Serco accused of ‘petty and vindictive’ removal of artwork from court cells

A report by Lay Observers accuses Serco, a government contractor, of removing artwork from court cells across England and Wales. The artwork, created by prisoners and featuring motivational quotes, was intended to improve the often "bleak" conditions of court custody areas. Commissioned by the government's Prisoner Escort and Custody Services and initially installed by GEOAmey, the art was quickly removed from Serco-operated courts following management instructions. The report, based on hundreds of visits, also highlights ongoing systemic failures in the court custody estate, including lengthy transport times for detainees and instances of women being transported alongside men charged with sexual offenses. These findings raise concerns about the treatment and conditions of individuals held in court custody.

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