An over-reliance on inexperienced officers meant that inmates were getting too much control, with drugs and mobile phones plentiful, it is claimed.
The Prison Officers' Association recently warned about chronic staff shortages and retention problems.
The alert came days after Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled plans for the early release of up to 20,000 inmates to ease chronic overcrowding.
Jo Taylor spent five years as a senior prison officer at HMP Wakefield, dubbed "Monster Mansion" because it houses many notorious killers such as Levi Bellfield and Ian Huntley.
She said last month's incident - when a male convict filmed another having sex with a female prison officer while he smoked cannabis at Wandsworth jail showed the system is out of control.
She asked: "How was she in there and where were the other staff?
This story is from the July 14, 2024 edition of Sunday Express.
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This story is from the July 14, 2024 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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