Prisoner welfare impacted by staffing - report

HMP Winchester was placed under "urgent notification" in autumn 2024 due to "very high levels of violence" and drug problems

A report has said staffing levels at a prison are having a negative impact on prisoner welfare and progression.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Winchester also expressed concern about inmates' limited attendance at activities and access to illicit items.

The prison inspectorate placed the prison under "urgent notification" in autumn 2024 due to "very high levels of violence" and drug problems.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said it was taking action "to ensure that our hard-working staff do not face this significant pressure again".

Following the measure, the prison said staff at every level "remain responsive and adaptive in pursuit of the improvement of conditions and outcomes for prisoners".

One example was the creation of a specialised landing for neurodivergent prisoners.

But the monitoring board found staff shortages resulted in disruptions and said the prison had fallen "below Ofsted expectations in 2024-25".

The report said the current average time prisoners spent out of their cells was 2.5 hours per day for those not engaging in education classes or work.

'Over-crowded local prisons'

It said applications relating to healthcare "fell significantly" as did applications relating to accommodation.

It added that the supply of artificial opioids and cannabinoids and the use of concealable mini phones and drones "all increase the pressure placed on security" .

"The supply of illicit substances in this prison plays a part in increased violence, prisoner poor health and recidivism," the report said.

It added that about 25% - 30% of prisoners entering the178-year-old prison each month "were known from national data sources to have drug misuse issues".

Acting chair of the IMB at the prison Murray Weston called the challenges "severe and long-standing", similar to the ones faced in "many ageing, over-crowded local prisons in England".

"Staff are responding positively to improve conditions and outcomes for prisoners," he said.

"However, the board remains concerned about the low number of prisoners accessing appropriate education and activities."

The MoJ spokesperson said: "This government inherited a prison system in crisis - with crumbling infrastructure, dangerous prisons and hard-working staff under immense pressure."

They said the government was "building 14,000 prison places and reforming sentencing so our staff can focus on reducing reoffending, cutting crime, and keeping victims safe".