HMP Stafford

What we found

This was a positive inspection with outcomes for prisoners rated good or reasonably good in all areas. The governor had introduced greater stability to the prison and set out clear priorities. The prison was clean, staff-prisoner relationships good, the atmosphere safe and calm, the quality of education much better than normally seen, and the rate of drug taking low. A unique specialist care unit, offering support for patients with specific rehabilitation goals and for those needing palliative or end-of-life care, was one of several examples of positive practice.

Points to note: More needed to be done to ensure staff understood prisoners’ offences, and what was needed to reduce their risk before release. There was not enough suitable work in prison industries, and gaps in the mental health and psychosocial substance misuse service. A lack of capacity meant prisoners and families struggled to book visits.