Wormwood Scrubs

I recognise the scale of the challenge created by aging infrastructure at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. Work is already underway to address this, including the replacement of cell call bell systems across the site, critical fire safety upgrades and the continued replacement of windows, with these projects forming part of a wider programme representing an estimated investment of £68.5 million. I also note further bids for additional work, including improved lighting, closed-circuit television enhancements and mesh and rendering works to cell areas, all of which will be considered through a risk-based national prioritisation process. Locally, I welcome the ongoing refurbishment of showers and the planned completion of the A Wing lift replacement in early 2026.

I share the Board’s concern about delays facing men who require transfer for specialist mental health treatment. The new Mental Health Act 2025 states that prisons cannot be used as a place of safety and introduces a statutory 28 day transfer time limit. Cross government work is underway to ensure that the structures, reporting arrangements and operational capacity required to meet this standard are fully in place. National Health Service England (NHSE) is supporting this through its strengthened emphasis on improving patient flow, including reductions in average length of stay in acute mental health wards. This national effort is backed by substantial investment, including £1.6 billion pounds through the Better Care Fund and £42 million of recurrent funding from 2024–2025 for Integrated Care Boards to expand inpatient care capacity. Locally, I welcome the efforts of practitioners who conduct timely assessments, escalate complex cases when needed and work to stabilise men during what can be a very distressing period.
Your report makes clear that pressure on secure hospital beds continues to affect timely transfers. There were 62 transfers this year with an average referral to transfer time of 59.9 days. Although performance on urgent referrals improved significantly by year end, consistency remains a challenge. To address this, NHSE has placed renewed focus on reducing inpatient lengths of stay, strengthening oversight of clinical prioritisation and enhancing data reporting and escalation processes. Regionally, work is underway to support the prison and healthcare partners to escalate delayed cases at senior level and track progress more reliably. I expect these arrangements to translate into more consistent compliance with the new statutory time limit.

I recognise the scale of the challenge created by aging infrastructure at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. Work is already underway to address this, including the replacement of cell call bell systems across the site, critical fire safety upgrades and the continued replacement of windows, with these projects forming part of a wider programme representing an estimated investment of £68.5 million. I also note further bids for additional work, including improved lighting, closed-circuit television enhancements and mesh and rendering works to cell areas, all of which will be considered through a risk-based national prioritisation process. Locally, I welcome the ongoing refurbishment of showers and the planned completion of the A Wing lift replacement in early 2026.

The in-cell telephone service is delivered through a national contract that has in place a service level agreement that repairs or replacements are provided within 5 days. Call charges were reduced earlier this year and remain under review with further efforts underway to lower costs, particularly for calls to mobile telephones.

The revised Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework, issued on 17 November 2025, provides clearer guidance on areas historically prone to error, including sending excess property, handling laundry and completing cell clearance certificates. Senior leaders across the estate have been reminded of the need for compliance, particularly in relation to volumetric control, which ensures that property within limits travels with the individual. The escort provider transports property in line with the volumetric limits using digital person escort records to document property ownership and handover accurately. Between June 2024 and the end of the reporting period, 29 complaints relating to HMP Wormwood Scrubs were recorded concerning delays or losses in transit. Complaints are reviewed on a monthly basis with the escort provider. Locally, the prison has introduced a barcode labelling system for parcels sent in by families, which has led to a reduction in complaints about incoming property.

The rate of positive findings on mandatory drugs testing has remained far higher than in comparator prisons.

Too many prisoners still find that activities and regime are cancelled due to staffing issues. Unemployed prisoners are often still spending 22 hours a day or more in their cells.

Prisoners are still unable to mix outside their wing groups and the range of activities available to them is dictated by their location in the prison.