Violence levels at HMP Lewes a 'significant concern'

Time out of cells was especially limited at weekends, the report said

Concerns about safety, rising violence and the amount of time prisoners spend in their cells have been raised in the latest annual report into HMP Lewes.

The Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) assessment for 2023/24 found prisoner-on-prisoner violence had risen by 67%.

However, prisoner attendance rates at work and education did improve significantly, from 30% at the beginning of 2023, to 93% in December 2023.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "The new governor is already delivering significant improvements at HMP Lewes, but we know there is much more to be done."

Nick Fairclough, an IMB member at HMP Lewes, said the increase in violence was a "significant concern".

The IMB report, which was published on Wednesday, said prison staff worked hard to give prisoners more time for activities such as work and education.

'Positive steps'

But inmates spent too long locked in their cells – about 21 hours a day for those not doing "purposeful activities".

Time out of cells was especially limited at weekends, according to the report.

The Prison Service said it was exploring options for increasing time out of cells.

It found incidents of self-harm among prisoners had risen by 27% over the reporting year and there were long wait times for healthcare appointments.

A board spokesperson said: "The board is especially concerned about the level of psychiatry provision in the prison.

"In September 2023, waiting times for mental health assessments were said to be up to 20 weeks, though the situation had eased by the end of the reporting year."

The number of prisoners also increased during the year and there were at times no room for new arrivals in the designated induction wing.

Some new arrivals were put on the wing for those who are vulnerable, the IMB said.

However, there was a 30% reduction in the number of prisoner assaults against staff.

Mr Fairclough said: "The Board does, however, recognise that positive steps are being taken to provide the men with more opportunities for work, education and other purposeful activity."