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Drones and drugs flowing into HMP Garth a serious threat to safety

Published:

HMP Garth, part of the long-term and high security estate, is facing major security issues from the ingress of drugs and a breakdown in safety and security, with around a 45% increase in violence and many prisoners needing protection because of drug-related debt.

Prisoners were burning holes in their windows to allow the entry of drones laden with contraband, the smell of cannabis was rife. Sixty-three per cent of men surveyed said it was easy to get hold of drugs with one, referring to the sheer number of drones coming into the prison, describing the jail as having become an ‘airport’.

The prison’s response to the threat had been inadequate. Prisoners were damaging windows faster than they could be repaired, and oversight and searching – including accounting for the mops and brooms being used to collect drugs from drones – were weak. High levels of staff sickness, insufficient training and an unwillingness to challenge prisoner rule-breaking were all contributing to a behaviour management system that had largely broken down. Some parts of the prison were dilapidated and new arrivals told inspectors they were being forced to pay other prisoners to get missing furniture for their cells. Unsurprisingly, staff morale was poor and many officers spent their time congregating in offices rather than being out on the wings.

The governor had restricted time out of cell to reduce the levels of violence, but this meant that the prison was far from fulfilling its role as a training prison. Too many prisoners stayed locked up during the working day despite workshops running with empty spaces.

Garth holds some very serious offenders. Although the governor had a good understanding of the many challenges the prison faced, without better support from the regional team and the prison service it will continue to be a jail of real concern. It is imperative that the prison service finds a way to stem the ingress of drones to reduce the supply of drugs into prisons like Garth, so they can begin to reduce violence and get men out of their cells and into a full day’s work and training. Staff attendance and capability will need to improve significantly and without substantial investment from the prison service, drugs will continue to flow into this troubled jail.
Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

Notes to editors

  1. A copy of the full report, published on 5 November 2024, can be found here.
  2. This inspection took place between 29 July and 8 August 2024.
  3. HMP Garth is a category B training prison in Lancashire which held 816 adult men at the time of the inspection. It is part of the long-term and high-security estate.
  4. 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.
  5. Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.