(post 1156563) in Friends

Prisoners bullied into becoming Jehovah's Witnesses

PRISONERS at a high security jail were being bullied by a Jehovah's Witness into joining the sect, a watchdog has revealed.

Inmates at Long Lartin prison, near Evesham - which houses some of the most dangerous men in the country - were being "coerced" into joining the religious group by a fellow prisoner.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), a watchdog made up of volunteers who monitor the conditions in jails on behalf of the Home Secretary, highlighted the problem in its annual report.

Although the prison is officially a Category B jail, it also caters for Category A prisoners and those deemed to be High Risk Category A, such as terrorists.

All inmates are serving sentences of between four years and life.

Roger Starkie, chairman of the IMB, says in his report: "There have been attempts to coerce inmates to join the Jehovah's Witnesses which the Board believes to have caused anxiety in some inmates."

The report also reveals that the prison has been a victim of its own success in clamping down on drugs.

Following an increase in the detection of drugs, prisoners have set about making their own alcohol.

Inmates using pieces of fruit and other food scraps, have been leaving the items in a warm place and manufacturing their own alcoholic drinks.

Also highlighted was how a corporate store card for Argos has helped speed up orders from prisoners wishing to buy radios and watches.

Singled out for specific praise was the prison's food, which was described as "admirable".

"The quality and variety of ethnic and dietary meals as well as the more traditional culinary demands of inmates are provided with admirable consistency on a tight budget," said Mr Starkie.

Ian Evans, deputy governor at Long Lartin, said he welcomed the report and there were a number of elements the prison had already moved upon.

He said the bullying involving the Jehovah's Witness was an "isolated" incident, had been challenged at the time and there had been no repetition.

Although the prison has been successful in tackling drugs, he said staff were not complacent about the alcohol.

"We've got to be seen clamping down on both. We do daily searches," he said.