HMP Wormwood Scrubs
Inspection report - Wormwood Scrubs (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Wormwood Scrubs by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 9-19 June 2025.
Wormwood Scrubs healthy prison scores (Back to top)
What we found (Back to top)
The ingress of drugs was a major problem. The security team had made improvements to windows and netting, but the reception’s body scanner was not always used, gate security was inconsistent, and staff corruption was a concern.
The prison’s strict policy of separating prisoners by wing meant that many men could not attend the most suitable activities, and their access to visits and appointments was also disrupted. Time out of cell for many men was poor. Unemployed prisoners, who made up 39% of the population, got just 1.5 hours unlocked at best.
Staff did not routinely wear or activate body-worn video cameras and governance of use of force was not rigorous enough. However, the prison was reasonably calm and ordered, and capable staff and middle managers meant the prison ran more effectively than similar jails.
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