PRT comment: HMP Guys Marsh

Commenting on the findings of today’s (15 April) report published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on conditions at HMP Guys Marsh, Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

“This is a distressing report, revealing an establishment in significant decline. Inspectors found poor staff-prisoner relationships were contributing directly to the highest rate of self-harm on the Category C estate and a general feeling of malaise across the prison. Training prisons should be rehabilitative environments preparing prisoners for their safe release; but at Guys Marsh nearly three in 10 prisoners were locked in their cells during the working day. The severe operational failings highlighted in this report require urgent attention from prison leaders.”