Reports published 30 May 2023
Reports on inspections of HMP Birmingham, HMP Leicester and escort and removals to Albania
HMP Birmingham
Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection
Dates of inspection: 30 January – 9 February 2023
Summary of findings: After receiving an Urgent Notification for poor safety and squalid conditions in 2018, Birmingham had been transformed thanks to the relentless work of the governor. Wings felt calm, well ordered and clean. Significant spending by the prison service had led to improvements in the fabric and infrastructure of the prison.
Points to note: The governor had focused on reducing the ingress of drugs, including dealing with some serious staff corruption issues. With the supply of drugs far lower than in 2018 there had been a fall in violence by more than 60%.
Read the Chief Inspector’s blog on Birmingham: Chief Inspector’s blog: using failure to drive transformational change
Read the report: HMP Birmingham
HMP Leicester
Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection
Dates of inspection: 13–23 February 2023
Summary of findings: The prison was well led by a small, committed team and was much safer than when last inspected, with self-harm having fallen by a third and use of force by 40%. The prison was overcrowded and living conditions were still not good enough.
Points to note: The prison was working to support remanded prisoners, a group which is often overlooked, for example by providing support on financial matters such as contacting debtors or supporting them to sustain tenancies.
Read the report: HMP Leicester
Escort and removals to Albania
Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection
Dates of inspection: 22–23 February 2023
Summary of findings: The escorted flight went smoothly and all detainees were compliant and were treated respectfully by staff. Detainees were positive about staff, and inspectors noted improvements on previously inspected escort flights made by Mitie Care and Custody managers including no guiding holds or other use of force, and detainees being referred to by their name rather than their case number.
Points to note: The chief immigration officer held a surgery on the plane, using the interpreter when needed.
Read the report: Albania escort and removals