HMP Lewes – squalid conditions, rising self-harm and alarmingly little time out of cell
Inspectors returning to HMP Lewes for an independent review of progress in February were disappointed to find that, far from improving, conditions at the jail had deteriorated since the full inspection.
At the earlier full inspection, in May 2022, inspectors had raised concerns about squalid conditions, rates of violence, staffing levels, care for vulnerable prisoners, health care and the time prisoners were spending locked in their cells.
Eight months on from the full inspection, our latest visit found a worrying lack of overall progress at Lewes. Time out of cell was among the worst we have seen outside pandemic restrictions, and we were left concerned for prisoners’ well-being. It was notable that the number of calls to the Samaritans was escalating. Without significant further action to stabilise officer numbers, this situation was unlikely to improve.
About half of the men at Lewes still weren’t allocated to education or employment meaning they spent up to 23 hours a day locked in their cells. Library access was also very poor – about 80% of planned library sessions had been cancelled in the month before the review (January 2023).
Levels of violence continued to be high, and staffing levels remained such a problem that members of the safety team were frequently deployed on wings meaning even serious violent incidents were not always investigated or acted on promptly.
Rates of self-harm had risen. Calls to the Samaritans had also increased, although prison leaders were unaware of this until inspectors requested the data. Men in crisis told inspectors they felt uncared for, and significant evidence supported this. One prisoner known to be at risk for suicide or self-harm was being held in a cell with broken glass at the windows, presenting an obvious risk of serious harm.
The prison had made efforts to improve cleanliness, but living accommodation remained poor and many toilets within them were in an unacceptable state. Given how long prisoners were spending locked in their cells, this was particularly concerning.
Notes to editors
- Read the HMP Lewes report, published on 5 April 2023.
- HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
- HMP Lewes was built in 1853 and is a category B reception prison, with the primary function of holding prisoners from courts in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. It holds up to 624 prisoners.
- Inspectors identified no examples of notable positive practice during this independent review of progress.
- This visit took place between 20-22 February 2023.
- Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.