Addressing Systemic Issues in Wandsworth Prison

Please refer to my below emails, which have been sent to & received my NOMS in recent months. I would firstly like to thank your organisation for seeing that my step-father: Stephen Chambers- Prisoner Number: A6333DK received the books in question. Secondly, I am sincerely grateful that I have seen evidence of accountability in the Prison system from NOMS; I must admit I had felt that I had reached a brick wall that was not penetrable. Unfortunately however, I am saddened to say, that despite my previous emails of concern; the problems at Wandsworth Prison are more worrying that I had previously thought.

Once my step-father had received his books I had thought that there would be no further issues with sending 'approved ' items into the

The DVD player was ordered from the manufacturer & delivered to my Mother:- no packaging aside from the box was opened. She checked that all the items were inside the delivery box & to check the condition of the item. She has confirmed that the item was perfectly well wrapped & packaged. I am in agreement that faulty items regularly occur & should be sent back to the manufacturer for replacement. However, due to the nature of the scratches & the dent in the DVD player; I struggle to see how this would have passed the various quality control tests that businesses practice: my mother upon inspection saw no sign of breakage. In addition to the DVD player not working, the batteries are missing for the remote (instructions clearly say that the batteries were included). To further cement that damage did not occur in transit;- there are no dents, marks or anything abnormal on the box that the DVD player was delivered in. If, the DVD player had been dented in transit, the box would have sustained substantial

Ever since Stephen has been in Wandsworth Prison my family and I have been through undue and unjustified distress. I note that in the recent months the prison has experienced, hostage situations, suicides, murder, a fire caused by a prisoner, overcrowding and budget cuts. Something as simple as a DVD player or books (if in keeping with Prison rules ) as a form of mental stimulus ;could go a long way in reducing further instances & maintaining a state of calm amongst prisoners.

I am not in anyway trying to undermine the Prison system; I am merely trying to see that he is fairly treated. Could you please advise how either; we can begin a compensation claim for the DVD player within the prison or see that we can have this replaced immediately. Alternatively we can replace this item whilst the matter is being looked into further.

Ultimately I do not wish to cause any problems for Stephen nor do I want for this to take up unnecessary time for Prison Personnel that could be better utilised elsewhere. I have looked at NOMS legislation but I have not been able to find the guidelines for such an instance; perhaps I am looking in the wrong section.

I am coming to NOMS, with what I feel is a reasonable request,your service has previously helped me in my endeavours. Both myself & my family would be sincerely grateful if you could advise how this can be remedied & the steps that we should