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Urgent improvement needed at HMP Winchester for rehabilitation and resettlement

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HMP/YOI Winchester

In its 2023-24 annual report, published today (26 September 2024) the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP/YOI Winchester expresses concern over the effects of early release of prisoners without adequate preparation and persistent overcrowding in the prison.

The following are among the key findings in the report:

  • Additional support is urgently needed for rehabilitation and resettlement services as they are put under pressure from early release schemes to aid prison capacity. Men are being released without adequate preparation. Between January to May 2024, 124 men have been released under the end of custody supervised license (ECSL) scheme. Of those, 38% were released as homeless because no accommodation could be arranged within the given timeframe and 21% breached their license and were recalled.
  • Prison violence is increasing. Prisoner assaults on staff increased by 85%, with 232 incidents recorded. Prisoner on prisoner assaults also increased by 35%. There was an increase of 43% of instances when force was used to control or restrain prisoners.
  • Incidences of self-harm increased by 47%, with an increase in both the number of individuals self-harming and the severity of the incidents recorded.
  • The building’s condition is deteriorating, with leaking roofs and ceilings, inconsistent heating and water systems, and damaged brickwork. Some workshops and cells have been non-functional for months as a result of this. 

However, the Board also notes that:

  • The number of complaints by prisoners about lost property continues to fall. Personal property is important to men in maintaining links to family and friends thereby reducing anxiety.
  • Charitable organisations such as BearFace Theatre, Saints Foundation and the Samaritans, as well as the chaplaincy, deliver outstanding work to improve outcomes for prisoners. In addition, the Spurgeons charity is inspiring in its efforts to keep prisoners in touch with their families, which is important for successful rehabilitation and resettlement.

HMP Winchester IMB Chair, Sherrin Moss, says:

“The senior leadership team at HMP Winchester deserves praise and recognition for its drive towards continuous improvement in the face of an increasingly challenging set of circumstances.

While levels of violence are of a real concern for the Board, we note a recent reduction in figures and trust this trend can continue. The introduction of further early release schemes emphasises the urgent need for additional rehabilitation and resettlement support.”