The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to Her Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on Hewell prison, published today
(Tuesday 10 January).
Inspectors visited Hewell in August and September 2016 and, while
noting some improvements, they found that it remained a prison
with “many challenges and areas of serious concern”.
Levels of self-injury had risen, and four prisoners had taken
their own lives since the previous inspection, which had been
conducted in July 2014. Inspectors found that the prison “had not
applied itself with sufficient determination” to implement
recommendations made by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
following investigations into these tragedies.
The inspection found that first night arrangements for men
arriving at the prison were chaotic, with staff overwhelmed and
prisoners feeling unsafe.
Hewell’s segregation unit was found to be in a “terrible” state.
Many cells around the prison were overcrowded or in a similarly
poor condition. The inpatient facility in health care was
adjudged to be very poor.
Inspectors found too many prisoners locked in their cells during
the working day, but most had access to some learning and work
opportunities.
Conditions were better at The Grange, an old country house linked
to the main prison, which operates as an open prison holding 200
prisoners. Inspectors found that it was safe, respectful, and
ensuring reasonably good regime and resettlement opportunities.
Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard
League for Penal Reform, said: “No one should be so
desperate while in the care of the state that they take their own
life.
“Four men had lost their lives to suicide in Hewell in the two
years between this inspection and the previous one, and it is
alarming that recommendations made to prevent further tragedies
have not been implemented with sufficient rigour.
“Today’s report is the latest in a long line of inspections that
make clear the need for urgent reform of the prison
system.Allowing the prison population to grow unchecked while
cutting resources has created a toxic mix of violence, death and
human misery.
“Solving the problems behind bars will require bold action to
stop sending so many people to these failing institutions, where
they are swept away into deeper currents of crime.”
