The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to Her Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on Lincoln prison, published
today (Tuesday 20 June).
Inspectors visited the prison in January and February 2017 and
found that, while some progress had been made since its last
inspection in 2013, it was failing to provide decent and safe
conditions. It was overcrowded and violent, with prisoners
spending too long in their cells due to staff shortages.
Violence had increased significantly, and about half of prisoners
surveyed said that they had felt unsafe in Lincoln prison at some
time. In the six months prior to the inspection, there were 126
assaults and fights – more than double the number recorded in the
corresponding period before the previous inspection.
Four men had lost their lives through suicide since the previous
inspection, but inspectors found no overarching plan to monitor
the implementation of important recommendations by the Prisons
and Probation Ombudsman. Incidents of self-injury had trebled
since the last inspection.
Inspectors could not be completely confident of how frequently
force was used against prisoners. Documents were incomplete,
incidents were not reported, and very few cases were
reviewed.
Cells lacked basic facilities, such as curtains and lockable
cupboards. Toilets were poorly screened off and many were dirty.
Some prisoners told inspectors that they slept in their clothes
because the heating did not work properly.
One in five men was released from Lincoln prison without a fixed
address. Most of them were directed to homelessness
services.
Anita Dockley, Research Director at the Howard League for
Penal Reform, said: “Put simply, this is a jail
with too few officers and too few resources, being asked to look
after too many men. While prison inspectors acknowledge prison
staff working to improve conditions at Lincoln prison, this
disappointing report shows the scale of the challenge in front of
them.
“Lincoln’s position is not unique. Only last week, we saw
inspection reports on two London prisons – Pentonville and
Brixton – that presented a similarly bleak picture.
“The new government must take bold but sensible action to save
lives by reducing the prison population. This would help to
prevent more people being swept into deeper currents of crime,
violence and despair.”
Notes to editors
- 1. The Howard League for Penal Reform
is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national
charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer
people in prison.
- 2. A copy of the Lincoln prison
inspection report will be available from Tuesday 20 June on the
HM Inspectorate of Prisons website: http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons
