PRT comment: HMP Winchester receives Urgent Notification

Commenting on the announcement that HM Inspectorate of Prison has issued an Urgent Notification for conditions at HMP Winchester, Mark Day, Deputy Director of the Prison Reform Trust said:

“Winchester is the fourth prison this year to have been issued with an urgent notification. Extraordinarily violent; little to nothing to occupy prisoners’ time constructively—fuelling frustration, drug use and debt; and people forced to live and work in dreadful conditions which inspectors questioned whether they were fit for habitation.

“Inspectors are right to lay the blame on systematic failings within the prison service and Ministry of Justice. This week’s sentencing review highlights a dawning realisation at the very top of government that a radical change to our approach to imprisonment is needed.”