The embattled Governor of Wandsworth Prison, Andy Davy, will address a public meeting next month in response to outrage over conditions at one of the UK’s most controversial jails.
The meeting, organised by the Wandsworth Prison Improvement Campaign (WPIC), will take place on 7 May at St Albans Church in Wandsworth, according to Inside Time, and is expected to draw a crowd of campaigners, former inmates, justice reform advocates and concerned residents.
Mr Davy, who took over as governor in June 2024, inherited a facility plagued by years of scandal, neglect and systemic failure. His predecessor, Katie Price, resigned in May last year following a series of catastrophic incidents—including the high-profile escape of terrorism suspect Daniel Khalife, who fled the Category B prison by clinging to the underside of a food delivery van.
The escape triggered widespread condemnation and ultimately led to a scathing report by Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor, who described the institution as “a pit of deaths, drugs, and despair” and said he had observed at Wandsworth “a degree of despondency amongst prisoners that I have not come across in my time as Chief Inspector.”
Further investigations into Wandsworth Prison revealed shocking details: squalid living conditions, with prisoners enduring infestations of rats, pigeons and cockroaches, unreliable access to heating, hot water, and basic hygiene facilities. Reports also highlighted systemic medical neglect, a shortage of clean clothing and underwear, and restricted access to books.
In July, the prison made headlines again after the death of a former Metropolitan Police detective in his cell. In August, the prison was described as “inhumane,” citing accounts of violence, medical delays, and extreme psychological stress among inmates.
The prison even hit the tabloids after a female prison officer was filmed having sex with an inmate. She later pleaded guilty to misconduct.
WPIC campaigners
WPIC, founded in early 2024 by former Quaker chaplain Liz Bridge, has grown into a leading voice demanding reform. In February, the group was invited to visit the prison. In their published report, WPIC noted improvements in cleanliness and prisoner access to time out of cells, stating: “Progress is slow.”
They also raised ongoing concerns around broken infrastructure, long waits in reception, difficulties in sending clothes for court appearances, and inadequate healthcare access. One prisoner reportedly told the group he had not seen a neurological clinician in three years.
Alongside Governor Davy, the 7 May meeting will feature a panel including Adrian Usher, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman; Gen Glaister, a former prison officer and author; Natasha Porter, CEO of Unlocked Graduates; and Errol McGlashan, a former prisoner and award-winning poet and performer.
The public meeting takes place at 7pm on Wednesday 7 May at St Albans Church, St Ann’s Hill, SW18 2RS. Entry is free and open to all.
