HMP Bedford: Extra staff deployed at 'most violent prison'

A weekly Use of Force scrutiny review panel has begun at the prison which reviews all incidents where force is used against inmates

Extra staff have been deployed to a prison with the highest levels of violence in the country as part of urgent measures to improve conditions.

In November HM Inspectorate of Prisons issued HMP Bedford Prison with an urgent notification for improvement.

The Ministry of Justice said two senior leaders have been introduced to help with the complex causes of violence and self-harm at the prison.

Drug testing will also be reintroduced to cut drug-related violence.

Rat-infested and mouldy

Inspectors visited the Category B reception prison between 30 October and 9 November.

Their published report said Bedford was rat-infested, with inmates held in mouldy cells with broken windows for up to 23 hours a day.

The prison was issued with an urgent notification for improvement which gave the secretary of state 28 days to respond and set out plans for long-term change. 

It is understood more cleanliness and pest control checks are being carried out and a new segregation unit is being built and will open in the spring.

A review of prisoner induction is being carried out to ensure inmates' needs are met on arrival.

Plans have also been made to deliver maths and English training to 50% more prisoners from April.

Levels of violence in Bedford are higher than any other prison in the county

The report claimed Bedford had the highest levels of violent assaults against staff in adult male prisons in England and Wales.

It said violence rates were higher than at HMP Woodhill, which also received an urgent notification in August.

Prisons minister Edward Argar said he was "deeply concerned" about the Inspectorate's findings.

"The experienced staff we have brought in will help reduce violence and improve safety, following the improvements to the prison's living conditions we've already made".