"Urgent action" been taken at HMP Woodhill after August inspection
A number of measure have been put in place in response to a report released today
HMP Woodhill is said to have taken "urgent action" after a visit from inspectors in August 2023.
A report released today (November 28), highlights the finding from the inspectors visit earlier this year.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) previously visited the Milton Keynes prison in 2021, with their August visit to see whether things had improved, stayed the same or declined.
Inspectors found that prisoners were not kept safe, as well as not getting enough help and support from staff. The report also noted that the prison was dirty.
Other findings in the report included prisoners being locked up for too long, with little to do, and not enough help to get them ready to leave HMP Woodhill.
Inspectors said they wanted changes to be made, which would result in prisoners feeling safe and more being done to stop fights and bad behaviour, as well as those who might hurt themselves to get more support.
Other improvements HMIP were keen to be acknowledged included prisoners having more time out of their cells and having key work and more time doing activities. Better teaching, better care when arriving at the facilities, and less force on prisoners by officers were all also listed.
HMIP Inspectors also want prisoners complaints to be dealt with faster and for the prison to listen to what they have to say, as well as getting more information about jobs and to have cleaner segregation.
How have HMP Woodhill responded?
A Prisons Service spokesperson said:
“We have taken urgent action since this inspection to improve safety, security and living conditions at HMP Woodhill including bringing in specialist staff to support prisoners at risk of self-harm.
“The population of the prison has been temporarily reduced so safety and time out of cell can be addressed using existing resources, while longer-term improvements to education, employment classes and conditions will help offenders get the skills they need to turn their backs on crime.”
The prison already has taken several steps towards improvements, including employing two New Colleague Mentors, dedicated to helping new starters settle into working in a prison in their first weeks and months in post, cell condition surveys to identify necessary repairs and allowing for industrial-grade cleaning to take place, as well as preparing to hire an Education, Skill and Work Manager to improve prison education and to enhance the time prisoners spend outside of their cell.
In total, eight new staff members will be joining HMP Woodhill, including four additional Prison Safety team staff.
Enhanced Suicide and Self-Harm Training is also being provided to all safe, as well as rolling out PACA - a synthetic pepper spray - in the adult male estate to protect staff and prisoners from serious violence.
The Ministry of Justice also say that staff levels have been increased, with the national picture in prisons improving, as well as higher staff retention and improved starting salaries for officers.