Source · IMB Annual Report
Wormwood Scrubs
Year: 2023
Published: 19 Mar 2024
Type: Prison · Cat B, local, resettlement
Population: 1,190
Recommendations: 14
Key concerns
Positive findings
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.
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
The 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
Overcrowding
Overcrowding and increased population pressures are stretching prison resources and impacting safety.
Staffing
Acute and chronic staffing shortages severely affect all prison services, including regime, healthcare, and probation.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Many prisoners spend 22 or more hours per day locked in their cells with limited access to purposeful activity, education, and socialisation.
Mental Health
Repeated
Unacceptable delays persist for mental health transfers to secure hospitals, and waiting times for routine assessments have increased significantly.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The antiquated prison infrastructure, including broken lifts and an unreliable cell bell system, is unsuitable for an increasing number of elderly and mobility-impaired prisoners, particularly wheelchair users.
Food/Catering
Repeated
Food provision is consistently of poor quality, quantity, and nutritional value, leading to much food being thrown away.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
A disproportionate number of black prisoners are segregated and involved in use of force incidents.
Resettlement/Release
Through-the-gate support and probation services are patchy and delayed, impacting resettlement and property management.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Minister should make immediate resources available to HMP Wormwood Scrubs to mitigate the impacts of the increase in population. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | The Minister should make immediate resources available to HMP Wormwood Scrubs to improve the fabric of the prison. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 |
The Minister should provide confirmation that adequate funding for Citizens Advice will be provided in future years.
Repeated
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. |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 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.
Repeated
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. |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 5 | HMPPS should outline actions to improve recruitment, turnover, and retention of staff. | HMPPS | |
| 6 |
HMPPS should improve the management of prisoners’ property and the accountability of the prison service and its suppliers for lost property.
Repeated
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. |
HMPPS | |
| 7 |
HMPPS should ensure that more stringent guidance on cell clearance is given.
Repeated
Response
Local arrangements are in place to ensure cell clearances are carried out effectively. |
HMPPS | |
| 8 | HMPPS should provide permanent funding to secure a co-ordinator for foreign national prisoners. | HMPPS | |
| 9 | HMPPS should ensure there are sufficient suitably accessible places for wheelchair users within the London prison estate. | HMPPS | |
| 10 | HMPPS should refurbish the antiquated cell bell system. | HMPPS | |
| 11 |
The Governor should take action to address the disproportionate number of black prisoners being segregated and involved in use of force incidents.
Repeated
Response
A safety information meeting reviews and considers the data. |
Governor / Director | |
| 12 | The Governor should take action to address the disproportionately high number of recorded violent incidents involving younger prisoners. | Governor / Director | |
| 13 | The Governor should take action to address ‘on the day’ staff shortages more effectively to prevent cancellation of out of cell activities. | Governor / Director | |
| 14 |
The Governor should outline plans for improving the daily regime, including time out of cell and access to activities.
Repeated
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. |
Governor / Director |
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
16 Mar 2026
HMIP · IRP
9 Jun 2025
HMIP · Unannounced
7 Jun 2021
HMIP · Unannounced
16 Sep 2019
HMIP · Announced
21 Oct 2019
PFD
Harold Uzomechina · Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths; State Custody related deaths
Other reports for Wormwood Scrubs
Report details
- Establishment
- Wormwood Scrubs
- Type
- Prison · Cat B, local, resettlement
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 19 March 2024
- Responsible body
- HMP Wormwood Scrubs
- Recommendations
- 14
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 1 — Serious concern
Population
| Population | 1,190 |
Service providers
Catering
Aramark
Chaplaincy
HMPPS (with sessional contracts for religious leaders)
Education
Novus
FM Services (Facilities Management)
Amey (under contract to HMPPS)
IMB Secretariat
Independent Monitoring Boards Secretariat (HMPPS)
Maintenance
Amey (under contract to HMPPS)
Mental Health Services (Secondary Care)
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
Pharmacy
Practice Plus Group (PPG)
Primary Healthcare
Practice Plus Group (PPG)
Primary Mental Health Care
Practice Plus Group (PPG)
Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS)
GEOAmey
Substance Use Support
Forward Trust
Visitors Centre
Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust)
Workshops/Industries
Amey (under contract to HMPPS)