Progress but more needed at jail - inspectors

There had been insufficient progress over three previous concerns, inspectors said

A prison still needs to do more to improve after criticisms last year, inspectors have said.

The fall in rates of violence at HMP Brinsford in Staffordshire was insufficient, but inmates said they felt safer, HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) stated.

However, there had been very limited progress over "purposeful activity" at the site in Featherstone near Wolverhampton.

The Prison Service said it had boosted staff numbers and was tackling violence alongside efforts to improve work and education opportunities.

An independent review of progress at HMP/YOI Brinsford took place in April, following an inspection about 10 months earlier.

A report said there had been good progress over three previous HMIP concerns - relating to inmates' experiences during their early days, access to clinical services and receiving medication.

Reasonable progress had been made on a "negative attitude" among some staff, the use of force and delays in mental health treatment.

But there had been insufficient progress over levels of violence, public protection arrangements and living conditions.

'Minimal progress'

The prison inspectorate said there had been promising work to address the culture.

Recorded rates of violence were slowly falling, there was "more time out of cell", health care attendance rates had improved and the governor and her deputy were making changes that felt "sustainable".

But prisoners' attendance at education was compromised by staff absences and course closures and "too many" inmates were not able to have a useful experience.

"Minimal progress" had been made in improving living conditions.

The prison is introducing measures to improve access to cleaning equipment, a violence reduction plan is in place and English and mathematics will be embedded into all activities.

A Prison Service spokesperson said staff were working hard to ensure the jail was a safe environment, but "we recognise there is more to do".

There was a "renewed focus on employability skills", the service added.