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reduction in the prison’s population
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greater resource from safety experts to prevent
violence
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additional security measures to stop the drugs
fuelling assaults entering the prison
The Justice Secretary today (9 October 2018) published an
action plan to stabilise HMP Bedford following an Urgent
Notification by the prisons inspectorate.
Ministers set up the Urgent Notification system last year
to ensure that immediate action could be taken to rectify
serious issues identified by inspectors.
Senior experienced prison officers will be deployed to the
landings from other establishments to reintroduce a
stricter regime and mentor new members of staff. Extra
training will reinforce these efforts, ensuring newer
officers know the best way of resolving conflict,
commanding the respect of prisoners and motivating them to
attend work and education classes.
The Prison Service has transferred a further 56 offenders
out of the prison, on top of the 20 moved out since May, to
ease pressure on staff and allow the full refurbishment of
one wing.
Experts from the national safety team, including
experienced prison staff, are already in place to increase
understanding of the root causes of violence and take
action to prevent it.
More perimeter patrols, new windows with grilles and
increased searches on staff will stem the flow of drugs
entering the establishment, and staff will be working much
closer with the police to disrupt the drugs trade into the
prison. A programme of treatment and recovery for inmates
with an existing drug dependency will also be developed.
Justice Secretary said:
We placed Bedford into special measures in May before the
inspection because we knew it was facing problems. Since
then we’ve made efforts to alleviate these and today I’m
outlining further work to improve conditions.
Additional experienced officers will be brought in, we’ve
reduced the number of prisoners and are providing special
training for newer members of staff - all of which will
ensure order is restored and maintained in the long-term.
I am confident that greater security will stem the flow
of drugs, which is fuelling violence, and allow staff to
properly focus on creating a culture of work and learning
that will help turn prisoners’ lives around.
The action plan published today also outlines:
- Extra managers for the Care and Separation Unit to
improve processes and staff leadership so that the unit
operates safely and properly.
- Extra training for officers on better supporting
vulnerable prisoners and a review of early days support - a
time when we know that prisoners can be particularly
susceptible to self-harm and suicide.
- The prison will become a national pilot site for the
Clean and Decent Project, which will see experts come in to
the establishment to teach prisoners the best way of
keeping their cells clean and tidy, reducing the prevalence
of vermin and improving conditions.
The Secretary of State’s full action
plan also sets out how Bedford’s progress will be
regularly reviewed over the coming year.
The final inspection report for HMP Bedford will be
published by HM Chief Inspector later this year.
