The Audio Long Read Death on the inside: as a prison officer, I saw how the system perpetuates violence
Jan 30, 2026
A former officer recounts shocking cell violence, overdoses and the strain of delivering death notifications. The story examines rising assaults, failing support systems and overcrowding that fuel repeated harm. It contrasts high-security realities with quieter moments where education and dialogue helped reduce conflict.
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Cell Bell That Saved A Life
- At 6am Alex South found three men in an overcrowded cell after a violent attack left one near death.
- The top-bunk prisoner had the courage to press the cell bell, and staff actions likely saved the victim's life.
How A Murder Changed Officers' Habits
- Neil described attending the murder at high-security HMP Full Sutton and the shocking depravity he encountered.
- Alex South remembers how such incidents changed the way officers carried keys and checked angles.
Systemic Failures Fuel Prison Violence
- Violence, overcrowding and understaffing have transformed rare prison murders into regular occurrences.
- Systemic failures, not just individual errors, drive many recent crises like mistaken releases and frequent assaults.