News

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

The notorious Manchester prison has become the latest jail to receive an urgent notification for improvement after inspectors found standards had “collapsed” with filthy wings, an infestation of vermin including rats, and catastrophic levels of illicit drugs linked to organised crime with very high rates of violence.

Speech given by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to the Prison Governors' Association conference on 8 October 2024.

Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, and Charlie Taylor, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, have expressed their deep concern at declining standards in young offender institutions.

In this blog, Angus Jones, HMI Prisons Team Leader for Children and Young People, talks about the sustained failure to improve outcomes for the small number of children in custody.