HMP/YOI Portland – impressive progress but some gaps in mental health provision
Inspectors returning to Portland found the prison in a better state than during a troubling visit in 2019. At that time, the jail was not keeping prisoners safe or providing decent living conditions. A new governor, appointed in 2020 and with a strong understanding of the issues facing the prison, had carried out good work to begin to transform the jail. However, some concerning gaps in mental health support, violence and self-harm reduction, and purposeful activity remained.
Portland had responded well to the problem of recruitment and retention plaguing the prison estate and all officer posts were full. Leaders had also successfully challenged and begun to change the staff culture at Portland, improving consultation and addressing negative behaviour.
Despite the efforts made in recruitment, there was an acute shortage of mental health staff, which was particularly concerning given the high level of mental health need reflected in our survey of prisoners. Self-harm had increased by 15% since the last inspection and the prison had not fully achieved the recommendations made by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman following the two self-inflicted deaths since 2019.
Very few prisoners were unemployed, which was positive, but most activity places were only part-time. Prisoners were frustrated by the low wages, especially as the price of canteen goods had recently gone up. This was concerning given the high level of deprivation among the population; 39% were care leavers, few of whom were getting money sent in and thus relied heavily on their prison wage.
Leaders had recognised that the high proportion of young people at the prison would have different learning needs and had considered these when planning the curriculum. However, access to qualifications was poor, as was access to functional skills classes.
Portland has come a long way since our last inspection and the staff team should be proud of the progress they have made. Leaders will need to maintain focus on the prison’s primary role as a training and resettlement jail, in which men are working on or learning the skills and habits that they need to be successful when they are released.
This means a much larger proportion in full-time education or work in a regime that better prepares prisoners for eventual release. In turn, this could lead to less debt, fewer incidents of violence and improved mental health, particularly if the prison can overcome difficulties recruiting enough mental health staff.
Notes to editors
- Read the HMP/YOI Portland report, published on 4 November 2022.
- 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.
- Portland was originally built in 1848 to hold convicted prisoners and has a long history as a prison holding young offenders – it was a borstal from 1921 and a young offender institution from 1988. In April 2011 it began taking adult prisoners.
- HMP/YOI Portland is a category C male resettlement and training prison for adults and young adults from age 18 upwards.
- At the time of this inspection, the prison held 512 prisoners.
- Inspectors identified four examples of notable positive practice during this inspection.
- This inspection took place between 25 July and 1–5 August 2022.
- Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.