HMP Shrewsbury had many strengths, but needed to focus on reducing the risk of prisoners reoffending, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an announced inspection of the Shropshire training jail.

HMP Shrewsbury has a long history, dating back to the 19th century, as a small local prison serving courts in the West Midlands and mid-Wales. It re-roled to a category C training prison for vulnerable prisoners in January 2010. At its previous inspection in February 2010, inspectors expressed surprise at this decision and questioned the institution’s viability as a training establishment. Its latest inspection found some good outcomes for prisoners, but more work needed urgently to address offending behaviour.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• most prisoners said they felt safe, violence and use of force were low and work to combat the limited amount of bullying was effective;
• incidents of self-harm were low and procedures to support those in crisis were good;
• the use of illicit drugs was minimal and support for those on detoxification regimes was well managed;
• the prison was clean and well maintained, despite the age and cramped character of the environment;
• staff-prisoner relationships were respectful and evidenced good interaction;
• respect for diversity was evident across the prison;
• the quality of the regime had improved and prisoners had almost 10 hours time out of cell on week days; and
• learning and skills provision was reasonable and achievement levels were generally high.

However, inspectors were concerned that there were weaknesses in the prison’s approach to offender management and resettlement:

• although it held a significant number of sex offenders, some presenting high risk and a number in denial of their offence, there was no meaningful analysis to identify offending behaviour interventions;
• the range of offending behaviour work was inadequate; and
• too little was being done to address the needs and risks among these offenders.

Nick Hardwick said:

“In many areas this is a good report that reflects a safe and decent institution. The regime is much improved and is more appropriate to the institution’s purpose, although more needs to be done. The key role of reducing the risk of reoffending among a potentially high-risk group, however, requires urgent attention.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said:

“This is a generally good report on a prison which was in transition during the inspection and given the age of the prison and the cramped conditions, I am particularly pleased about the positive comments about the levels of safety and respect at Shrewsbury. I am also pleased that the Inspectors found that Healthcare was impressive. The improvements in the regime and the learning and skills provision are also welcome.

“The Governor and his staff are working hard to address the areas where the Inspector found that improvement was required including offender management and resettlement. Shrewsbury is already adapting quickly to its new role and preventing re-offending and protecting the public will continue to be at the core of its work.”

Notes to editors

1. A copy of the report can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website from 17 January 2012 at http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmi-prisons/prison-and-yoi
2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. This announced inspection was carried out from 5-9 September 2011.
4. HMP Shrewsbury has acted as a local prison serving the courts since the 19th century. In January 2010, it was re-roled to a category C training prison for vulnerable prisoners.
5. Please contact Jane Parsons in HMI Prisons Press Office on 0207 035 2123 or 07880 787452 if you would like more information or to request an interview with Nick Hardwick.

Download the press release (75 kB)