HMI Prisons

Men's Expectations consultation

Photograph of Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor

Consultation on Expectations for men in prison

We are currently consulting on our Expectations: Criteria for assessing the treatment of and conditions for men in prisons. This is the sixth version of the Expectations for men in prison, which have been revised and updated so that we can continue to fulfil our responsibility to deliver independent and objective assessments of outcomes for detainees. We welcome any comments on the draft by Monday 3 July 2023.

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International Day of Families blog

International Day of Parents: the vital importance of family relationships for those in prison

It is well known that prisoners who maintain contact with their families are significantly less likely to reoffend on their release. During the pandemic, work to support those ties faced new challenges. Following International Day of Parents, inspector Martin Kettle considers some of the work by prisons to maintain the vital relationship between parents and children.

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Chief Inspectors Blog

Chief Inspector’s blog: using failure to drive transformational change

'When inspectors visited HMP Birmingham in August 2018 they were expecting it to be a difficult inspection; there had recently been a riot in the prison that had led to widespread damage and a decision to return it to the public sector. What they found was a jail that had all but collapsed.'
Following an inspection of the previously failing prison, Charlie Taylor considers how an impressive governor used an Urgent Notification as a catalyst to transform it.

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International Day of Families blog

International Day of Families: the importance of family for children in custody

'Since my first day working as a family support worker at HMP Brixton 18 years ago, I have been struck by how important families are in supporting prisoners, maintaining their well-being and helping them live successful, crime-free lives on release.'

On International Day of Families, Angus Jones, Team Leader for Children and Young People, reflects on the vital importance of families for children in custody.

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Experiences of black prisoners and black staff blog 3

The power of food

'I visited HMP Swinfen Hall last week, a men’s prison in Staffordshire holding mainly young adults, about a quarter of whom are black. Over the course of an afternoon, I saw the work of ‘Food Behind Bars’ (FBB), a small charity which helps prisons to develop more varied menus and teaches prisoners about cooking and nutrition.'
In this blog, lead inspector Hindpal Singh Bhui shares his experience of visiting a prison to see how food can be used to build trust between black and white prisoners and staff.

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Short-term holding facilities at Western Jet Foil, Manston and Kent Intake Unit
Report on an unannounced inspection of short-term holding facilities at Western Jet Foil, Manston and Kent Intake Unit by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (30 January – 17 February 2023)
Albania escort and removals
Detainees under escort: Inspection of escort and removals to Albania by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (22-23 February 2023)
HMP Birmingham
Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Birmingham by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (30 January – 9 February 2023)
HMP Leicester
Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Leicester by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (13–23 February 2023)

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