PRT comment: HMIP report on prisoner property

Commenting on today’s HM Inspectorate of Prisons report ‘Unpacking prisoner property’, Ryan Harman, Advice and Information Manager at the Prison Reform Trust said:

“Problems with prisoners’ property have persisted for many years, despite repeated warnings by independent scrutiny bodies. The damage or loss of prisoners’ property undermines the crucial relationship between staff and prisoners. It also results in hours of additional work for staff responding to complaints made by prisoners, who are understandably frustrated by the lack of care shown to their belongings.

“Prison policies now recognise the potential personal and emotional impact of property loss on prisoners. However, the findings of this report, and the repeated calls the Prison Reform Trust receives on this subject to its advice and information service for prisoners, suggests that practice in many prisons lags far behind.

“Staff managing property are impeded by outdated systems. At nearly every stage of the property process, digital solutions could vastly improve the situation. We urge the prison service to develop and invest in effective systems for managing prisoners’ property as part of its wider digital strategy.”