Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough, visited Gartree Prison in Market Harborough on Friday 19th October, following an invite from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).

During the visit, Neil took part in a roundtable discussion with prison staff, including Governor Ali Barker, followed by a tour of the complex with members of the IMB. The Category B prison holds approximately 700 inmates.

Neil said, “I’m very grateful to the Officers, Governor and IMB members for taking the time to show me around and share further information with me about their respective roles at the prison.

We had a useful discussion covering a number of areas such as modernising the estate, the impact of new technologies and drugs as well as working conditions. The staff at the prison work incredibly hard under challenging and pressured conditions and I’d like to pay tribute to them for their important work. I will be taking forward issues raised with me, with the Ministry of Justice to ensure their voices and representations are heard in Westminster.

I’d also like to thank the IMB volunteers for their work and the important role they play, including reporting directly to the Secretary of State on how well the prison has performed.”