Minister vows 'immediate action' at ‘squalid’ prison

HMP Rochester needs better staff training and the refurbishment of cells

Urgent improvements are to take place at a prison where “endemic” drug use and increasing violence was found by inspectors, a government minister has said.

Staff training and the refurbishment of cells in “squalid” conditions are among the measures announced for HMP Rochester in Kent.

The prison received an “urgent notification” after concerns were raised by the Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Prisons Minister Lord James Timpson said: "We are taking immediate action to improve conditions at HMP Rochester, offering additional support for our hard-working staff and addressing the drivers of violence."

The Ministry of Justice said HMP Rochester was one of just four prisons in the last year to receive the worst possible result under the prisons inspection framework.

Inspectors found the facility was failing in its rehabilitative purpose with less than a third of inmates in purposeful activity during the working day.

The accommodation was also said to be "some of the worst conditions seen in recent years".

The prison is creating a new curriculum to get more prisoners into training and education, and priority cells, showers and windows will be refurbished immediately for staff and inmates, a spokesperson said.

The Prison Service will also assess the prison's security measures to tackle drug use and give extra urgent support to senior leaders, the spokesperson added.

The urgent notification process was introduced in 2017 to make sure immediate action was taken to address serious concerns raised by inspectors.