HMP & YOI Styal was a safe and decent women’s prison with good work, training and education for women and a focus on resettlement, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons. Today he published the report of an unannounced inspection of the women’s prison in Cheshire.

HMP Styal serves courts in the north-west of England and north Wales. It holds a complicated mix of women including those remanded by the courts, women serving both short and long sentences and those with indeterminate sentences. Like other women’s local prisons, the population is further complicated by high levels of self-harm, physical and mental health issues and drug and alcohol abuse. The physical layout of the prison was unusual. Waite wing was a large, traditionally designed cellular unit for those women deemed unsuitable for the houses. The main site enjoyed a very open regime where women lived communally in houses and had a degree of autonomy.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• early days support for women at the prison was very good and induction was well managed;
• most women felt safe and the majority of the more serious incidents were accounted for by a small number of women;
• good relationships between staff and prisoners, prisoner peer workers and the prison’s safer custody hub helped to support a safe environment;
• vulnerable women, including those who self-harmed, were generally well cared for and the Dove Centre provided a caring and supportive respite for those with the most complex problems;
• force was used proportionately;
• substance misuse support was much improved and was now good;
• women from both parts of the prison were required to visit various hubs for information, support and to access staff, which engendered a sense of independence and responsibility, though for some women, more regular routine contact with staff was perhaps still needed;
• time out of cell was good;
• the focus of learning and skills was appropriate, met the needs of women very well and supported rehabilitation work; and
• resettlement work was also very effective.

However, inspectors were concerned to find that:

• as reported elsewhere, many women had long delays in court cells while waiting for transfer to the prison, and shared escort vehicles with male prisoners;
• some women with severe mental health issues and related challenging behaviour were held in segregation, and more thought needed to be given to how these women should be cared for; and
• queuing for medications often happened outside with no cover, even in very inclement weather.

Nick Hardwick said:

“Overall, Styal was a very good prison where outcomes for the women held were strong in all four of our healthy prison tests. We were particularly impressed with the efforts made to give women more independence and responsibility, and although this was a problem to some, it was aimed at better equipping women for life back in the community. Relationships were strong and these, alongside very good activities and resettlement work, supported a positive focus on rehabilitation. Challenges remain but this is a good inspection of a successful institution.”

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

“As this report makes clear, Styal deals with a complex population incredibly well. It provides a safe and positive environment and I am pleased that the Chief Inspector has highlighted the excellent work taking place there.

“The Governor and his staff deserve real credit for the crucial role that they are playing in supporting effective rehabilitation and I am pleased that their professionalism, commitment and dedication has been properly recognised.

“The Governor will use the recommendations in this report to build on the success to date and achieve further improvement.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Read the report.
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. HMP & YOI Styal is a closed female prison.
4. This unannounced inspection was carried out from 3-14 November 2014.
5. Please contact Jane Parsons in HM Inspectorate of Prisons Press Office on 07880 787452 if you would like more information or to request an interview.