Violence high and drugs 'rife' says prison report

6 hours ago

Tony FisherBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

The report revealed assaults on staff at HMP Woodhill had increased since the last inspection in 2023

PA Media A blue sign marking the entrance to HM Prison Woodhill is mounted in front of a brick building, surrounded by hedges and multiple notices, including “No Parking” and directions to visitor and parking areas. — The report revealed assaults on staff at HMP Woodhill had increased since the last inspection in 2023

A full report into conditions at a high security prison has revealed concerning levels of violence and "rife" drug use.

After an inspection in March, HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes was urgently put into special measures for the second time in three years.

A detailed report following that visit has now been released. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, said the category B jail was a "cause for deep concern" and "fundamental issues" remained "unresolved".

The Ministry of Justice has previously said specialist staff, tougher disciplinary action and bolstered security at Woodhill would reduce violence, combat drugs and improve safety

Inspectors saw a prisoner under constant supervision in a cell that contained evidence of blood from a previous self-harm incident

HM Inspectorate of Prisons A small, cluttered prison cell with a bed, chair, and desk which is strewn with rubbish and personal items, while dark blood stains are scattered across the floor and a sheet of paper, suggesting a recent disturbance. — Inspectors saw a prisoner under constant supervision in a cell that contained evidence of blood from a previous self-harm incident

The HM Inspectorate of Prisons report revealed assaults on staff had increased since the last inspection in 2023 and many prisoners said they felt unsafe.

Officers, it said, frequently lacked the competence and confidence to enforce basic rules, and there were poor staff-prisoner relationships.

Drugs were rife, with 41% of prisoners testing positive in random mandatory tests, and three drug-related deaths in the last two years.

Self-harm remained among the highest in the adult male estate, with a third of prisoners locked up during the working day.

Activity sessions were frequently cancelled and the quality of education and work on offer was not good enough.

Staff shortages at the jail were "having a disastrous effect" with urgent hospital treatment for prisoners delayed, the report said.

Many high-risk men were leaving the jail, which had 527 inmates at the time of the inspection, without proper resettlement plans in place.

Around a third of all violent incidents involved the use of weapons and many of them had been made from hard plastic and metal from the back of in-cell televisions

HM Inspectorate of Prisons A makeshift weapon with blue cloth wrapped around one end. It is placed next to a ruler indicating how long it is. — Around a third of all violent incidents involved the use of weapons and many of them had been made from hard plastic and metal from the back of in-cell televisions

Mick Pimblett, Deputy General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said that "violent attacks on staff at this jail are the worst in the long term high secure estate".

He added: "This, combined with the easy availability of drugs, high levels of self-harm, lack of educational opportunities and poor living conditions are symptomatic of a system in crisis."

After the inspection in March triggered urgent action, in April the government launched a comprehensive action plan to address serious failings at the jail.

Taylor said that "substantial and sustained improvement" was needed.

He added that "a new governor had a clear understanding of the most pressing problems and was beginning to take action".

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