Dartmoor prisoners paid thousands over dodgy food and bunk bed injuries

The Government has had to pay out thousands of pounds in personal injury claims to convicted criminals held at HMP Dartmoor, a Freedom of Information request has found.

Despite the prison closing in July 2024 after more than 400 inmates were 'temporarily' moved out due to high levels of radon gas, the prison authorities have been subject to a number of personal injury claims from prisoners over the last five years.

The firm Legal Expert, who provide No Win No Fee solicitors for a variety of compensation claims - including claims by convicts for injury - made Freedom of Information requests to the Ministry of Justice over how much had been paid out .

The law firm has revealed that between 2020 and 2024, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) paid out a total of £28,892 for injury claims made by prisoners at HMP Dartmoor.

In 2020, the MoJ forked out £5,000 in compensation to inmates followed by £11,688 year after - these were for personal injury claims which could include; injuries from bunk beds, food contamination, animal bites and asbestos.

A further £4,744 was paid settling prisoner claims in 2023 followed by £7,460 in 2024. The latest published prison population statistics show there are only just over 1,000 spaces left in men’s prisons, prompting former justice secretary David Gauke to release his Independent Sentencing Review (ISR) earlier than expected.

In the interim report, Mr Gauke says he is confronting 'the consequences of decades of haphazard policy-making and underinvestment in the criminal justice system - bringing it to the brink of collapse.'

In September, the government’s SDS40 (standard determinate sentencing) scheme saw prisoners released just 40 percent of the way through their sentence.

In the time frame, for every 100 people released from prison, 67 were recalled. Although Mr Gauke’s report does acknowledge that 'factors including the introduction of a mandatory supervision period for shorter sentences, and heightened probation officer risk aversion… have contributed to this increase.'

Legal Expert solicitor Lucy Parker said: "Prisoners, like anyone else, have a right to their safety while incarcerated. We have seen many different cases over the years of prisoners suffering injuries during their incarceration, from accidents in workshops and kitchens to incidents with staff.

"When they are injured due to negligence, whether it's at the hands of an officer, a slip and fall, or inadequate safety measures, they have the right to seek compensation and to get legal advice on their case."

The firm Legal Expert - www.legalexpert.co.uk - added that it also offers support to prison staff who have suffered an injury at work and free advice on whether they can claim compensation. Their website also gives a detail explanation of how convicted criminals can make a compensation claim for a range of injuries which they may suffer while serving a prison sentence.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Our jails are overcrowded, have been neglected for too long, and our hardworking staff are over-stretched. By addressing this crisis, we can begin the work of improving prison conditions to reduce the need for compensation claims and ensure taxpayer money is spent more effectively.

"The Government is investing in prison maintenance and security, and prisoners who are violent towards staff or other prisoners will face the full consequences of their actions."