Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said today the jail was still in a "fragile" state. : It was previously stated by Justice Secretary David Gauke that control could be returned to private firm G4S. The Ministry of Justice last year took over management of HMP Birmingham, also known as Winson Green Prison, after inspectors found it was in "an appalling state” with widespread violence, prisoners using drugs and poor control by terrified staff. Last week, Justice Secretary David Gauke refused to rule out handing it back to G4S, when he was asked about the future of the prison.