NOTORIOUS privateers are “running rings round the government,” Britain’s leading criminal justice campaigner has warned following revelations that G4S and Serco are getting £7 in every £10 spent on prisons and probation contracts.

A report published today has revealed that companies increased their grip on the sector in spite of them both being under criminal investigation for overcharging the government for curfew tags. A major union is now calling for a review of privatisation across the public sector.

The fourth UK Justice Policy Review, published by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, suggests that funding cuts and overcrowded jails are leading to growing misery and conflict among prisoners.