Norwich Prison told to improve after inspectors find staff shortages and high rates of violence
Prison inspectors have issued a list of improvements needed at the Category B jail
Bosses at HMP Norwich have been told to make a range of improvements after prison inspectors discovered high rates of violence and short staffing at the jail.
The Category B/C men's jail, which holds appoximately 700 people, had a surprise visit from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in October.
A report has now outlined 13 'key concerns' about conditions at the prison, six of which prison bosses are being told to treat as a priority.
Among the urgent issues is a shortage of staff, meaning prisoners are spending long periods of time locked up in their cells.
Levels of violence were deemed to be 'extremely high' and rising, with no clear plan to tackle the issue.
There was also a major problem with levels of self harm among inmates, with 'too little' being done to address the situation.
In his report Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: "Safety outcomes were still not sufficiently good, a judgement informed to a great extent by the high number of violent and use of force incidents, and the rise in the number of segregated prisoners."
"Three prisoners had tragically taken their own lives since we last inspected and self-harm was higher than at comparable prisons.
"We did, however, find some improvements already in place to address these concerns, as well as other steps being taken to make the prison safer."
Another issue was limited access for prisoners to either work or study opportunities, leaving many locked up without anything meaningful to do.
Prisoners' phone calls were not always being monitored, potentially posing a risk to people on the outside.
Other concerns centred around access to healthcare, library facilities, careers advice, visits and educational courses.
The Prison's Service has pledged to make improvements. In the report Charlie Taylor wrote: "The governor spoke energetically about his priorities for the prison, and these had been communicated clearly across establishment."
"The findings from our inspection suggested these priorities were being delivered, although some aspects were too aspirational and did not focus sufficiently on deliverable targets.
"Self-assessment and future planning might also have been better informed by a more considered use of the data – which were otherwise analysed very well within the prison.
"This, however, should not detract from the progress made in this reasonably capable institution."