Her Majesty’s inspectors have today published an inspection report for HMP Isle of Wight.
Following the unannounced inspection earlier this year, although the prison has been rated as “reasonably good” with the care of prisoners praised, the report reveals that “many prisoners reported victimisation by other prisoners and staff” and “unusually high levels of physical and sexual assault”.
‘Almost entirely’ sex offenders
The prison, which now holds just over 1,000 men, went through major change in 2009 when the notorious high security Parkhurst Prison merged with Albany and Camp Hill Prisons, with the Camp Hill site closing in 2013.
HMP Isle of Wight’s population is now made up of ‘almost entirely’ all sex offenders, with most of those serving long sentences for serious offences; almost a third were serving life sentences or indeterminate sentences for public protection.
High level of vulnerability
A survey of the prisoners found that 18% of prisoners said they currently felt unsafe against the comparator of 13%.
Prisoners also reported higher levels of victimisation by prisoners
- 36% against 25% said they had been victimised by other prisoners;
- 13% against 7% that they had been physically assaulted;
- and 4% against 1% that they had been sexually abused.
In addition, prisoners reported higher levels of victimisation and assault by staff than the comparator
- 34% said they had been victimised by staff against the comparator of 26%;
- 5% against 3% said they had been physically assaulted;
- and 3% against 1% that they had been sexually abused.
Low levels of drug use
Care for prisoners at risk of self-harm was good and there was little evidence of illegal substance use, with mandatory drug testing rate low at 2.78% against a 5%
target.
The inspectors found that “Use of force was higher than at the previous inspection and at similar prisons, but four prisoners accounted for half the incidents in the previous six months”.
Recommendations for improvement
In concluding their report, the inspectors have made a series of recommendations for improvement.
Full details can be found in the report below.
Source: BBC Hampshire
