News

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

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.

In September, a very concerning inspection of HMP Rochester led Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, to write to the Secretary of State to invoke the first Urgent Notification for improvement at a category C prison. Today, the full report from that inspection further outlines the dilapidated accommodation, rising violence and self-harm, widespread illicit drug use, and the lack of purposeful activity or risk reduction work inside the jail.

HMP Garth, part of the long-term and high security estate, is facing major security issues from the ingress of drugs and a breakdown in safety and security, with around a 45% increase in violence and many prisoners needing protection because of drug-related debt.

Reports on inspections of HMP/YOI Drake Hall and HMP/YOI Hatfield.

Inspector Jonathan Tickner reveals how our recent inspection of Drake Hall in Staffordshire was a reminder of the good work that can still be achieved with women in prison, despite the current challenges in the system.

Winchester prison had deteriorated to such an extent that the Inspectorate of Prisons has issued an Urgent Notification, with prisoner safety at the local and resettlement jail seriously undermined by very high levels of violence, self-harm and drug use, and some very poor accommodation standards.

Inspectors returning to HMP Bedford found tentative progress, following a shocking inspection in 2023 which led the Chief Inspector to invoke the Urgent Notification protocol for the second time at the prison. However, they warned there was still much more to do to break its long cycle of poor inspection reports.

Report on an inspection of short-term holding facilities at Western Jet Foil, Manston and Kent Intake Unit

Report on an inspection of HMP The Verne