HMP Isle of Wight has submitted a detailed action plan setting out how it intends to tackle the serious failings exposed by inspectors earlier this year, with commitments to overhaul governance, reduce self-harm, combat drugs and violence, and invest millions of pounds in ageing infrastructure.
The 20-page response follows HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ damning inspection, which found the prison was significantly underperforming and highlighted soaring levels of violence, drug use and self-harm, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Among the most striking admissions in the action plan is that self-harm remained the fifth highest of any adult male prison in England and Wales. In response, governors have pledged to investigate every serious self-harm incident within 72 hours, expand the prison’s peer ‘Listener’ scheme and use data more effectively to identify patterns and triggers. Additional psychological support is also due to be provided over the next 12 months.
The prison has also acknowledged inspectors’ concerns that violence and illicit drug use had increased.
A prison-wide drug strategy has already been introduced, while intelligence-led searching will be strengthened with risk-based searches of staff and visitors aimed at reducing the smuggling of illicit items into the prison. A new debt strategy will also be developed in an effort to tackle the links between debt, violence and exploitation.
Use of force – another area criticised by inspectors – will come under greater scrutiny through reintroduced oversight meetings, improved governance and a commitment to reduce backlogs in reviewing incidents to no more than 14 days.
The response also reveals the scale of investment planned to address the deteriorating condition of the prison estate.
Security gate upgrades are already underway at Albany with an investment of around £373,000, while similar works at Parkhurst worth around £287,000 are due to take place later this year.
The biggest financial commitment is an estimated £11million project to replace the central laundry, with work expected to begin at the end of August and continue until the end of 2027. The prison also plans to resubmit bids for further funding to tackle structural problems, including roof repairs and improvements to residential units.
Inspectors had also criticised poor living conditions, including unhygienic shower facilities and the electronic night sanitation system. In response, shower refurbishments are to continue across Albany and Parkhurst, new cleanliness inspections will be introduced and prisoners will even compete in inter-wing cleanliness competitions linked to incentive schemes. Officials also plan to review how the controversial night sanitation system operates using prisoner feedback.
The action plan further acknowledges that prisoners were spending too long locked in their cells, particularly those not in work, education or training. Governors say operating procedures will be reviewed to maximise time out of cells, while new activity opportunities will be created for retired prisoners, those with disabilities, long-term health conditions and others who struggle to access existing programmes.
Healthcare also features heavily in the response after inspectors criticised governance and record keeping. Practice Plus Group has committed to clearing incident review backlogs, improving complaint handling, strengthening clinical governance and improving the quality of medical record keeping.
Elsewhere, HMP Isle of Wight has promised to improve equality monitoring after inspectors found leaders had failed to act on evidence showing disproportionate outcomes for some groups. The prison will work with the Zahid Mubarak Trust to strengthen scrutiny, improve discrimination reporting and develop equality ambassadors.
