PRT comment: PPO report on staff behaviour in prisons

Commenting on the findings of today’s Learning Lessons Bulletin on staff behaviour in prisons by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

“The scale of concern identified in this report should prompt urgent reflection across the prison system. Most prison officers work hard under immense pressure and demonstrate remarkable professionalism. But where poor conduct, inadequate investigations or failures to preserve evidence occur, they damage trust and make prisons less safe for everyone. The findings suggest not only individual failings but systemic weaknesses in accountability and oversight.

“People in prison must be confident that complaints will be investigated fairly and independently, while staff should be supported to uphold the highest professional standards. A safe prison is one where rules are applied consistently, concerns are taken seriously and there is confidence that misconduct will be addressed. These findings underline the need for greater transparency and stronger mechanisms for holding prisons to account when standards are not met.”