‘Living in cars’: Nigerian prison staff struggle with UK housing expenses

THE CABLE 

Newly recruited prison officers in the UK — including many from Nigeria — are reportedly seen camping or sleeping in their cars to save on accommodation.  

The Telegraph reports that the recruitment of foreign workers was part of measures to address the shortage of personnel to oversee the UK’s overcrowded prisons.

According to the publication, the prison service is for the first time sponsoring skilled worker visas for overseas workers after a change in the rules enabled them to recruit from abroad.

Prison governors said many of the recruits came from Nigeria and included not only skilled workers but also those switching from other visa routes.