Gavin Williamson MP has criticised the complaint form system in place at Featherstone prison. Almost 2,000 grumbles were lodged by prisoners in the South Staffordshire prison in 12 months, new figures have shown. Whilst some concerns relate to serious matters others cover concerns over issues as petty as butter on sandwiches and the size of food portions served.
Commenting on the figures Gavin Williamson MP said:
‘It is absolutely crazy that prisoners are complaining about such frivolous matters. Of course it is right that they have the opportunity to raise concerns about serious issues such as bullying and racial abuse, but it sounds as though the process is being misused for pointless complaints by some inmates. It’s mad that they are moaning about what is on the Christmas Menu. They must remember that they are there to pay a price for the crimes that they have committed and I would certainly hope that the prison authorities pay no heed to all this whinging. It is a disgrace that this is allowed to go on as they gave up the right to make such complaints the minute that they committed the crimes that they have been imprisoned for.’
The Ministry of Justice have said that the complaints system was designed to deal with prisoners’ concerns ‘quickly and effectively’. They are collected in a box, assessed and sent to the appropriate place so that they can be addressed. Gavin Williamson MP believes that the system is obviously being misused.