-
Action plan to target violence, drugs and poor conditions at
Buckinghamshire jail.
-
Extra staff support, training and security measures to help
stabilise the prison
-
Education, rehabilitation and preparation for release to be
strengthened
The Government has launched a comprehensive action plan to
address serious failings at the jail after His Majesty's
Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) issued an Urgent Notification in
March.
Inspectors found high levels of violence, with drugs far too
easily available and some of the highest rates of self-harm in
the estate.
In response, Ministers have acted to roll out a comprehensive
plan to improve safety and conditions, strengthen staff
capability and deliver better outcomes for prisoners.
This includes a new safety strategy to better spot and support
those at risk of self-harm, while stronger security measures
including new physical barriers such as wires and window grilles
will be installed to stop the flow of illicit items using
drones.
Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Timpson, said:
The prison crisis we inherited has left too many jails struggling
with violence, drugs and poor conditions.
This action plan sets out the decisive steps we are taking to
improve safety, tackle drugs and drones, and get more prisoners
into the education and training they need to leave crime behind.
We are putting more staff on the ground and backing HMP Woodhill
with the investment it needs to improve, as we continue to fix
the broken prison system we inherited to deliver punishment that
works to cut crime.
A new living unit will also be introduced – where offenders are
incentivised to keep off substances – helping reduce the
demand for drugs. This is in addition to recruitment of
specialist staff dedicated to supporting prisoners dealing with
addiction.
The action plan also sets out refurbishments and a renewed focus
on cleanliness to improve conditions. Meanwhile rehabilitation
efforts will be strengthened through greater access to the
education and work opportunities offenders rely on to turn their
lives around.
A new governor appointed in 2025 has already begun work to
stabilise HMP Woodhill, supported by regional and national teams,
including a dedicated taskforce focused on improving performance
across the Long Term and High Security Estate.
More widely, the Government is building 14,000 extra prison
places – with more than 3100 already delivered – and reforming
sentencing to ensure punishment cuts crime and dangerous can
always be locked up to keep streets safe.
Notes to editors
- The Urgent Notification process was introduced in 2017 to
ensure immediate action is taken to address the most serious
concerns identified by inspectors.
