Failing jail could go private

One of London's most notorious prisons faces the threat of privatisation after it was condemned for allowing racism and bullying to fester.

Staff at Wandsworth are accused of resorting to force to resolve minor incidents and of victimising inmates.

A report by the Prisons Inspectorate said the jail fails to meet basic standards and claims racism is rife.

The Home Office said in April that Wandsworth will become Britain's first Victorian jail to be contracted out to the private sector unless it shows measurable improvement. Today's findings mean it has a long way to go.

An inspection report last year found Wandsworth was "failing to meet basic standards of decency and activity for most prisoners".

Since then, said Chief Inspector Anne Owers, things had got worse for the 1,400 inmates. "Wandsworth registers serious concern on all our tests of a healthy prison."

The Prison Service's director of operations, Michael Spurr, said the jail had struggled as it ran at maximum capacity, but it could stay in public hands.

The last attempt to privatise a major London prison failed when no company was willing to take over Brixton.