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HMP Rye Hill

Published:
Open document

Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Rye Hill by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (20–21 August, 2–13 September 2024)

Rye Hill healthy prison scores

What we found

Even with low levels of violence, Rye Hill continued to further improve safety. Prisoners identified as high-risk had preventative support and segregation was used sparingly. Prisoners felt staff treated them with respect and prisoner-led initiatives were integral to the jail’s success. There was an impressive focus on getting prisoners into employment, accompanied by an active reading strategy.

Points to note: Unlike in public sector prisons, interviews for prison officer roles at Rye Hill were face-to-face and there was a longer training programme with better mentoring. Inexperienced staff felt well supported and confident in their roles. The under-resourcing of staff to escort prisoners to the local hospital had been a longstanding issue that remained unaddressed, and the mental health team still had no allocated consultation rooms for confidential assessments and treatment.