HMP Isle of Wight was graded during an unannounced inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons last month.
The establishment, of Parkhurst Road in Newport, was graded during a recent inspection between 5th – 7th June 2023.
HMP Isle of Wight is a high-security category B prison that holds a large proportion of category C prisoners (70%). The review found good or reasonable progress against all but one concern raised at the previous inspection. At the time of the visit, there was a population of 1,083 prisoners, mostly convicted of sexual offences.
Following the last inspection in 2022 – where it was noted that the therapeutic and rehabilitative purpose of the prison was not sufficiently prioritised – leaders had taken the findings of the inspection very seriously and acted swiftly even visiting other establishments across the country to see how they manage prisoners convicted of sexual offences.
There were still not enough staff in specialist roles. The work of the offender management unit (OMU) remained considerably compromised with less than half the required probation officers in post, a situation unchanged since the inspection in 2022. Caseloads were much too high: one offender manager oversaw 218 prisoners.
During the report, it was cited that staffing issues are still a problem at HMP Isle of Wight but a more reliable regime was being delivered across the premises. Leaders were trying a variety of methods to recruit staff and had recently been given permission to advertise nationally for some roles, using financial incentives. However, it was still a constant struggle given the location of the prison.
The delivery of accredited programmes was moving ahead with some confidence and there was better management of the release of high-risk prisoners.
Overall, it was found that progress was being made and the majority of the concerns and issues noted at the 2022 inspection were being acted upon.
A lot of experienced staff left from all the sites left when Camp Hill was closed as a cost cutting measure by the government, now it’s coming back to bite them.
Yes being an ex Camphill officer who had no choice but to go to Albany , I did find the transition very hard to adjust to. I have left now and I would never want to go back. If I had my way I would bring back hard labour for the lighter crimes and the death penalty for child killers.
Not sure I’d trust our police and prosecution service to get the right person for that
They are in there for a reason, disgusting excuses for human beings. I agree they should be locked up where they can only hurt themselves no one else. I’m sure the families of the affected victims will agree??
They don’t deserve compassion.
WHEN RELEASED DO ALL THOSE SEX CRIMINALS STAY ON OUR ISLAND!!
No they don’t.
Unannounced Inspection? They knew about it for months. They were counting down the days in the administration building on a board in the foyer.
They covered up everything they had to for three days.
The main problem is the bully of a Governor and an excellent model of “The Peter Principle”
The prison lacks decency and respect for staff.
you don’t need to “manage” prisoners – you simply put them in the cell, shut and lock the door. One person is needed to push a tray of food and water through a door hatch three times a day – if no tray returned, no more food.
when the convict dies in the cell either of old age, illness or by their own hand, the same person that put the food through, calls the undertakers, to remove the worthless carcass. cell gets cleaned ready for next lifer.
hardly needs much time and money spent doing that.
Are you suggesting that all prisoners should be in prison until they die? We currently have a prison population of around 80,000, and there are around 6 million crimes committed each year. If everyone convicted to prison was to stay until they were dead, we wouldn’t be able to build prisons fast enough to keep up!
Or are you suggesting that rehabilitation should be forgotten about but sentencing guidelines remain the same, meaning when prisoners are released there have been no effort put in to changing their mindsets or behaviours?
read the message -it clearly says “lifer” in it.
Ha ok.. My fault… because you definitely didn’t start the comment talking about “managing prisoners”.
So if you were only talking about people given a life sentence, you do realise that the average length of a life sentence is 15-20 years before parole? So again, are you suggesting that rehabilitation should be forgotten about but sentencing guidelines remain the same, meaning when prisoners are released there have been no effort put in to changing their mindsets or behaviours?
lifers meaning natural life – there is no need for rehab – they will die in prison, don’t waste the money on them.
Popcorn on the go.
Awaiting the reply
Now you’re making even less sense! So how will anyone know which prisoners are going to die in prison and which ones won’t die in prison? How will anyone know which ones we would be wasting money on and which ones need the rehabilitation?
it isn’t difficult – “sentenced to full life term in prison” as some already are – lock the door, forget about them, they are s cum that deserve nothing but misery, isolation and destitution until they die in their cell – either, natural, by their own hand or ill health – who cares, let the filth suffer.
So what about the prisoners that aren’t “sentenced to full life term in prison”?
Yeah… Real intelligent answer. Jeez.
give it a rest zoe- unless you are happy to have a filthy murdering pervert live next door to you, that has been “rehabilitated” after 20 years in jail, when really and truthfully it should just be left in the cell, locked up to die. hint – there is no such thing as rehabilitation for murderers and perverts. society never, forgives or forgets.
Not surprised no-one wants to work there. Sh** pay and unsocial hours. Why even would u?