Lincolnshire inmates get £16k compensation
Lincolnshire prisoners have been awarded compensation for personal injury they have sustained and for periods of unlawful detention.
New figures reveal that a total of £16,365 has been paid out in the last two years on compensation claims at HMP Lincoln, Morton Hall, near Swinderby, and North Sea Camp.
Data released under the Freedom of Information Act shows that HMP Lincoln inmates got £7,900 in compensation in 2008/09.
£4,500 of the said compensation claims was paid out for personal injuries sustained by inmates.
A further £3,400 was paid out for unlawful detention where prisoners were detained in cells for longer than required.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Each litigation is dealt with on its merits and, as far as the evidence allows, all claims are robustly defended."
He also said the National Offender Management Service successfully defends significantly more civil compensation claims than are settled.
"Such claims are only settled on the basis of strong legal advice from the Prison Service's appointed solicitors and/or barristers."
Prison reformers are of the opinion that people with criminal convictions should have their public liability compensation payout reduced due to their past behaviour.
They also added that the real issue is that prison conditions are bad enough to generate these kinds of compensation claims.
Updated on 04/02/2010