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The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has stated that prisoners at HMP Durham are now receiving sufficient underwear and socks following concerns raised by a watchdog. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) reported that new inmates had previously been provided with fewer than half of the personal clothing items mandated by national guidelines. Specifically, last year, new prisoners were given only three pairs of shorts and socks, despite being entitled to eight pairs.
The MoJ has confirmed that the issue has been addressed, and all incoming prisoners at HMP Durham now receive their full allocation of clothing, bedding, and towels. According to the IMB’s monitoring between November 2024 and October 2025, the prison had been repeatedly falling short of national standards on clothing and bedding. The prison governor responded in a January statement, explaining that from now on, the management of bedding and clothing would be handled centrally rather than by individual wings. Despite this, the IMB noted that at the close of their reporting period, the prison was still non-compliant with minimum clothing entitlements—a point the MoJ has refuted.
Furthermore, the IMB highlighted that funding cuts had negatively affected educational and vocational opportunities within the prison. Inmates lost access to courses in food safety, industrial cleaning, and creative enterprise. Those housed in the vulnerable prisoner unit experienced a 50% reduction in English and maths classes. Additionally, the loss of the prison’s special educational needs co-ordinator and reading specialist adversely impacted prisoners with learning difficulties and disabilities. The MoJ indicated that efforts are underway to improve learning opportunities through higher quality classes and sector-specific training.
Other concerns raised by inspectors included the removal of a crucial staff role supporting prisoners during their first days in custody, with no current plans to reinstate this position. Chronic issues such as overcrowding and the lack of adequate separation between toilets and living spaces were also reported. On a positive note, the IMB observed a 42% decrease in prisoners self-harming compared to the prior year and commended the prison’s well-stocked library and the availability of vocational training. The MoJ acknowledged the ongoing challenges that HMP Durham faces and continues to work on addressing them
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