HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall

What we found

The regime lacked purpose. During the working day, 30% of prisoners were locked in cells and the regime at weekends was even worse. Too many prisoners were unemployed and there were not enough activity places for the population. On some wings, officers failed to enforce basic rules or maintain standards of cleanliness, and while violence had been reducing, disciplinary procedures, use of force and segregation had all increased and self-isolating prisoners needed more support to reintegrate into the main prison population.

Points to note: Mandatory drug tests showed 45% of prisoners were actively using drugs, with the prison lacking the resources to tackle this. Work to support contact with family had improved but was still too limited; however families of prisoners on the offender personality disorder pathway could visit their relative’s cell and residential areas four times a year to allay their fears and increase their understanding of the therapeutic process.