News. 17 August 1998. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Prison has race problems". BBC News. 18 November 2003. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  4. ^ a b Harrison Jones, Kevin Rawlinson (12 October 2017). "Riot officers quell disorder at Long Lartin high-security prison". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Long Lartin: Prison staff 'attacked with pool balls'". BBC News. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Long Lartin prison: Six officers hurt in disorder". BBC News. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  7. ^ Busby, Mattha; Spring, Marianna (30 September 2018). "Long Lartin prison: six officers injured in disturbance". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Long Lartin prison: Disturbance ends after inmates take over wing". BBC News. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  9. ^ a b Martin, Evans (20 June 2016). "Child killer beaten to death in prison". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  10. ^ Lewis, Tim (25 June 2017). "'How I caught a serial killer – and lost my career in the police'". The Observer. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  11. ^ Jessica Haworth (1 January 2017). "Becky Watts' stepbrother killer Nathan Matthews 'burned with boiling butter in prison'". Daily Mirror.
  12. ^ "Zara Aleena's killer Jordan McSweeney leaves sentence appeal hearing". BBC News. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Serial killer who strangled and choked prostitutes to die in high security Worcestershire prison". Birmingham Live. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  14. ^ a b Dominic Casciani (5 October 2012). "Abu Hamza to be extradited to US". BBC News. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Subhan Anwar: Two charged with killing child murderer". BBC News. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Murder most foul, but did he do it?" Archived 3 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine, The Times, 18 March 2001; courtesy link to innocent.org, scroll to the end to see the editorial.
  17. ^ "Animal activist dies on hunger strike". BBC News. 5 November 2001. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  18. ^ Erwin James. "Punishment is always the easy part". The Guardian.
  19. ^ "Marina drugs row killer set to appeal". Liverpool Daily Post. 23 September 2002. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  20. ^ Steffan Rhys (24 January 2014). "Ian Watkins moved to same prison as child killer Ian Huntley". Wales Online.
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52°06′30″N 1°51′13″W / 52.1084°N 1.8535°W / 52.1084; -1.8535

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