Undercover reporter reveals lax prison security at HMP Bedford

“For two of my shifts, there was no one on the security scanners at the front,” he said.

“I walk in and flash my ID at someone behind the screen. There are airport-style security scanners with trays, but no one’s taking off their belongings because the scanners are off.

“I walk through the arch shaped scanner – which beeps – but no one is there to stop me, so I keep on going. I’m allowed through, I get my keys, and later in the day I’m within inches of prisoners.

“There is no doubt that I could have brought in anything.”

The MoJ did acknowledge that the airport-style security was sometimes unstaffed, but said: “We deliberately do not set out when it will be in operation in order to provide regular spot checks.

“However, in February it was used 91% of the time at HMP Bedford.”

A spokesperson for the MoJ said: “This reporter was employed briefly as a temporary agency worker at HMP Bedford with restricted access and duties limited to escorting prison contractors, but the Lord Chancellor is seeking urgent clarification from the Prison Service that the vetting process for such workers is appropriate.”