HMP/YOI Lewes was a generally safe and decent prison but needed more meaningful work and training for prisoners, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced inspection of the Sussex local jail.

HMP/YOI Lewes provides a mixture of traditional and more modern accommodation and has grown in recent years, now holding up to 742 men. The population is mixed with a significant number of unconvicted prisoners, a small number of young adults and some vulnerable prisoners. At its last inspection in 2010, inspectors described the prison as in transition, but commendably safe and improved. This full unannounced inspection found an establishment that continues to produce reasonably good outcomes against most healthy prison tests, although previous concerns on the quality of activity and regime remain.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• Lewes was a generally safe prison, although three prisoners had tragically taken their own lives since the last inspection;
• recorded incidents of self-harm were low and self-harm prevention measures seemed adequate, although some aspects required attention;
• the prison environment was reasonably good and the quality of staff-prisoner relationships continued to be a strength;#
• the provision of health care was good; and
• outcomes for resettlement were reasonably good and had the potential to be impressive. Structures for offender management and reintegration were complex, developing and new and needed to be embedded further.

However, inspectors had some concerns:

• time out of cell was limited, and inspectors found just under two-fifths of the population locked up during the working part of the day;
• teaching needed improvement and there was too little vocational training, while much of the work on offer was mundane;
• induction arrangements could be better and the management of vulnerable prisoners on arrival could be improved;
• substance misuse and detoxification arrangements required better coordination; and
• provision across the resettlement pathways was reasonable, but more was needed to address the offending behaviour of the sex offender population.

Nick Hardwick said:

‘Overall this is a good report. The progress we identified previously has been sustained, and the prison’s strengths, notably the safe and decent environment, continue. Work is in place to strengthen the prison’s approach to resettlement further, although the lack of progress in getting prisoners in to meaningful work is disappointing.’

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

‘I am pleased that the Chief Inspector recognises the progress that has been made at Lewes and the respectful and safe environment it provides for the prisoners it holds. The report also notes the improvements to resettlement work, which helps to reduce re-offending and protect the public although more needs to be done for the potential of that work to be fully realised.

‘The Governor and his staff are working to further improve performance particularly with regard to purposeful activity as highlighted in the report.’

Notes to editors:

1. View the report. (322 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 inspection was carried out from 5-16 November 2012.
4. HMP/YOI Lewes is a category B male local prison holding adult remand and convicted prisoners and remanded young adults.
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.