Latest news with #HMInspectorateofPrisons
Belfast Telegraph
23-06-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
166 drug overdoses in NI prisons in five years
It comes after the Belfast Telegraph revealed that drug seizures across our prison system have increased by 56% in the same period, with finds in Maghaberry almost doubling. Two fatalities due to overdoses in prisons here have also been recorded since 2020. Drugs, both illegal and non-prescribed medications, have long been an issue in our prisons, with high-tech x-ray body scanners installed in recent years to try to stem the flow. In 2023, Criminal Justice Inspection and HM Inspectorate of Prisons undertook an inspection of Maghaberry, our only high security prison. It found a 'serious drug problem' at the facility, which houses around 1,400 inmates. Inspectors found that 41% of prisoners surveyed indicated it was easy to get illicit drugs at Maghaberry, while more than a quarter (28%) said they developed a drug problem while incarcerated there. Last week, this newspaper revealed that drug seizures at Maghaberry have almost doubled during the last five years, with 676 drug finds in 2024, compared to 341 in 2020. In Magilligan — a medium-to-low security prison which holds male inmates with six years or less to serve — there were 420 drug seizures over this period. At Hydebank, which houses young offenders and, separately, females, drugs were found 250 times from 2020 to 2024. Across the prison system, 3,399 drug seizures were recorded over this period, with 794 last year alone, compared to 509 in 2020. Other figures show the scale of drug overdoses in our prisons. From January 2020 to last month, there were 166 overdoses – two resulting in fatalities – one in 2020 and another last year. So far this year there have been 12 overdoses recorded, while the highest annual figure was in 2021, when there were 44. Cara Hunter, an SDLP MLA, has campaigned on addiction issues and said it is 'deeply concerning' that drug overdoses continue to occur at an 'alarming' rate in our prisons. 'Our prison system owes a duty of care to those in custody and these deaths will have been devastating for the families affected,' she said. 'This underlines the urgent need to tackle drug use within our prisons and disrupt supply routes that continue to evade control. 'These deaths are a tragic reminder of the consequences of inaction and the need for an intervention. We must prevent access to drugs in custody and prioritise treatment and rehabilitation.' The Department of Health is responsible for overseeing the delivery of healthcare in prisons, including drug addiction services. 'Substance use services provided within the prisons include Start360's AD:EPT programme (Alcohol and Drugs: Empowering People Through) and the healthcare in prison clinical addictions team,' it said. 'Increased investment has been provided by the department over the past three years to support individuals with drug and alcohol issues within the prison setting. "This includes additional funding for those requiring Opiate Substitution Treatment in prison and to support individuals with the transition between prison to the community including those most at risk and with complex needs.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Youth custody crisis : Parc Prison offers rare progress amid widespread failures
Children held in English youth prisons face long cell time, little trust in staff – but Bridgend's Parc offers glimmer of hope A MAJOR report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons has exposed alarming failings across the youth justice system in England and Wales – revealing that many children held in custody feel unsafe, isolated, and unable to build basic trust with staff. The report, published on Tuesday (June 10), followed inspections at three Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) – Wetherby in West Yorkshire, Werrington in Staffordshire, and Parc in Bridgend, Wales. While conditions in the English institutions were found to be deteriorating, inspectors described Parc as a clear outlier, with more structured routines, stronger staff relationships, and significantly more time spent out of cells. CHILDREN LOCKED UP, IGNORED AND FAILED At Wetherby and Werrington, children reported being locked in their cells for up to 21 hours a day, often alone and without any meaningful conversation with staff. Many said they did not feel safe. The use of segregation was widespread, with some children spending over 100 days separated from others, in conditions bordering on solitary confinement. The report concluded that chronic staff shortages, excessive redeployment, and poor implementation of national care frameworks had eroded any chance of building positive relationships. In some cases, boys were only spoken to when being escorted between rooms. Dining alone in cells was the norm, and staff were frequently rotated, breaking continuity of care. One boy told inspectors: 'I haven't had a proper conversation with a single officer since I arrived.' PARC: A DIFFERENT PICTURE In sharp contrast, HMP & YOI Parc in Bridgend, operated by G4S, was praised for providing more stability and structure. Children at Parc typically spent 7–9 hours out of their cells on weekdays, and up to 8 hours even on weekends — double the freedom seen in English YOIs. Officers at Parc worked in consistent units, enabling them to build familiarity and trust with the boys they supervised. The report said: 'Children were out of their cells for much longer every day, the rules were well established, and relationships were stronger.' Staff at Parc had a better understanding of the Framework for Integrated Care, and children could access education, health support, and therapeutic activities. Importantly, even children placed in separation units at Parc continued to receive education and were not locked in cells all day — a standard not met in England. However, inspectors still found room for improvement at Parc. Literacy and numeracy outcomes remained below expectations, and while staff were more consistent, not all were effectively trained in trauma-informed care. NACRO: SYSTEMIC FAILURE MUST BE ADDRESSED Reacting to the report, the crime reduction charity Nacro said the youth justice system is now in a 'growing state of crisis.' Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, said: 'Self-harm, violence and isolation are all major issues in the youth estate. Children need adults they can trust – yet this report shows they are being failed. The number of children who say they feel unsafe in custody has doubled in a year. That must change.' Nacro, which operates in more than 40 prisons across the UK, including Wales, urged the Government to ensure that youth custody is used only as a last resort, and that all children in detention are given a safe and rehabilitative environment. EDUCATION FAILURES ADD TO THE PROBLEM In addition to prison conditions, the report drew attention to widespread failures in education provision within the youth estate. A separate December 2024 progress inspection at Parc noted reasonable progress on most issues, but flagged persistent shortcomings in teaching quality, literacy strategies, and reintegration planning. The education watchdog Estyn, in its annual prison report, also raised concerns about inconsistent teaching and leadership at Parc and HMP Cardiff. Despite some pockets of good practice, inspectors said many learners were not reaching basic levels of literacy or numeracy and that opportunities for purposeful education remained too limited. Inspectors recommended that education providers and prison staff work more closely together to identify learning needs, plan better lessons, and give young people meaningful qualifications before release. WEAPONS, VIOLENCE AND RISING DANGER IN ENGLAND The severity of the problems in England was underscored by new data from Wetherby, where nearly 900 improvised weapons were seized in a single year. Staff recorded over 1,100 restraint incidents, and classroom time was lost on more than 12,000 occasions due to fights, lockdowns, or unsafe conditions. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: 'This report sets out in stark terms the failure by the Youth Custody Service to create environments in which children in YOIs can form positive, appropriate relationships with authoritative, well-trained and well-supported staff.' He added: 'In 2018, my predecessor reported that children who had these relationships with staff were likely to be motivated to engage with behaviour management schemes. Seven years on, behaviour management is an increasing challenge.' WALES: A MODEL FOR REFORM? Despite Parc's relative success, campaigners warn it must not be seen as a reason for complacency. Children in Wales are still subject to the same overarching policies and pressures from the Ministry of Justice and Youth Custody Service. And while Parc offers some of the best practice in the UK, its lessons have yet to be properly implemented elsewhere. The report calls on the UK Government — and by implication, the Welsh Government in its devolved responsibilities — to: End long-term cell confinement of children Ensure every child receives at least 15 hours of education per week Improve staff training in mental health and trauma-informed care Phase out harmful segregation and separation practices Reduce custodial use and invest in community alternatives Parc is not perfect — but it is proof that a better approach is possible. While most YOIs across England continue to fail children, Wales has the opportunity to lead by example. With political will and investment, Bridgend's example could be the start of a much-needed transformation in how we treat the most vulnerable young people in custody.
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Crimestoppers campaign targets neighbourhood crime in Wales
Children held in English youth prisons face long cell time, little trust in staff – but Bridgend's Parc offers glimmer of hope A MAJOR report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons has exposed alarming failings across the youth justice system in England and Wales – revealing that many children held in custody feel unsafe, isolated, and unable to build basic trust with staff. The report, published on Tuesday (June 10), followed inspections at three Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) – Wetherby in West Yorkshire, Werrington in Staffordshire, and Parc in Bridgend, Wales. While conditions in the English institutions were found to be deteriorating, inspectors described Parc as a clear outlier, with more structured routines, stronger staff relationships, and significantly more time spent out of cells. CHILDREN LOCKED UP, IGNORED AND FAILED At Wetherby and Werrington, children reported being locked in their cells for up to 21 hours a day, often alone and without any meaningful conversation with staff. Many said they did not feel safe. The use of segregation was widespread, with some children spending over 100 days separated from others, in conditions bordering on solitary confinement. The report concluded that chronic staff shortages, excessive redeployment, and poor implementation of national care frameworks had eroded any chance of building positive relationships. In some cases, boys were only spoken to when being escorted between rooms. Dining alone in cells was the norm, and staff were frequently rotated, breaking continuity of care. One boy told inspectors: 'I haven't had a proper conversation with a single officer since I arrived.' PARC: A DIFFERENT PICTURE In sharp contrast, HMP & YOI Parc in Bridgend, operated by G4S, was praised for providing more stability and structure. Children at Parc typically spent 7–9 hours out of their cells on weekdays, and up to 8 hours even on weekends — double the freedom seen in English YOIs. Officers at Parc worked in consistent units, enabling them to build familiarity and trust with the boys they supervised. The report said: 'Children were out of their cells for much longer every day, the rules were well established, and relationships were stronger.' Staff at Parc had a better understanding of the Framework for Integrated Care, and children could access education, health support, and therapeutic activities. Importantly, even children placed in separation units at Parc continued to receive education and were not locked in cells all day — a standard not met in England. However, inspectors still found room for improvement at Parc. Literacy and numeracy outcomes remained below expectations, and while staff were more consistent, not all were effectively trained in trauma-informed care. NACRO: SYSTEMIC FAILURE MUST BE ADDRESSED Reacting to the report, the crime reduction charity Nacro said the youth justice system is now in a 'growing state of crisis.' Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, said: 'Self-harm, violence and isolation are all major issues in the youth estate. Children need adults they can trust – yet this report shows they are being failed. The number of children who say they feel unsafe in custody has doubled in a year. That must change.' Nacro, which operates in more than 40 prisons across the UK, including Wales, urged the Government to ensure that youth custody is used only as a last resort, and that all children in detention are given a safe and rehabilitative environment. EDUCATION FAILURES ADD TO THE PROBLEM In addition to prison conditions, the report drew attention to widespread failures in education provision within the youth estate. A separate December 2024 progress inspection at Parc noted reasonable progress on most issues, but flagged persistent shortcomings in teaching quality, literacy strategies, and reintegration planning. The education watchdog Estyn, in its annual prison report, also raised concerns about inconsistent teaching and leadership at Parc and HMP Cardiff. Despite some pockets of good practice, inspectors said many learners were not reaching basic levels of literacy or numeracy and that opportunities for purposeful education remained too limited. Inspectors recommended that education providers and prison staff work more closely together to identify learning needs, plan better lessons, and give young people meaningful qualifications before release. WEAPONS, VIOLENCE AND RISING DANGER IN ENGLAND The severity of the problems in England was underscored by new data from Wetherby, where nearly 900 improvised weapons were seized in a single year. Staff recorded over 1,100 restraint incidents, and classroom time was lost on more than 12,000 occasions due to fights, lockdowns, or unsafe conditions. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: 'This report sets out in stark terms the failure by the Youth Custody Service to create environments in which children in YOIs can form positive, appropriate relationships with authoritative, well-trained and well-supported staff.' He added: 'In 2018, my predecessor reported that children who had these relationships with staff were likely to be motivated to engage with behaviour management schemes. Seven years on, behaviour management is an increasing challenge.' WALES: A MODEL FOR REFORM? Despite Parc's relative success, campaigners warn it must not be seen as a reason for complacency. Children in Wales are still subject to the same overarching policies and pressures from the Ministry of Justice and Youth Custody Service. And while Parc offers some of the best practice in the UK, its lessons have yet to be properly implemented elsewhere. The report calls on the UK Government — and by implication, the Welsh Government in its devolved responsibilities — to: End long-term cell confinement of children Ensure every child receives at least 15 hours of education per week Improve staff training in mental health and trauma-informed care Phase out harmful segregation and separation practices Reduce custodial use and invest in community alternatives Parc is not perfect — but it is proof that a better approach is possible. While most YOIs across England continue to fail children, Wales has the opportunity to lead by example. With political will and investment, Bridgend's example could be the start of a much-needed transformation in how we treat the most vulnerable young people in custody.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Self-harm cases rise at Hull Prison, report finds
Incidents of self-harm have increased at HMP Hull, according to a report by the prisons inspectorate. A review in April measured progress at the jail since inspections in 2021 and 2024. HM Inspectorate of Prisons had previously found that prison bosses were not using data effectively to reduce violence or self-harm, but the latest report concluded that "reasonable progress" had been made to understand the causes of the problem, despite the rise in incidents. The Ministry of Justice said it was addressing the concerns raised in the report. Previous inspections had identified a number of concerns, including inmates being locked up for more than 22 hours a day and a lack of involvement in meaningful activities or attending education workshops. The inspectorate had also cited an increase in positive drug tests and "too many" prisoners being released with no homes to go to. The recent follow-up visit found that "concerns had been taken seriously" and staff were working hard to improve the situation. However, Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said the availability of drugs remained a "significant concern" and a threat to safety and security. He said leaders were now using a drug strategy that focused on recovery and good support. He also said the prison remained overcrowded, with cramped cells, and while there had been work to improve inmates not ending up homeless on their release from prison, the number of those released without homes to go to had not yet fallen. In conclusion, Mr Taylor said: "Leaders were committed to driving improvement at Hull and this independent review of progress indicated that their hard work was paying off in many important areas." HMP Hull houses about 900 remanded or newly-convicted men and vulnerable prisoners. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "While we have seen notable improvements since the last inspection, we fully acknowledge the challenges that remain at HMP Hull." The spokesperson added that efforts were being made to address the concerns that had been raised, including training staff to reduce the risk of self-harm and bringing in reforms to reduce pressure on prisons. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Prisoners spending too long in cells - inspector More inmates released early to stop prisons running out of space Hull Prison HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Self-harm cases rise at Hull Prison, report finds
Incidents of self-harm have increased at HMP Hull, according to a report by the prisons inspectorate. A review in April measured progress at the jail since inspections in 2021 and 2024. HM Inspectorate of Prisons had previously found that prison bosses were not using data effectively to reduce violence or self-harm, but the latest report concluded that "reasonable progress" had been made to understand the causes of the problem, despite the rise in incidents. The Ministry of Justice said it was addressing the concerns raised in the report. Previous inspections had identified a number of concerns, including inmates being locked up for more than 22 hours a day and a lack of involvement in meaningful activities or attending education workshops. The inspectorate had also cited an increase in positive drug tests and "too many" prisoners being released with no homes to go to. The recent follow-up visit found that "concerns had been taken seriously" and staff were working hard to improve the situation. However, Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said the availability of drugs remained a "significant concern" and a threat to safety and security. He said leaders were now using a drug strategy that focused on recovery and good support. He also said the prison remained overcrowded, with cramped cells, and while there had been work to improve inmates not ending up homeless on their release from prison, the number of those released without homes to go to had not yet fallen. In conclusion, Mr Taylor said: "Leaders were committed to driving improvement at Hull and this independent review of progress indicated that their hard work was paying off in many important areas." HMP Hull houses about 900 remanded or newly-convicted men and vulnerable prisoners. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "While we have seen notable improvements since the last inspection, we fully acknowledge the challenges that remain at HMP Hull." The spokesperson added that efforts were being made to address the concerns that had been raised, including training staff to reduce the risk of self-harm and bringing in reforms to reduce pressure on prisons. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Prisoners spending too long in cells - inspector More inmates released early to stop prisons running out of space Hull Prison HM Inspectorate of Prisons
