HMP Bristol – some significant concerns

HMP Bristol is a medium-sized local prison, much of it dating from the 19th century. It receives remand and convicted prisoners, often straight from the streets. At its last inspection in 2010, inspectors noted improvements and described a well led prison that had a clear sense of direction.

The prison had recently undergone a major reorganisation of management and staffing and this inspection noted several significant concerns. Prisoner turnover at Bristol was extremely high, with over 70% of prisoners staying for less than three months. This made the job of managers and staff very difficult.

Inspectors were concerned to find that:

• although levels of violence were similar to comparable prisons, too many prisoners felt unsafe or victimised;
• procedures to tackle violence and delinquency were lacking;
• the quality of staff supervision on the wings was not always adequate;
• significant numbers of prisoners reported that it was easy to get drugs in the prison or that they had developed a problem while there;
• prisoners could not get enough clean clothes or clothes that fitted, adequate bedding or cleaning materials;
• much of the prison was dirty and prisoners complained of cockroach infestation;
• inspectors observed some disturbing and dismissive attitudes from some staff;
• the promotion of equality had been neglected and had only recently begun to receive appropriate attention;
• during the working day it was normal to find about half the prison’s population locked in cell; and
• there was only enough work, training and activity for two-thirds of the population but even this was not used efficiently with much unoccupied.

However, inspectors were pleased to find that:

• support for those at risk of suicide or self-harm was reasonably good and the prison had been proactive in developing work to promote adult safeguarding for the clearly vulnerable;
• security procedures were broadly proportionate;
• foreign national prisoners received some helpful support; and
• the prison was largely meeting the resettlement challenges and needs presented by a very short-term population and was addressing a range of demands.

Nick Hardwick said:

‘This is a concerning report. Bristol is an important institution serving the South West. A sense of drift had returned to the prison. Some useful work was being done to help manage offending risk and to reintegrate prisoners at the conclusion of their sentences. But the experience of prisoners was poor. The priorities we identified included improving the environment, improving staff culture and ensuring prisoners have something useful to do that will equip them for the future.’

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

‘At the time of the inspection, Bristol had been through a significant period of restructure and change. This, coupled with the prison’s highly transient population, presented a challenging time for the Governor and her staff.

‘Despite this, it is pleasing to see that good work was taking place in resettlement and offender management and that the needs of prisoners were largely being met. Decisive action has already been taken to build on this work and address concerns raised in the report, particularly in the areas of training and purposeful activity.

‘The prison and its staff will receive the support necessary to help raise performance and deliver a safe and constructive environment for the prisoners it holds.’

Notes to Editors

1.  A copy of the report. (694 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 7-13 May 2013.
4. HMP Bristol is a category B local prison.
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.