Reports published 16 September

HMP/YOI Hindley

Type of inspection: independent review of progress

Dates of inspection: 5-7 August 2024

Summary of findings: Hindley is a large category C prison holding many prisoners with links to organised crime. Many prisoners continued to live in poor, overcrowded accommodation. While levels of violence had reduced since the last inspection, there had been a worrying rise in self-harm. Illicit drug use remained a very serious problem, with 59% of prisoners testing positive for illicit substances in the six months before the review and in one month, April 2024, as many as 77% of random tests were positive.

Points to note: An increased number of supervising officers were providing good, visible leadership on the wings to support inexperienced staff resulting in noticeably better relationships between staff and prisoners.

Read the report: Hindley

HMP Woodhill

Type of inspection: independent review of progress

Dates of inspection: 29-31 July 2024

Summary of findings: The last inspection of Woodhill had led to an urgent notification after inspectors found serious concerns about safety and staffing shortfalls at this high security prison. At this review of progress, the prison was fully staffed with reasonable progress in most areas with respect to safety. Violence had reduced overall and, although self-harm remained the highest in the adult male estate, care for individuals at risk had improved. Progress, while commendable, was fragile and the prison will continue to need sustained support from senior HMPPS leaders.

Points to note: The prison had introduced “peace promoters”, a peer-led role where prisoners were trained to help mediate and de-escalate potential conflict.

Read the report: Woodhill

HMP/YOI Erlestoke

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 10-21 June 2024

Summary of findings: Erlestoke is a category C training and resettlement prison holding men serving sentences of over 10 years. The prison was failing to provide appropriate education and training, with key workshops such as bricklaying closed and poor attendance at education. Those not in education or training only had three hours out of their cells a day, and could only go outside into the prison’s extensive grounds for half an hour. Drugs were a serious concern, with more than 60% of prisoners saying they were easily available. Violence and self-harm were also high.

Points to note: Use of force was high. Scrutiny arrangements were not sufficiently robust and inspectors identified some examples of disproportionate use of force and an inappropriate use of PAVA.

Read the report: Erlestoke

HMP Belmarsh

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 3-13 June 2024

Summary of findings: Belmarsh is a competent prison that manages several significant operational challenges. The turnover of remand or unsentenced prisoners had increased and posed a significant challenge, but recorded violence remained similar to other reception prisons and a focus on tackling gang affiliations had helped to promote positive behaviour. Use of force had increased. Although there was enough purposeful activity to provide at least part-time employment for all prisoners, only 22% of spaces in the sample reviewed were allocated and attendance was poor. A third of prisoners were locked up during working hours and some prisoners had as little as 90 minutes a day out of their cells.

Points to note: Self-harm incidents were lower than comparable jails, but just a third of prisoners being managed under assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) felt cared for. Even when prisoners were in acute crisis, often no actions had been set to address their needs and prisoners subject to constant supervision or placed in anti-tear clothing had insufficient oversight.

Read the report: Belmarsh