HMP Spring Hill – too many prisoners without meaningful work
Inspectors to HMP Spring Hill, an open prison in Buckinghamshire, found a safe and reasonably respectful establishment, but the prisoners held there were underemployed and unmotivated by the work, education, and activities programmes which were central to the function of the prison.
The prison held 241 men, 70 of whom were in full-time paid work, training, or education. Although leaders and managers had reintroduced almost the full range of educational and vocational courses and work opportunities, access to release on temporary licence (ROTL) was limited. Too few prisoners had benefitted from the opportunity to leave the prison for work and felt little motivation to complete on site activities.
Recovery from pandemic restrictions was playing a part in delays of ROTL. Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons said:
“When the regime reaches its final, settled state, more than half of prisoners should be out at work every day.”
Prisoners did not have a clear understanding of their curriculum pathway and their interests, skills, and career aspirations were not prioritised appropriately when allocating activities.
Accommodation was unfit for purpose. Three large houseblocks had been condemned, meaning the jail was not operating at full capacity. Prisoners’ rooms in the old and deteriorating huts were in urgent need of refurbishment, although the 40 prisoners held in the new pods installed during the pandemic had much better facilities. More of these pods were being constructed, but Mr Taylor concluded:
“Ultimately, the prison service must find the money to rebuild all the accommodation on site to provide sustainable, decent facilities for these prisoners. In category C prisons across the country, prisoners who have met the criteria are stuck waiting to get a move to category D prisons because there are not enough spaces.”
Notes to editors
1. Read the HMP Spring Hill report, published 19 August 2022.
2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. HMP Spring Hill, opened in 1953, is the oldest of the open prisons. It forms part of a two-establishment cluster with HMP Grendon.
4. At the time of this inspection, the prison held 241 prisoners.
5. Inspectors identified one example of notable positive practice during this inspection.
6. This inspection took place between 18 April and 6 May 2022.
7. Please contact media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.