HMP Feltham B, a young offenders facility in west London, requires a cultural overhaul after high levels of violence were found, according to an inspector. The larger population was caused by a 40% reduction of capacity in England and Wales, with the facility now able to take in older inmates. It has been judged to have failed to progress since inspections in 2019 and 2023, saying the jail did not meet the needs of its larger population. The report also said that toilets and sinks were very dirty and that prisoners were not being provided with cleaning equipment.
The prison was told that relying on keeping prisoners separated instead of addressing the causes of violence would not work. The investigation of incidents was often delayed or of poor quality. While incidents of prisoner-on-prisoner violence had fallen by 47%, there was still a lot of violence against staff. The report said that there were too many levels of violence, and prisoners had a poor perception of their safety.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons called for assistance from the HMPPS leadership to encourage improvements. The probation service in London also required improvements and focus. A spokesperson for the Prison Service claimed that important reforms to improve living conditions were being put in place, as well as additional access to education and halved rates of assaults, which were all necessities in order to combat the concerns outlined.
It is important to note that a recent rise in the national prison population has been coupled with an increase in violence, and England and Wales hold the worst imprisonment rates in Europe, with 136 people jailed per 100,000
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