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Inhumane conditions at HMP Dartmoor

Published:

Overcrowding, a failure to invest in important services, and staff shortages over the past year have severely impacted the regime at HMP Dartmoor. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) concludes in its annual report for 2022/23 that the prison is neither sustainable, humane, fair, nor safe.

The Board notes that:

  • The decision to allow doubling up in pre-Victorian cells which are already cramped, to accommodate an additional 49 prisoners, has resulted in prisoners living in unsuitable conditions.
  • The population increase has not been matched by an increase in support services. The prison lacks education, training, and industries staff, which negatively impacts rehabilitative opportunities for all prisoners.
  • There is currently a lack of provision for prisoners requiring full-time or specialist healthcare and equipment, including those with mobility issues or requiring end of life care. Given the high proportion of older prisoners at HMP Dartmoor, it is important that adjustments are made to accommodate them.
  • There was a significant increase in use of force incidents in parts of the reporting year compared to equivalent periods in 2022, coupled with a failure to run monthly meetings to review this data.

Chair of the Dartmoor IMB, Jo Wymer, said:

“Prisoners being forced to double up in cells barely fit for one person, never mind two, presents immense challenges. The aim over the next year should be to improve outcomes for prisoners in purposeful activity, education, and resettlement. Major improvements in the buildings and equipment are required, and investing in support for the growing numbers of elderly prisoners is essential. Despite local prison management, staff members and contractors working hard to maintain day-to-day security, conditions at the prison remain inhumane for prisoners.”