SIR - I refer to the article regarding payouts to prisoners suffering from ill treatment while in prison custody (T&A, June 18).

The Home Office has been aware of these illicit practices in Armley, and elsewhere, over the last decade, despite many complaints and breaches of their own Government policies.

The Government's Task Force Review of drug services 1996 confirmed effective treatment programmes only work in reducing drug addiction and crime in prison if certain models of treatment are followed.

Bradford Community Health Council and others wrote various letters of complaint to Armley after complaints by patients and medical practitioners that these models of treatment were being ignored.

Home Office Ministers were aware of these concerns ten years ago but took no action to change the punitive and ineffective regimes that existed.

Public outrage should be directed at the Home Office and the Prison Service not at legitimate claims against a Prison Service not prepared to change when they are made aware of breaches of Government policy, medical professional standards, human rights and squandering huge amounts of finance on missed rehabilitation opportunities.

A public enquiry should follow.

Les Vasey, former Chairman Bradford CHC, former Bradford Drug Action Team Co-ordinator, Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon