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Reports published 12 May

Published:

Reports published on HMP Thameside, Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre and HMP Wandsworth.

HMP Thameside

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 3 – 13 February 2025

Summary of findings: A well-regarded governor, supported by an experienced deputy, had created a more united leadership team. Staff-prisoner relationships were good and living conditions were reasonable.

Time out of cell was considerably better than at many reception jails, with prisoners unlocked for about seven hours a day, and there was a broad and well-developed programme of enrichment activities. However, too few were engaged in work or education. Levels of violence were high, and the mandatory positive drug testing rate for the past year was 25%.

Points to note: Health care was among the worst inspectors have seen in recent years. Despite being issued with an improvement notice by the Care Quality Commission more than a year earlier, there continued to be huge inconsistencies in the service provided and some critical failings.

Read the report: Thameside

HMP Wandsworth

Type of inspection: independent review of progress

Dates of inspection: 31 March – 2 April 2025

Summary of findings: A new governor had brought energy and focus to tackle safety and decency, and there was a revived sense of purpose at the jail. Substantial investment in staff and training had led to greater stability, but overall experience and capability remained low. The Trinity unit, a building outside of the main residential wings, had been turned into a working area for prisoners on the enhanced level of the incentives scheme, which was positive, but time out of cell for the rest of prisoners remained poor. There was still a long way to go to rectify the many problems identified at the previous inspection, but it was good to see progress being made.

Points to note: Rates of violence and self-harm had both decreased. Although the positive rate of random drug testing had dropped since the last inspection, it was still high, but the approach to reducing the supply of drugs had improved.

Read the report: Wandsworth

Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 20 January – 6 February 2025

Summary of findings:  Colnbrook was well led and outcomes for detainees remained reasonably good. Reception and induction arrangements were adequate, and the centre felt calm. Steps were being taken to bolster the safety team and confront a major drug problem. Arrangements for the oversight of use of force and separation were satisfactory, and support was in place for those at risk of self-harm. Access to activities was good and the range of courses available had widened following consultation.

Points to note: Staff numbers had increased at all levels, but more needed to be done to address inexperience and poor practice. Much of the centre was in need of repair, which affected detainees’ well-being, but there were plans for significant improvements in the coming months.

Read the report: Colnbrook IRC