HMP Erlestoke in Wiltshire had failed to tackle a significant
drugs problem - particularly with the synthetic cannabis, Spice -
which generated violence and bullying and 'a sense of
hopelessness’ among prisoners, according to a report by HM
Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP).
Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said Erlestoke – a
category C training jail with around 500 prisoners, mostly
serving life or very long sentences – had clearly deteriorated
since it was last inspected four years ago.
However, Mr Clarke added, a relatively new management team was
enthusiastic about improving the jail. HMIP recommended
that the prison should tackle its drugs problem as a priority.
Safety in the prison was not good enough, Mr Clarke
said. 'Much of the violence and bullying… was, in our
view, linked to a significant drug problem, and yet the prison
lacked an effective drug strategy. Work to confront and reduce
violence was weak and uncoordinated, and staff confidence and
competence in ensuring reasonable challenge and supervision
needed improvement.' Inspectors found that inexperienced
staff often worked on 'challenging' wings without
support from experienced colleagues.
Many prisoners trying to tackle drug addiction told
inspectors 'that the availability of drugs, coupled with the
recent smoking ban, had contributed to a widespread sense of
hopelessness, and that it was difficult to maintain recovery in
an atmosphere where so many other prisoners were regularly under
the influence of Spice.
'Prisoners also told us that the price of Spice was around half
of that for illicit tobacco, which encouraged more Spice use than
we have seen in similar prisons recently. There were frequent
medical emergencies, some very serious, resulting from Spice use,
partly due to prisoners smoking Spice without diluting it with
tobacco, as is common practice elsewhere.'
Other priorities to be tackled, inspectors said, were:
- 'Chaotic' arrangements for receiving new prisoners into
the jail. New arrivals were often left without basic items, such
as a kettle or pillow. Prisoners had to request to be taken to a
separate clothing store for basic items like socks, only to find
there were none available.
- Better promotion of equality – inspectors found Erlestoke
had 'a poor understanding of the needs and perceptions of
prisoners from minority groups.'
- Ensuring prisoners attended activities. Inspectors found 23%
of prisoners locked in cell during the working day, with
significant numbers of others not doing anything purposeful.
There was also 'unacceptably poor punctuality or non-attendance
of those meant to be at work or training.'
Inspectors did, however, note that Erlestoke remained a
reasonably respectful prison and the external environment was
good. Health care provision was improving and prisoners were more
positive that in the previous inspection about the food.
Peter Clarke said:
'Overall, and despite our criticisms, we do report on much that
was positive in the prison. The management team was relatively
new and evidenced an enthusiasm to make improvements. There was a
sense that with a little more organisation and consistency, and
with a determination to ensure policies and rules are complied
with, the prison could become much better quite quickly. Many
told us of the potential they saw in the institution. Improved
structures of accountability and supervision would also help in
sustaining improvement.'
- ENDS -
Notes to editors
- A copy of the full report, published on 07 November 2017, can
be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website
at: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons
- HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate,
inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and
treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and
the public.
- HMP Erlestoke is a category C training prison in Wiltshire
that holds just over 500 adult male prisoners. The vast majority
of those held were serving lengthy sentences, often for serious
offences, and nearly half were serving indeterminate or life
sentence.
- This unannounced inspection took place between 26-27June
and 3-7 July 2017.
