HMP/YOI Portlan - well focussed on resettlement, but safety concerns remain

HMP/YOI Portland provided a purposeful regime for prisoners but some safety issues required attention, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced short follow-up inspection of the training prison in Dorset.

Portland has operated, since its change of function in April 2011, as a combined adult training and young adult facility. Its last full inspection in 2009 found a prison that had changed its outlook and outcomes, with a focus on providing a rehabilitative experience for prisoners. This inspection found the prison continued to make progress against most healthy prison tests, but progress concerning some important safety recommendations was slow.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

  • there was some good work in learning and skills, and unemployment was impressively low;
  • the quality of workshops leading to real work opportunities was good and progression opportunities in learning and skills were improving;
  • the integrated drug treatment system (IDTS) had developed strongly and there was better access to drug support services;
  • the establishment was clean, Rodney and Hardy wings had been demolished and there had been good progress in health care; and
  • the strategic management of resettlement and offender management continued to be effective.

However, inspectors were concerned to find that:

  • induction for young adults was only adequate and other induction arrangements were weak;
  • there was a worrying upward trend in levels of violence, although governance concerning violence reduction was better;
  • the segregation unit was little used but its environment and regime required improvement; and
  • there had been limited progress on recommendations to address the problem of self-harm.

Nick Hardwick said:
‘Developing services for its new adult population appears to be Portland’s new challenge. Although this is, overall, a mixed report, the provision of regime remains good and there is a meaningful focus on resettlement. The apparent complacency around ensuring safety, however, required attention.’

Notes to editors

  1. Read the full report. (161 kB)
  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 unannounced short follow-up inspection was carried out from 3-5 April 2012.
  4. HMP/YOI Portland is a training prison for male adult (21 and over) and young adult (18-21) prisoners.
  5. Please contact Jane Parsons at HMI Prisons on 07880 787552 if you would like more information or to request an interview with Nick Hardwick