PR 308: HMP WOODHILL INSPECTION IS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE CRISIS IN OUR PRISONS, SAYS THE PRISON OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

Buckinghamshire Prison, HMP Woodhill is still "unsafe, violent, dilapidated with drugs easily available," and some of the conditions were found by Prison Inspectors to be worse than at the time of the last inspection in 2023. 

This is the view of The Chief Inspector of Prisons following the report of an unannounced visit to the jail conducted in March. 

Amongst a long list of comments Inspectors said:

"Rates of violence had increased and overall levels were the second highest compared to similar prisons."

"The rate of serious assaults on staff was the highest in the long-term, high secure estate and around a third of all incidents involved the use of weapons."

"Rates of self-harm remained among the highest in the adult male estate."

"Drugs were far too easily available with the highest level of positive random drugs tests the highest for all male prisons."

"The prison was dilapidated and grubby." 

"The range of education, skills and work activities was too narrow and did not fully meet prisoner needs."

Speaking in response to the report Mick Pimblett, Deputy General Secretary of the POA said:

"This report on HMP Woodhill is yet further evidence of the crisis in the UK prison system. 

Inspectors say that conditions in some areas are even worse than they were in 2023 when they last visited and that violent attacks on staff at this jail are the worst in the long term high secure estate. This combined with the easy availability of drugs, high levels of self harm, lack of educational opportunities and poor living conditions are symptomatic of a system in crisis. The Ministry of Justice cannot ignore yet another report exposing dangerous failings and must take immediate and sustained action to end this scandal."

 

The National Chair Mark Fairhurst added;

“The Chief Inspector once again fails to acknowledge that poor wages, excessive levels of violence and inadequate training of new recruits has led to an unattractive offer for those seeking to join the service. Instead, he lays blame with staff and managers who are fighting daily to cope with a situation beyond their control. If things are to improve at Woodhill this Government needs to improve Prison Officer salaries and recruit twice as many staff. These biased views from an out of touch inspectorate do nothing for staff morale. I commend all staff at Woodhill for the work they do in extreme circumstances.”

 

 

ENDS

 

NOTES - report on HMP Woodhill attached. 

 

 

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                  020 8803 0255 Option 7

Attachments

• Woodhill (2026) web.pdf

  1.83 Mb, pdf