'Insufficient progress' to address prison violence

Prison inspectors say "insufficient progress" has been made to address violence and inmate safety at a high-security jail in the wake of two high profile deaths.

Paedophile Ian Watkins and child murderer Kyle Bevan were fatally attacked at HMP Wakefield in October and November last year.

Their deaths came after an inspection found violence had increased sharply at the prison, inmates felt unsafe and infrastructure was deteriorating.

Now, a follow-up inspection states that of eight key areas of concern, good progress had been made in just two, while the remaining six showed insufficient or no meaningful progress. The Ministry of Justice said it was working with the prison on improvements.

The latest report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons said, as well as the two alleged murders, two suicides and another death yet to be classified had taken place since the last inspection, all of which had taken a "significant additional toll on leaders, staff and prisoners".

It said that prior to the the fatal attacks, prisoners convicted of sexual offences had been accommodated alongside those convicted of other serious offences.

However, following a process of reconfiguration it said "a considerable number of prisoners had moved out of the prison to be replaced by others considered more suitable".

It added that a new safety analyst was in post and said leaders had commissioned work, including a prisoner survey, to improve understanding of the underlying drivers for violence.

But, while the report found inmates and staff said they felt safer since the changes, inspectors felt not enough had been done to address the issue.

They also found insufficient progress had been made to improve infrastructure, which was in "very poor condition" and meant "living conditions had deteriorated".

The report said "wings were shabby, showers were in very poor condition, water boilers and washing machines were subject to regular breakdowns, and electrical issues sometimes affected emergency cell call bells."

Inspectors said leaders had a "clear understanding" of the work required and had escalated this to the prison service.

Inspectors found no meaningful progress had been found in areas of patient safety, wait times for mental health beds, and the amount of time spent in cells.

Nearly one in five external hospital appointments had been cancelled by the prison and waiting times for GP appointments had increased to 11 weeks from three weeks at the last inspection.

The report said this "deteriorating access" to care had "adversely affected patients' health".

Good progress had been made to address the treatment of prisoners who self-isolated out of fear for safety, which inspectors said had previously been "too punitive", and to improve the usage of the outdoor exercise area.

The report said new senior leaders appeared to be more visible around the prison and were "clearer about institutional priorities".

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Inspectors recognised early signs of improvement at HMP Wakefield, including reduced levels of violence.

"But the prison continues to operate under immense pressure after this Government inherited a system at the peak of its crisis, and we are continuing work to drive forward improvements in key areas like healthcare and infrastructure."

In May the jury trying two men accused of murdering Watkins was discharged, with a re-trial provisionally set for 8 February next year.

Meanwhile, three men accused of murdering Bevan are due to stand trial later this week.

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