Prisoners let out ‘in error’ or held illegally beyond their release date in ‘squalid’ prison, watchdog warns

The prisons inspector said conditions inside HMP Pentonville, north London, were ‘squalid’ - (PA Archive)

Criminals have been released early by mistake or held illegally beyond their release date in “appalling conditions” inside a chaotic and squalid prison, a watchdog has warned.

The chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor has issued an urgent notification to the government over the state of medium security HMP Pentonville.