Read the report: short scrutiny visit to long-term, high security prisons

Three men’s prisons in the men’s long-term, high security estate were found by HM Inspectorate of Prisons to have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with a proportionate and well-managed approach.

However, as with other prisons visited by inspectors in short scrutiny visits during the COVID period, the experience for prisoners was an extremely restricted regime, with little time out of their cells.

Inspectors who visited Belmarsh, Manchester and Woodhill on 26 May 2020 found prisoners had understood the need for the restrictions but noted increasing frustration on their part. Some felt restrictions could be loosened in line with those in the community.

Manchester and Belmarsh had experienced outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus and some deaths (one member of staff and a prisoner at Manchester and one prisoner at Belmarsh).

Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said managers at the three sites, “had maintained the delivery of the restricted regime and had worked hard to implement social distancing guidance for staff and prisoners. However, social distancing was difficult to adhere to on some wings due to the very narrow landings.”

Ongoing communication about the pandemic and social distancing requirements was found to be good but, Mr Clarke added, “some prisoners were becoming frustrated about perceived differences between restrictions in prisons and the community, as community restrictions were beginning to be lifted.”

Most prisoners lived in single cells and inspectors found less crowding than in some other short scrutiny visits. However, time out of cell was very limited and most prisoners were locked up for over 23 hours a day. Most had daily access to showers though at Woodhill COVID-symptomatic prisoners had not been able to shower for seven days and at Manchester access to showers differed between wings. Access to outdoor exercise was generally more reliable but was too short at about 30 minutes a day at each site.

Social visits remained suspended. Prisoners had in-cell telephones which they appreciated. However, the national rollout of video calling was very slow and none of the three prisons had been able to take up this opportunity.

Support for prisoners with vulnerabilities, including those at risk of self-harm, was good at each site. The provision of health care was also good overall. However, the provision of mental health support was variable and at Manchester inspectors were concerned that routine referrals were not being assessed or monitored.

Existing public protection procedures were being sustained but inspectors found weaknesses in preparation of prisoners for release which needed to be urgently addressed.

Overall, Mr Clarke said:

“Although the slow rollout of video calling was disappointing, and there was some developing frustration about the level of continuing restrictions in prisons compared with that in the community, the overall response to the pandemic by each of the prisons we visited remained proportionate and well-managed.”

– End –

Notes to editors

1. A copy of the full report, published on 15 June 2020, can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website.
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. Our methodology for short scrutiny visits (SVVs) to men’s prisons during the COVID-19 period is explained here.
4. HMP Belmarsh is a high security prison which also serves the courts in the South East of England. HMPs Manchester and Woodhill were in the process of reconfiguring from high security local prisons to category B training prisons. We specifically explored the arrangements for managing such an establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of a restricted regime, adherence to social distancing and access to health care and release planning.
5. The report identifies seven examples of notable positive practice.
6. These announced short scrutiny visits to three men’s prisons in the long-term, high-security estate – Belmarsh, Manchester and Woodhill – took place on 26 May 2020.
7. Please contact John Steele at HM Inspectorate of Prisons on 07880 787452, or at john.steele@justice.gov.uk, if you would like more information.