HMP Risley needed to improve and to build a sense of purpose as a training and resettlement prison, said Peter Clarke, Chief Inspector of Prisons. Today he published the report of an unannounced inspection of the training jail in Cheshire.

HMP Risley holds just over 1,110 men, mainly from the north-west, representing a full range of ages and sentences. At its last inspection in 2013, outcomes for prisoners were mixed. This more recent inspection found a similar variable picture with some deterioration, and a prison that seemed to be struggling to fulfil its core purpose as a training jail. Prisoners did not have enough time out of their cell to participate in work and learning, and the prison’s approach to resettlement needed to improve.

Inspectors were concerned to find that:

• the daily routine was not being delivered and inspectors heard that industrial relations difficulties had led to the regime being curtailed;
• a third of prisoners were in their cells during the working day;
• all areas of learning and skills provision needed to improve;
• there were not enough work, training or educational opportunities and most prisoners were only employed part-time;
• the prison did not have a grasp of the resettlement needs of its prisoners;
• many prisoners did not have an assessment of risk and their contact with offender supervisors was poor, as was public protection work;
• there had been a marked increase in the use of force and inspectors could not be assured that the increase was justified; and
• standards in accommodation varied greatly and many aspects were poor.

However, inspectors were pleased to find that:

• levels of violence and self-harm were comparable with other category C prisons and work to reduce violence and to support those in self-harm crisis was in place and seemed useful and effective;
• some meaningful work was being done to confront the serious issues of new psychoactive substances in the prison;
• security was generally proportionate; and
• the chaplaincy was excellent.

Peter Clarke said:

“This is a disappointing report. Risley has a clearly defined role in training and resettlement but needs to improve governance in many areas and build a sense of purpose that is owned by staff as well as prisoners. The prison needs to go back to first principles in determining how best it can assess and resettle its prisoners. It needs sufficient work and education to fully employ all, but beyond this, it should create an ethos that values work and learning and incentivises engagement by prisoners.”

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

“The Chief Inspector provides a clear analysis of the challenge which Risley faces. The previous Governor and his staff have worked hard to improve safety, to tackle illicit psychoactive drugs and to provide support for vulnerable prisoners, but there is more to do to improve training and to provide effective resettlement opportunities for prisoners. The new Governor comes with an impressive track record and will build on the work of her predecessor to develop the regime at Risley to more effectively support successful rehabilitation.”

– ENDS –

Notes to editors:

1. A copy of the full report can be found here.
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 Risley is a category C training prison.
4. This unannounced inspection was carried out from 13-24 June 2016.
5.  Please contact Jane Parsons in HM Inspectorate of Prisons press office on 020 3681 2775 or 07880 787452 if you would like more information.