Prison fails on inmate living conditions - report

Many of the already cramped cells are now doubled up to hold two prisoners, inspectors found

Dartmoor Prison is failing to provide adequate living conditions, education and work opportunities for its inmates, says an inspectors' report.

The Devon jail scored only one out of four over the issues and has been told by HM Inspectorate of Prisons that inmates are locked in their cells for too long.

Many of the already cramped cells now house two prisoners, inspectors found during a visit to the Category C jail.

They did give the prison a three out of four on resettlement, showing inmates felt quite safe and were supported quite well in preparing for release.

Dartmoor, which has 686 inmates, is one of the oldest prisons in the UK.

It was due to be closed before those plans were scrapped in 2019.

It has been kept open because of prison population pressures, but the problems had arisen because of the "costly failure by the Prison Service to plan adequately for this situation", said inspectors.

During their visit in July, inspectors also found problems with the prison buildings, including leaks and damp issues.

The prison had also been failing to deliver its purpose as a training prison, with education and work provision inadequate, their report said.

'Improve health care'

The inspectorate said it would be "very concerned" if the number of prisoners increased further, given the relatively older age of inmates and the long sentences many were serving.

Despite the prison holding a large number of people convicted of sexual offences, there were no accredited programmes to support their rehabilitation, inspectors said.

The report also outlined a number of recommendations for the governor.

These include giving prisoners more time out of their cells for exercise, taking showers and socialising; along with improving access to health care and education.

Other areas the governor needed to take action over included stopping contraband from entering the prison and ensuring fair treatment of all prisoners, inspectors said.

Health care rooms should be cleaner, prisoners should get more support in getting jobs, and facilitation of visits from family and friends should be improved, they concluded.

The inspectors said they would come back in a few years to check on progress.

The Prisons Service said it was pleased that "significant progress to improve the support available for prisoners, particularly the most vulnerable", had been recognised.

A spokesperson added: "Cells are only doubled-up where it is safe to do so, and the prison is increasing access to education programmes and employment opportunities to help offenders turn their back on crime."