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Category: Press notices and releases

HMP Winchester: drugs and violence highlight systemic failings in a persistently underachieving prison

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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.

Report published 20 January

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Report on an inspection of HMYOI Parc

Drones dropping drugs and weapons into high security prisons are a threat to national security

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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

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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.

Reports published 9 December

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Reports on inspections of HMP Five Wells and HMYOI Wetherby

Report published 2 December

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Report published 26 November

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Report on an inspection of HMP Rye Hill

Reports published 25 November

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Reports on inspections of HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall and HMP Peterborough (Men)

Report published 18 November

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Report published on an inspection of Brook House Immigration Removal Centre.

Children being failed in establishments dominated by violence, disorder and lack of education

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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.