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HMP Swaleside in Eastchurch is 'cross between Porridge and Prisoner Cell Block H' according to ex-inmate Phil Wood

HMP Swaleside has been described as “a cross between Porridge and Prisoner Cell Block H”, by a former inmate.

Phil Wood says cell fires, drug use and stabbings were regular occurrences when he was locked-up at the Eastchurch prison, which has seen three disturbances in the past fortnight.

The 61-year-old was serving a nine-year sentence for grievous bodily harm after stabbing his ex-wife’s boyfriend nine times.

Ex-convict Phil Wood says that HMP Swaleside has always been a "terrible prison"
Ex-convict Phil Wood says that HMP Swaleside has always been a "terrible prison"

He was moved to Swaleside for an eight-month stint in 1998 and then again in 2001 for six months.

He said: “It was a terrible prison. There were drugs freely available. The governors had no control whatsoever.

“I just wanted to serve my sentence and get out like most criminals.

“It was like a cross between Porridge and Prisoner Cell Block H. Some of it was funny and some of it wasn’t very funny at all.

“The drug supply was better than Boots the chemist. The inmates had more.

“I know a few inmates in there at the moment and they say it’s still the same.

“When I went next door to Elmley, they rehabilitated me, they resettled me and they were very helpful. The attitude was completely different.

Trouble at HMP Swaleside has been blamed on understaffing
Trouble at HMP Swaleside has been blamed on understaffing
Swaleside has been compared to the BBC series Porridge
Swaleside has been compared to the BBC series Porridge

“Strange - and just two walls separate the two prisons.”

The ex-offender, of The Broadway, Minster, said he knew prisoners who would rather stay in a category A site than move to the category B training jail in Brabazon Road because of the conditions.

Since he was freed seven years ago, unemployed Wood has received help from The Quays in Sittingbourne.

Earlier this month, Swaleside was slammed by HM Inspectorate of Prisons which said staff shortages were affecting “every area” of the category B training jail.

Serious issues raised by the report included a number of serious assaults on staff and inmates, with some prisoners too frightened to leave their cells.

Sheerness Jobcentre Plus advertised 81 prison officer vacancies on Sheppey this week.

Last week we reported how Prison Officers’ Association representative for London and Kent, Mike Rolfe, said new recruits were being put off from joining the service because the salaries offered were around £18,000 and prospective staff were opting for jobs with similar pay but less risk to safety, such as in retail.

The entrance to Swaleside prison
The entrance to Swaleside prison
A drone was used to smuggle in mobiles and cannabis
A drone was used to smuggle in mobiles and cannabis

It comes after firefighters were called to a blaze in a cell at HMP Swaleside on Saturday night.

An appliance from Sheppey and another from Sittingbourne were at the scene from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

A prison service spokesman said it was small and extinguished quickly. No staff or prisoners were injured.

“It was like a cross between Porridge and Prisoner Cell Block H. Some of it was funny and some of it wasn’t very funny at all" - Phil Wood

It comes less than a fortnight after a officer was slashed across the face with a blade after a series of “small fires” were started at the site in Brabazon Road, Eastchurch.

The Home Office dispatched its specialist Tornado unit, a group of officers trained to quell prison riots, to the jail when trouble broke out after 5.30pm on October 3. Inmates were confined until the situation was brought under control.

The officer was take to hospital but later discharged.

In a second incident on Wednesday October 8, at least three inmates were involved in a disturbance.

One prisoner suffered what were thought to be knife wounds and was taken to hospital and later discharged. Police are investigating the incident.

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