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HMP Hewell 'dirty and dangerous' | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The performance of a Worcestershire prison has deteriorated sharply in the three years since its previous inspection, a report said. | |
It added inspectors found HMP Hewell was unacceptably dirty, there were high levels of assaults and some staff appeared to lack motivation. | |
The inspection in November 2012 identified "significant concerns", the HM Inspectorate of Prisons report said. | The inspection in November 2012 identified "significant concerns", the HM Inspectorate of Prisons report said. |
The jail said "decisive action" had been taken. | |
Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick said much of the jail "provided an unsafe and degrading environment". | Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick said much of the jail "provided an unsafe and degrading environment". |
He said: "Managers at a local and national level need to be very clear that the current level of performance is not acceptable, and ensure that effective and robust action is taken." | He said: "Managers at a local and national level need to be very clear that the current level of performance is not acceptable, and ensure that effective and robust action is taken." |
HM Inspectorate of Prisons said 35% of prisoners on the closed side and 42% on the open side said it was easy to get drugs, which was much higher than in comparable jails. | |
There had been 94 reported prisoner-on-prisoner assaults at the closed site in six months before the inspection, which was significantly higher than at other similar jails, the report said. | There had been 94 reported prisoner-on-prisoner assaults at the closed site in six months before the inspection, which was significantly higher than at other similar jails, the report said. |
But the inspectorate also said prisoners were generally positive about relations with staff, disciplinary processes were generally well managed and the quality of learning, skills and work activities was good. | But the inspectorate also said prisoners were generally positive about relations with staff, disciplinary processes were generally well managed and the quality of learning, skills and work activities was good. |
The National Offender Management Service, on behalf of the prison, said the jail had been through a significant period of restructuring and change. | |
The service's chief executive officer, Michael Spurr, said: "At the time of the inspection the prison's performance was below acceptable standards although the new governor was working hard to address the deficiencies. | |
"Since the inspection we have strengthened the management team." | |
Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform charity, said: "This is a damning report into a dirty, dangerous and drug-ridden prison, where cleaning materials are difficult to get hold of, but alcohol is readily available." | |