Hampshire: Violence and drug use ‘rife’ at Winchester Prison

A prison should be put into emergency measures because of “very high levels of violence” and drug problems, a watchdog has said.

Prison inspectors found drug use was “rife” at Winchester Prison in Hampshire, and that security was “compromised” by the fact a third of the CCTV cameras were broken.

Martin Lomas, deputy chief inspector of prisons, said the conditions represented “systemic failings” of HM Prison and Probation Service and the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons minister Lord James Timpson said staff at the prison were “working hard” to improve conditions.

“We will publish an action plan in the coming weeks to support them in their efforts,” he said.

“This report illustrates the scale of the crisis this Government inherited in our prisons.”

Inspectors found 41% of the approximately 690 men held in the category B jail tested positive for drug use in August, and 47% reported it was easy to get hold of illicit substances.

The prison, which also has a lower security category C resettlement unit, was so “dilapidated” one inmate had “been able to remove his own cell door”, and some cells were so damp “inspectors questioned whether they were fit for habitation”.

It had the “highest level of serious assaults” against staff in all England and Wales reception jails – which process new inmates and hold people who are awaiting sentencing.

There were also high rates of self harm, and assaults against other inmates.

Mr Lomas said Winchester had been in a poor state “for many years”, but recent conditions had “deteriorated to the point that we had no choice but to issue an urgent notification for improvement”.

“[The prison] will require sustained support and investment if the jail is to provide decent living conditions, keep prisoners safe and provide them with the skills they need to succeed in life outside prison,” he said.

It is the ninth prison to be issued with an urgent notification since November 2022.

The notice places the jail in special measures and means the Justice Secretary has to produce an action plan for improvement.