Watchdog finds lack of funding has 'undermined' efforts to keep drugs out of HMP Peterborough

A report on a men's prison in Peterborough has found the rate of positive drug test results among inmates has remained high.

The unannounced inspection took place at HMP Peterborough in October. Inspectors found a lack of funding to install netting above exercise yards and make other safety improvements undermined leaders’ efforts to stop drugs getting in.

They add that the quality of teaching had improved and there were now spaces for all prisoners in education, skills and work, but staff shortages meant some spaces were not used and too many men were locked in cells for longer than planned.

Assaults between prisoners had increased, but violence against staff had reduced.

An HMP Peterborough spokesperson said: “We welcome the Chief Inspector’s review of our progress and take on board fully his feedback and recommendations for improvement. Since the last review, we are pleased that the new report recognises the hard work undertaken by our team in a challenging environment across various fields such as:

*The additional steps that our staff are implementing to prevent illicit items such as drugs from entering the prison.

*The increased quality of purposeful activity to help prisoners in our care build the skills they need to secure employment upon release.

*The positive impact of our resettlement function to support remanded men and

*The significant recruitment measures being taken to improve staffing levels.

“However, we fully acknowledge that we have more to do in other areas, such as improving safety levels and increasing access to wing-based activities. Since the inspection, we have been taking action to tackle these issues. Working alongside HMPPS, we remain committed to building on the progress made.”