Recommendation 1
What resources will the Minister make immediately available to this prison to mitigate the impacts of the increase in population?
Source · IMB Annual Report
Wormwood Scrubs
AI-generated report summary HMP Wormwood Scrubs faced significant challenges during the reporting year, including overcrowding and acute staffing shortages, which adversely impacted safety, regime delivery, and healthcare provision. Many prisoners spent extended periods locked in their cells with limited purposeful activity. Concerns persist regarding mental health transfer delays, an antiquated estate unsuitable for disabled prisoners, and poor food quality, though positive efforts in induction, reading support, and some service improvements were noted.
Year: 2023
Published: 19 Mar 2024
Type: Prison · Cat B, local, resettlement
Population: 1,190
Recommendations: 14
Key concerns
Positive findings
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 3 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 498 | 408 |
| ACCT cases opened | 762 | 724 |
| Prisoner assaults | 228 | 204 |
| Assaults on staff | 141 | 93 |
| Use of force | 856 | 657 |
Positive findings
AI-generated summaryThe prison has continued to implement positive changes to reception and induction procedures, risk assessments and documentation, making induction supportive and more accessible. Listeners and Samaritans are well-supported and valued. The prison's small group management policy contributes to lower self-harm and violence than comparator prisons. Investment in grounds and a prisoner-carer scheme for wheelchair users are positive. Ramadan provision was well-received. Segregation staff show exceptional patience and care. The chaplaincy is a respected resource, and a revised incentive scheme has led to fewer complaints. The Shannon Trust has significantly expanded its reading support, and the library is a welcoming space. The refurbished visits hall is also noted.
Key concerns
The prison became increasingly short of space over the reporting year due to an increase in operational capacity and population pressures on the wider prison estate.
Pressure on resources and acute and chronic staffing shortages impacted the prison in many areas.
At the end of the reporting year, many prisoners were still locked up for 22 hours or more each day, with limited and inconsistent access to work, education and socialisation away from the wing.
Staff shortages and staff turnover adversely affected drug and rehabilitation services and increased waiting lists for help. • Waiting times for referral for routine mental health assessments increased. • Waiting times for transfers to suitable hospital accommodation were still unacceptable.
The prison was unable to suitably accommodate an increase in the number of elderly and mobility-impaired prisoners, particularly wheelchair users.
Most prisoners’ daily experience still seems to be food of poor quality, quantity and nutritional value. The Board receives many complaints about limited variety and choice, and delivery of special diets remains unreliable. A great deal of food is thrown away uneaten.
What action can be taken to address the disproportionate number of black prisoners being segregated and recorded as involved in a disproportionate number of use of force incidents?
Through-the-gate support and probation services are patchy and delayed, impacting resettlement and property management.
Source wording under review
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
What resources will the Minister make immediately available to this prison to improve the fabric of the prison?
Recommendation 3
The Minister should provide confirmation that adequate funding for Citizens Advice will be provided in future years.
Response
Citizens Advice resumed service last summer for one day a week. External funding Funding has been secured for Citizens Advice to provide a service three days a week from April 2023.
Recommendation 4
The Minister should outline plans in coordination with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure adequate provision for prisoners with acute mental health needs.
Response
In June 2022, the Government published the draft Mental Health Bill which includes a statutory 28-day time limit for the transfer of patients from prison to mental health hospital. A data input portal implemented from April 2021 enables providers to submit transfer and admission data.
Recommendation 5
HMPPS should outline actions to improve recruitment, turnover, and retention of staff.
Recommendation 6
HMPPS should improve the management of prisoners’ property and the accountability of the prison service and its suppliers for lost property.
Response
The newly published Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework came into effect on 5 September 2022. The introduction of digitally recorded Person Escort Records, including property tags, will assist with investigation for property that is lost in transit with Prisoner Escort and Custody Services’ suppliers. Digital handling of property continues to be explored but it was not possible to include this in the new framework.
Recommendation 7
HMPPS should ensure that more stringent guidance on cell clearance is given.
Response
Local arrangements are in place to ensure cell clearances are carried out effectively.
Recommendation 8
HMPPS should provide permanent funding to secure a co-ordinator for foreign national prisoners.
Recommendation 9
HMPPS should ensure there are sufficient suitably accessible places for wheelchair users within the London prison estate.
Recommendation 10
HMPPS should refurbish the antiquated cell bell system.
Recommendation 11
What action can be taken to address the disproportionate number of black prisoners being segregated and recorded as involved in a disproportionate number of use of force incidents?
Response
A safety information meeting reviews and considers the data.
Recommendation 12
The Governor should take action to address the disproportionately high number of recorded violent incidents involving younger prisoners.
Recommendation 13
Staff shortages are often given as a reason for cancelling out of cell activities. What action can be taken to address ‘on the day’ staff shortages more effectively?
Recommendation 14
The Governor should outline plans for improving the daily regime, including time out of cell and access to activities.
Response
Most prisoners should be spending a minimum of one hour and 15 minutes out of cell a day unless the regime is curtailed. Wings hold records of times out of cell.
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 14 | 22 |
| Diversity and equality | 17 | 15 |
| Drugs | 22 | 18 |
| Education, training and work | 30 | 29 |
| Faith | 23 | 25 |
| Finance | 75 | 56 |
| Health and wellbeing | 96 | 77 |
| Legal | 62 | 65 |
| Meals and canteen | 56 | 39 |
| Other | 12 | 10 |
| Property | 102 | 108 |
| Regime | 25 | 29 |
| Release and resettlement | 54 | 43 |
| Security | 15 | 13 |
| Segregation | 12 | 11 |
| Sentences and recall | 28 | 36 |
| Staff and prisoner concerns | 258 | 321 |
| Transfers (including hospital transfers) | 162 | 196 |
| Welfare (including families and visits) | 59 | 50 |
Related inspections & investigations
Safety 2
· Respect 3
· Activity 1
· Release 2
Isaiah Olugosi · Self-inflicted
Peter Magloire · Self-inflicted
Samuel Stewart · Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Isaiah Olugosi · State Custody related deaths | Suicide (from 2015)
Harold Uzomechina · Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths; State Custody related deaths
John O’Meara · State Custody related deaths
Blaise Farry · State Custody related deaths
Other reports for Wormwood Scrubs
· Concerns
Population 1,253
· Self-harm 323
· Concerns
Population 1,087
· Self-harm 408
· Concerns
Population 1,080
· Self-harm 282
· Concerns
Population 1,066
· Self-harm 379
· Concerns