MICE and insect infestations are plaguing the biggest women’s prison in England and Wales, according to an inspection report published today.

Many areas of Holloway Prison were filthy, inspectors found. Inmates at the North London jail were forced to use sanitary towels as improvised toilet seats and to plug gaps under doors to keep out mice.One prisoner told the inspectors that she had been smuggling bleach from her work area to her cell to keep it clean.

Anne Owers, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, said that the jail was still suffering from “fundamental problems” almost ten years after her predecessor walked out of the jail after discovering appalling conditions.

Ms Owers said that conditions at the prison, which holds 550 inmates, had improved but found that several recommendations made in 2002 had not been met. She said: “Holloway undoubtedly progressed since the last inspection, but not to the extent that managers had hoped and we had expected.

“The previous management team have tackled some of the problems with enthusiasm, but aspects of the underlying culture remained unaddressed.”

She revealed that none of the staff working with children and young adults had received enhanced checks from the Criminal Records Bureau.

“We were very concerned that not one member of staff had been subject to the required checks,” she said.

Hygiene on the juvenile and young adult unit was poor and the conditions in a new segregation unit were condemned. The report said: “All the rooms had very stained toilets with no seat or lid, dirty sink, and toothpaste-covered notice boards. Floors were dirty and there was a problem with mouse infestation. The standard of hygiene was made worse by an unsealed door on a room that had previously contained a dirty protest. There were piles of dead insects in the corridor.

“The apparent acceptance of very poor standards of hygiene at Holloway was made clear by the fact that the staff considered that it was acceptable and ready for occupation.”

Mr Hassall, the governor, said that there was a rolling programme of refurbishment at Holloway. Phil Wheatley, director-general of the Prison Service, said: “Since the inspection, the prison has continued to move forward.”

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