UK prisoners being ‘tortured’ as infestation of ‘bloodthirty creatures’ feast of them
Lags at a British prison are being eaten alive as they sleep after an infestation of bed bugs hit the site. Family members have even accused staff of ‘torturing’ inmates
Bed bugs are attacking prisoners at HMP Ranby(Image: Getty Images)
Blood-sucking bed bugs are feasting on prisoners as they sleep. Lags at HMP Ranby in Nottinghamshire have complained they are being eaten alive by the critters.
Family members have accused jail staff of “torturing” inmates with the mites. One prisoner at the jail said: “One day, we witnessed a live bed bug and informed staff.
“We were given no help or closure, and had no choice but to stay in the cells with these live bloodsucking creatures all over. “One morning I woke up with a weird feeling on my neck, and when I brushed my neck I found a bed bug.
“I got it into a container in order to show staff, but they shrugged and told me that I had no choice, and I had to stay in that cell. Surely in the 21st century, prisons should not be infested.”
Another complaint was logged by the mother of an inmate, who said: “As of 8 December 2025, the damn place is still crawling with bedbugs. In this day and age, this is ridiculous! My son’s arms were covered in bites – along with the rest of his body, according to him.
“It’s really disturbing that everyone there, inmates and staff, are fully aware of the problem, and nothing is done.
“I mean, are they part of the rehabilitation? Torture them with bites and ignorance, and hope they learn the error of their ways!
“Nobody should have to endure infestations of anything, and be covered in bloody itchy bites.”
It comes after a string of infestations at the jail since 2023, with families previously banned from visiting prisoners due to the outbreak.
But the Category C men’s prison have admitted they are still struggling to get on top of the issue following complaints.
A Prison Service spokesperson said that when bugs were identified “prisoners are promptly moved from the affected cells while the issue is treated to minimise any risk to their health and safety”.
They added: “A specialist team is working with pest control to promptly remove any bed bugs found.”
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