Leicester prison under pressure

Rapidly rising numbers of men sent to prison has increased the pressure on prison managers struggling to provide safe and decent conditions in HMP Leicester. The Independent Monitoring Board in its annual report published today (23 July 2024) is concerned about increased rates of violence and self-harm. Most prisoners are now sharing ageing cells designed for one person, where they must eat, sleep and use the toilet and are confined for at least 19 hours a day. Long waits for trial mean that 75% of prisoners in HMP Leicester have not been found guilty or sentenced. Lack of space results in a high ‘churn’ of sentenced prisoners being quickly moved on to other prisons, resulting in shortages of clothing and kit and making it difficult for staff to respond to their immediate needs.

The IMB notes that:

• The number of incidents of self-harm has doubled, rising from 226 in reporting year 2022 to 563 in reporting year 2023. This reflects the increasing number of men who suffer from poor mental health which is made worse by the depressing environment.
• There has been a 56% increase in violent incidents since we last reported. The trade in new psychoactive substances in liquid form, which is difficult to detect, has fuelled some of these incidents.
• The main prison wing is now 150 years old and requires considerable investment to bring it up to an acceptable standard. There are issues of damp, infestations, and broken windows and grills which permit drafts and allow easier access for illicit items to be delivered by drones.

However, it is also pleased to report that:

• The care offered by prison staff to the most difficult and challenging prisoners has been observed to be good.
• Good links have been made with local employers who encourage prisoners to apply to them on release.

IMB Leicester Chair, Trevor Worsfold, said:

“Increasing pressure on prison places combined with high numbers of prisoners passing through Leicester prison poses a very significant challenge to both governors and staff to ensure that conditions for prisoners are safe and decent. They are very severely hampered in this by the condition of this old prison which is no longer fit for purpose. Most of the prisoners there have not been sentenced, yet they experience some of the worst conditions in the prison estate.”