HMP Northumberland - Panorama

Well what can you say after that Panorama Programme. I'm absolutely distraught at the imagery of what's happening up there. Massive respect to the staff who work there, I had mountains of respect for you before but now I have masses of respect and deep concern for you all.

I hope that the exposure makes the powers that be take action, deal with the issues and support the staff who are trying to keep us all safe but also keep themselves safe in impossible situations at their daily workplace.

The prison has always operated prior to privatisation as part of our community, I've visited been round the prison, visited cells, education and lots of other departments. I was always impressed with the level of control and professionalism of the staff. I felt safe at all times during my visits but now I doubt I'd accept the invite, I'd be concerned.

When you reduce the levels of staff to the amount currently there, remove their support mechanisms such a drug dogs how on earth are they expected to maintain control.

The government have realised that the reduction of 6,000 officers was a mistake and have pledged more. But these will surely be for state run prisons so where does that leave Privatised Prisons and the good staff who work there.

There was an article released by me some months ago about the pressures on services relied on by outside communities such as the ambulance service with those limited services being absorbed by the prison while local people have difficulty getting access. Something that was never a problem to this extent previously. Tonight they mentioned the levels of Ambulances attending the Prison which proves my point.

When I visited the Prison the education and rehabilitation on offer was of much better standards, not having heard of the current company and wasn't impressed with what was viewed tonight. This removes the abilities to rehabilitate and use Prison to change the direction of people's lives.

It's all about the money and the profit margins it would seem, total disregard for the safety and welfare of Prison staff and in turn the immediate communities.

I know some great people who are part of the management team who must be frustrated with the room for manoeuvre that the company offers them when it comes to the finances.

I really hope that following this the staff get the support they need and order is restored to HMP Northumberland and it is returned to the pre privatisation standards. Yes drugs and violence will always be a problem in a prison but not to this extent.

Just my opinion of course.........