Violence at one of UK's most notorious prisons sees incredible results after handing lags t-shirts

A pilot scheme of enlisting inmates to act as 'Peace Promoters' in Britain's most violent prison has seen remarkable results, after handing lags t-shirts at HMP Woodhill

Disorder in one of our most violent jails is radically reduced after lags got T-shirts with “Peace Promoter” on the back. The clothing was handed to cons at high security HMP Woodhill, whose inmates including serial hostage taker Charles Bronson.

Recipients under the Peace Promoters scheme have had specialist advice on calming each other – and an official report found there has been significantly less disruption at the Buckinghamshire jail since it launched.

It said: “Some prisoners told us these individuals had helped to de-escalate situations of potential conflict in the prison. The average rate of violence has reduced over the last six months.”

In August last year, Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor was so concerned about violence at the 600-capacity jail he wrote to the government to invoke an “urgent notification”. He said: “Many ­prisoners felt unsafe. Levels of violence between prisoners and against staff were among the highest in England and Wales.”

He added violent attacks had “risen sharply” and the use of force by prison guards was the “highest in the adult male (prison) estate”. But last week, Mr Taylor said that although violence was still high, Peace Promoters had helped cut the number of attacks.

He added: “The rate of serious assaults against staff had also reduced. The introduction of ‘Peace Promoters’ (has) been a positive initiative. The governor, her senior team and staff should be congratulated.”