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Unpacking prisoner property: A hidden source of conflict and complaint

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Unpacking prisoner property: A hidden source of conflict and complaint (PDF, 316.0 KB)

A key findings paper by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, February 2026

What we found (Back to top)

Regime restrictions, risk management practices and individual prison resources contribute to the problems, which are worse in busy local jails and high security prisons. Prisoners regularly complain that the rules vary between establishments, with some resorting to borrowing items from other prisoners, putting them at risk of debt. There are often delays in processing disability aids and prescribed medication, which can affect prisoners’ physical and mental health.

Accessing stored property, such as smart clothes for court appearances or phone books containing family numbers, can also be problematic. Some prisoners attend court or are released without their house keys, mobile phones or bank cards, with many of these items lost in prison.

Read the press release in full