HMP/YOI Norwich – prisoners locked up for hours due to staffing shortages

During the working day, inspector roll checks indicated that 65% of the population was locked up, which was unacceptable. Most learning and work-based activity offered was part time and many classes and workshops were operating well below capacity.

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, identified the lack of a stable and experienced staff group as a “principal cause” of the prison’s difficulties. There was a shortage of officers and in the past year the level of resignations had been very high.

The prison was also struggling to provide a safe environment. Prisons inspectors found that violence was high, as was the use of force. Levels of self-harm were also higher than at similar prisons, and there had been three self-inflicted deaths since the last inspection. Although investigations following serious acts of self-harm were comprehensive, and monthly safety meetings analysed the data, actions to understand and address drivers of self-harm were too limited.

However, there were some areas of progress since the last inspection, particularly in rehabilitation and release planning. Norwich held a diverse and complex population of remand, unsentenced, and sentenced prisoners with a high turnover. Separate analyses had been completed to understand prisoners’ varied needs in the three functions of the prison –the main reception prison, the category C trainer element and the open resettlement facility – but it still lacked an overarching strategy. Inspectors were pleased to see regular and well-attended reducing reoffending meetings, and that almost all eligible prisoners had an up-to-date assessment of their risk and needs. The offender management unit was well-resourced, sentence plans were of decent quality, and work to improve accommodation outcomes was excellent.

This was a mixed inspection. The governor had clear priorities for the jail which had been communicated well, and it was clear that some of these had been successfully delivered, although significant gaps remained. Mr Taylor commented that data could be used better to identify weaknesses and priorities but concluded: “This should not detract from the progress made in this reasonably capable institution.”

Notes to editors

1. Read the HMP/YOI Norwich report, published on 20 December 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. Norwich prison was built in 1887 on the site of the Britannia barracks home of the Royal Norfolk Regiment. It serves courts predominantly in East Anglia. The establishment has a mixture of buildings dating from 1887 to 2010, when the new A wing and activity centre was built. The prison is a complex site – it is split into three areas, each serving different functions: the reception site (main site; local prison), the category C training prison and Britannia House, which holds category D prisoners.
4. HMP/YOI Norwich is a multifunctional local prison holding remand and sentenced category B, C and D adult prisoners as well as remand and sentenced young adults.
5. At the time of this inspection, the prison held 691 prisoners.
6. Inspectors identified five examples of notable positive practice during this inspection.
7. This inspection took place 30–31 August and 12–16 September 2022.
8. Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.