Politics

Covid outbreak at paedo pop star Gary Glitter’s prison causes town to have fifth worst infection rate in England

PAEDO pop star Gary Glitter’s sex-offender-only prison has been gripped by a “serious” Covid outbreak – landing the town at number five for the worst infection rates in England.

HMP The Verne, on Portland reported 927 cases per 100,000 people last week.

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120 inmates in the Category C prison tested positive for the virus – it is not yet known if Glitter is included in the number[/caption]

The prison, which is for sex offenders only, remained Covid-free in the first[/caption]

Underhill and The Grove, a council area on Dorset’s Isle of Portland has an infection rate over 10 times higher than the whole of Dorset.

According to Department of Health data that breaks the country down into 7,000 postcode-based areas, only four other areas in England had been hit with bigger outbreaks.

The BBC reported that 120 inmates in the Category C prison tested positive for the virus, and it is not yet known if Glitter is included in the number.

The outbreak has resulted in staff shortages and has created “difficult” working conditions, with some workers pulling double shifts.

The prison avoided the virus in the first wave of the pandemic, however the current outbreak, which is classified as “severe” has raised concern for the health and safety of older inmates.

IMB chairman Chris Miller said: “Staff in care homes in the community have been a priority group for vaccination whereas prison officers, who in many cases are doing exactly the same job, have not received vaccines.

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“It’s something we have taken up with government.”

Inmates are still getting three meals a day, despite staff under pressure.

The Ministry of Justice said: “Our priority is to limit the spread of the virus and protect the lives of those who live and work in our prisons.

“We have taken precautionary measures at Verne, in line with public health guidance.”

Glitter made headlines at the start of the month when he was given the life-saving jab above the staff who look after him and his victims.

He was one of the first lags to be given the vaccine – which enraged justice campaigners.

Sources said last night that prisoners were not being prioritised ahead of the general public or jumping the queue.

Sex offenders are likely to be among the first to get the jab as they form a large part of the older prison population.

A source said: “Many have been jailed in recent years for horrific crimes dating back decades. You have some prisons where there’s a significant group of elderly sex offenders all in their 70s and 80s.

“Because of their age, they will get the vaccine first.

“But if you’re a prison officer looking after Glitter and you haven’t had the jab, you’re not going to be happy.”

Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, is serving 16 years for attempted rape, indecent assault and having sex with a child under 13.

David Spencer, Director of the Centre For Crime Prevention, blasted: “There are plenty of key workers and vulnerable people still to receive their jab.

“It is wrong to single out criminals ahead of them. This decision needs an urgent rethink.”