Category: Press notices and releases
HMP Winchester: drugs and violence highlight systemic failings in a persistently underachieving prison
The Chief Inspector of Prisons has called for more support and investment to halt the serious decline in safety and security at Winchester prison. During an inspection in October, Charlie Taylor found such concerning conditions at the jail that he issued an Urgent Notification for improvement to the Secretary of State.
Drones dropping drugs and weapons into high security prisons are a threat to national security
The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, has called for urgent action to tackle drones which are frequently bringing in drugs and weapons to prisons holding some of the most dangerous men in the country, including terrorists and organised crime bosses.
HMP Kirkham: boredom and lack of activity contributing to highest drug use in the open estate
Far too few prisoners at HMP Kirkham, an open prison in Lancashire, were able to get the opportunity to work, and men said they were frustrated and bored, with little to fill their time. Many were using drugs, with the positive mandatory drug test rate the highest in the open estate at 25% and inspectors frequently smelt cannabis as they walked around the jail.
Report published 2 December
Reports published 25 November
Reports on inspections of HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall and HMP Peterborough (Men)
Report published 18 November
Report published on an inspection of Brook House Immigration Removal Centre.
Children being failed in establishments dominated by violence, disorder and lack of education
More children in custody felt unsafe than last year, and fewer said they were getting any education, according to an annual review by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. The review, which analysed survey findings from children living in young offender institutions (YOIs) and secure training centres (STCs) in England and Wales in 2023-24, found that children spent the majority of their time locked in their cells, with little done to address their offending. When they were able to mix with other children on the wings, this was often marred by conflict and violence.