Brinsford Young Offenders' Institution is 'transformed', say inspectors

In 2014, Brinsford Young Offenders Institution, near Wolverhampton, was said by Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick to be the worst his team had found

A young offenders' institution that was strongly criticised by inspectors has been transformed, a report has said.

In 2014, Brinsford Young Offenders Institution, near Wolverhampton, was said by Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick to be the worst his team had found since he took up his post.

But when inspectors returned in February of this year, they said the prison had responded impressively.

The prison said the result was "pleasing".

'Did not feel safe'

In the inspectors' report, Mr Hardwick said the response from managers and staff was more than "we dared hope for".

He said incidents of self-harm had reduced by a third and care for prisoners was "good".

He said: "At the last inspection we were concerned the prison was not fully aware of the levels of violence that were occurring.

"At this inspection we were assured the prison had a much more accurate picture of what was happening."

However, Mr Hardwick said the number of recorded violent incidents had increased.

He said there remained a "great deal" to do.

"Whether or not this represented a real increase [it] was too high, although much of the violence was low level," he said.

"About one in five prisoners told us they did not feel safe at the time of the inspection."

Nick Hardwick said the improvements were more than he "dared hope for"

He also said substance misuse services had "markedly" improved.

He recommended the prison addressed the cause of prisoners' poor perceptions of safety and reduced the number of violent incidents.

He said: "The incidence of violence remained high and prisoners continued to feel unsafe."

Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service, said: "This is a very pleasing report and the governor and staff deserve credit for their hard work in turning Brinsford around since its last inspection.

"This report shows Brinsford is moving in the right direction and recommendations will be addressed to improve conditions even further."