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Statement on Urgent Notification for prison with highest suicide and self-harm rates in England and Wales

Published:

Yesterday, the Chief Inspector of Prisons wrote to the Secretary of State for Justice invoking an Urgent Notification for Exeter Prison.

Last week we completed an unannounced inspection of HMP Exeter which left us so concerned for the safety of those detained that we have written to the Secretary of State for Justice to invoke an Urgent Notification. This is the second consecutive Urgent Notification for Exeter – the first time we have had to do this for an adult prison.

We previously issued an Urgent Notification for Exeter in 2018 when our inspectors found similar concerns about the safety of prisoners. Despite assurances from the then Secretary of State that improvements would be made, Exeter remains a dangerous place for those detained there. The rates of suicide and self-harm are the highest in England and Wales for this type of prison, and standards have also declined in health care.

This situation is unprecedented and we expect immediate and urgent action to be taken. We look forward to hearing how the Secretary of State proposes to address our concerns.

Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

Notes to editors

  1. The Urgent Notification process was introduced in 2017. Since then it has been invoked 11 times, including this occasion. We previously issued an Urgent Notification for HMP Exeter in 2018.
  2. An Urgent Notification is not an inspection. It is a process that we invoke if we are particularly concerned about outcomes for detainees. It requires us to write to the Secretary of State for Justice within seven calendar days of completing an inspection setting out our concerns. We also tell the governor of the prison that we are doing so. The Secretary of State then has 28 days to reply to us setting out an action plan of improvement. Find out more about Urgent Notifications.
  3. 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.
  4. The inspection of HMP Exeter took place between 31 October and 11 November 2022. A full report from that inspection will be published in due course.
  5. HM Inspectorate of Prisons carries out unannounced inspections of places of detention at least every six years, usually every two to three years.
  6. Please contact media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information, but please note we will not be making any further statements or taking interviews at this time.