Violence and self-harm soar at prison - watchdog

The report said the facility was still "safe" for prisoners

A prison in Kent has seen a "considerable rise" in violence and self-harm, a watchdog has said.

The Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) found several other concerns at HMP Rochester, including failing infrastructure.

But the IMB said the facility provided a "decent environment", with prisoners treated "fairly and humanely".

A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson said the government was taking "immediate action to get a grip of the situation" inside British jails.

The IMB report found inexperienced prison officers, a lack of trainers and other staff shortages were continuing to impact the jail.

Reoffending rates could not be reduced unless there was support for all prisoners who had completed their sentences, it added.

The number of prison officers at Rochester increased by 17% between March 2023 and March 2024, according to the MoJ.

'Prolific self-harmers'

Surging violence was due to an increase in prisoners with backgrounds in serious crime, who in the past would not have been suitable for Rochester, the IMB said.

"Much of the violence is caused by drug-related debt and intimidation, and, for the first time, gangs," inspectors wrote.

Increasing numbers of prisoners were arriving at the facility with a history of self-harming, while some inmates were "prolific self-harmers", they added.

An MoJ spokesperson said every prison officer had access to a body-worn video camera while on shift to help keep them safe and provide valuable evidence if violence does occur.

The IMB reporting period was for the year up until April 2024.