Letter: Veil of secrecy surrounds our one private prison

Sir: Nigel Pantling (Letters, 24 December) may be reassured to know that the Secretary of State does indeed have a representative based at this contracted-out prison to act as his 'eyes and ears'. One of my duties is, as Mr Pantling recommends, to give early warning of potential breaches of contract.

Frances Crook of the Howard League for Penal Reform (Letters, 24 December) is concerned about the reports of the torture of an inmate at this prison and his supposed forcible injection with heroin. Both the Home Office and the prison's managers would share her concern had the incidents happened. However, as yet, careful investigations have revealed no evidence that they did.

Yours sincerely,

PAT MIDGLEY

Home Office Controller

Wolds Remand Prison,

Everthorpe, North Humberside