Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Skip to content

Report published 12 October 2023

Published:

A report on an independent review of progress at HMP/YOI Eastwood Park

HMP/YOI Eastwood Park

Type of inspection: Independent review of progress

Dates of review: 19 June – 16 July 2023

Summary of findings: While the prison had made good or reasonable progress in most areas  of concern identified at the 2022 inspection, inspectors found that the rate of self-harm was now the highest in the women’s estate. The number of times force had been used had increased since the inspection by 31%, and a large proportion of the incidents involved women who were self-harming or threatening to self-harm. Inspectors were very concerned to see force used against women to strip them of their clothing to replace with anti-rip clothing (designed with material that is more difficult to rip and so reduce the likelihood of making ligatures).

Points to note: Some court warrants still referred to the use of imprisonment as a ‘place of safety’ to authorise detention for acutely mentally unwell women who could have been diverted to a care setting. In the last eight months, 25 women had a warrant that specifically mentioned ‘place of safety,’ ‘own protection,’ or mental health problems as one of the reasons for imprisonment.

Read the report: HMP/YOI Eastwood Park