The Howard League for Penal Reform has called for a reduction in prisoner numbers following a new report by HM Inspector of Prisons that says they are still concerned about rising rates of violence at Bedford Prison.
Inspectors carrying out an independent ‘review of progress’ from 16 to 18 September found that only “fragile and tentative” progress has been made following their “shocking” inspection in 2023.
Back then, the Chief Inspector of prisons invoked an urgent notification protocol for the second time at the prison having found that “urgent action” was needed to improve conditions at Bedford.
During their recent visit, inspectors found that senior leaders at the prison were now more visible, which was starting to drive up standards, and they also found a proactive safety team working hard to understand and tackle the root causes of violence.
Despite this, inspectors found that violence between the men had continued to rise in the six months before their visit.
Illicit drugs, limited time out of cells, frustrations about not being able to get things done, and a lack of challenge from staff about poor behaviour were all contributing to a continued lack of safety.
Some accommodation in the overcrowded Victorian prison, including the segregation unit which inspectors described as a ‘disgrace’ in the last report, had improved.
Cockroaches, however, remained a problem with communal areas needing a deep clean and many windows were still in disrepair.
The governor had prioritised work on equality and fair treatment, and problems inspectors identified with racism at the inspection were being tackled by two impressive diversity and inclusion managers.
Self-harm had reduced and support for prisoners with poor mental health was improving.
“It was clear that the new governor and deputy governor were taking the concerns raised at the last inspection seriously, but they acknowledged there was still much to do,” said Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.
“Progress was fragile and they will require extensive ongoing support from HMPPS to make the sustainable improvements the prison needs.”
Back in 2023, Mr Taylor, said of his previous report that many of the issues found at Bedford, a category B reception prison, “reflect wider problems across the [prison] estate.”
The Howard League for Penal Reform agreed, calling it an “utterly appalling indictment of the prison system today”.
They believe today’s news shows that the recommendations of that report have not been taken seriously.
“In our response to its inspection report earlier this year, we said Bedford was an utterly appalling indictment of the prison system today,” said Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform.
“Unfortunately, this review shows that over the past year little has changed.
“Although there is new leadership and there have been some encouraging signs of progress – including the closure of the previous segregation unit following threats of legal action from the Howard League – far too many areas of concern remain.
“Bedford still has among the highest levels of violence in all adult male prisons, and abject conditions throughout the prison.
“The pressures on prisons such as Bedford will only be eased through sensible steps to reduce the number of people in prison, and ensuring that prisons can be safe and purposeful places where people can get support to move away from crime.”
The Howard League is the world’s oldest prison charity and advocates for penal reform. They are named after one of Bedford’s most famous sons John Howard.
An early prison reformer, John Howard was disgusted with the way prisoners were treated in the late 1700s and set about creating a prison reform movement that has helped improve conditions for prisoners the world over.
New Governor
In the report, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons highlighted that the new governor was only appointed less than seven months ago and that, ‘it was clear that she and the new deputy governor were taking the concerns raised at the last inspection seriously’.
But they acknowledged ‘there was still much to do’ at the prison, which has a reception and resettlement function.
The report highlighted eight key concerns and Ofsted themes from their 2023 report and their judgements following this review visit.
- Levels of violence, especially against staff, were very high: Much of this was fuelled by prisoner frustration at poor and inconsistent time out of cell and lack of response to legitimate requests through the application and complaints systems.
Leaders did not deliver a full and purposeful regime that motivated prisoners to behave, engage or progress.
Insufficient progress
- Staff did not develop effective relationships with prisoners: Key work was not being delivered and prisoners lacked faith in the ability of staff to resolve legitimate concerns.
Insufficient progress
- Care and support for prisoners in their early days had deteriorated: Time out of cell was poor, the first night cells were dirty and the induction was not adequately organised or informative.
Reasonable progress
- Many cells needed refurbishment and/or redecoration, and many prisoners were held in mouldy cells, with broken windows and graffiti: Living conditions in the segregation unit were squalid. There was evidence of mould and infestation of rats and cockroaches.
Reasonable progress
- Mental health services were poor: The quality and level of support for patients were very limited and did not meet the needs of the population.
Reasonable progress
- The out-of-hours medicines cabinet was poorly stocked, contributing to delays in patients receiving medicines: There was no governance of the use of the cabinet and it contained some out-of-date medicines.
Good progress
- Prisoners, staff and managers reported witnessing racism. Systems to ensure fair treatment and inclusion were weak.
Good progress
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “The report rightly notes improvements at Bedford, including a reduction in levels of self-harm and the renovation of accommodation.
“The high rate of violence and poor living conditions is why this Government took immediate action to end the overcrowding crisis engulfing our jails – to ensure prisons create better citizens and not better criminals.”
You can read the full report by HM Inspector of Prisons here.
