Prisoners lie in bed all day taking drugs and watching TV, says prisons chief

Plus: Home secretary accused of persisting with ‘unfair’ immigration crackdown

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent   Inmates are leaving Britain’s overcrowded jails unrehabilitated while organised gangs are making a fortune, the prisons chief has warned, the home secretary has been accused of pushing ahead with an “inhumane” immigration crackdown despite unveiling an exemption for care workers, and a Wizz Air flight from London to Sofia was diverted after receiving a bomb threat. Top stories 1 | Prisons chief on shocking state of UK jails Read more 2 | Home secretary accused of persisting with ‘unfair’ immigration crackdown Read more 3 | Fighter jet scrambled to escort London Wizz Air flight as bomb threat forces emergency landing Read more 4 | Trump makes last-ditch midterms appeal as Americans go to the polls Read more 5 | Burnham pledges £40m for Caribbean amid calls for reparations Read more Read deeper The ‘It girl’ coat celebrities adore – and how to get your own United are just another failure in Ratcliffe’s crumbling sports empire I came of age in lad culture. How do I teach my son to do better? Fort Hood survivor: Mass shooter deserves to die but not Hegseth’s way Trump tears into Zelensky: ‘Time for Ukraine to get a new president’ WATCH  Doctor explains how clocks changing impacts your health STAT OF THE DAY 830,000 More than this many lower-income families are set to miss out on the government’s £100 energy bill support due to how the scheme is targeted. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY “Netanyahu is cornered and desperate… Netanyahu must stay close to Trump. He needs this war.” Conservative US commentator Tucker Carlson has claimed Israel is pressuring Donald Trump to launch a nuclear strike on Iran as Benjamin Netanyahu looks to stay in power after last week's Israeli elections. Read more Today's top deals Shop stylish footwear, clothing and accessories and enjoy big savings in the ETQ sale. We've spotted a litre of Baileys for just £10 at Amazon – cheers! Other stories you might like Iran: The People’s Story – ‘They shot my 16-year-old daughter in the heart’ Two arrested on suspicion of murder after Halloween party stabbing Man caught in car with £14k of drugs as a lamb ate chips in the back seat avoids jail Join the conversation and follow us Download our apps: Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy policy and cookie policy