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HMP Featherstone improves dramatically but still faces major drug problem

A quarter of inmates at HMP Featherstone have become hooked on drugs while behind bars – despite the jail being hailed as one of the most improved in the country.

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HMP Featherstone

A new report into the jail has found it has come on leaps and bounds in two years, but that it is still battling a major drug problem.

In 2016, when the jail was at its worst with prisoners locking themselves up to escape the high levels of violence, around one-fifth said they had become addicted to drugs whilst inside.

This figure has now risen to around a quarter, with 61 per cent saying drugs are easily obtainable.

New psychoactive substances remain the most prevalent drug used, with Peter Clarke, the chief inspector of prisons across the country, warning they "continue to pose a significant threat to the health and safety of prisoners and staff."

Mr Clarke's report into the jail also highlighted a rise in self-harm, which has more than doubled since the last inspection. Two prisoners accounted for nearly a third of the recorded incidents.

Overall the prison is said to have improved remarkably, attracting praise from both Mr Clarke and prisons minister Rory Stewart.

Inspectors found staff had become confident in dealing with inmates and that there was a calm atmosphere in the jail.

Improvement

Mr Clarke said: "Staff-prisoner relationships reflected this broad improvement and were now good. A largely inexperienced staff group were well supported by supervisors and managers and most prisoners indicated that they felt respected.

"Residential units were calm and ordered and staff demonstrated the confidence to challenge poor behaviour. Much of the site needed refurbishment but, again, living conditions were better than when we last inspected. Cells were cleaner and properly equipped and there was good access to kit and amenities.

"Prisoners disliked the food and arrangements to deal with applications and complaints needed to be better, but consultation with prisoners was good.

"The promotion of equality and diversity was better than we usually see and outcomes for protected groups were reasonable. Health services were similarly reasonably good."

Outcomes in respect, purposeful activity and rehabilitation are all now considered sufficiently good, with only concerns over safety remaining.

Mr Clarke added: "The key message of this inspection was one of improvement. The prison had come a considerable distance in a relatively brief period of time.

"Staff were supported to do their job and, despite many having been recruited quite recently, they knew the prisoners well and afforded them meaningful care and support. Energy and initiative were evidenced throughout the prison, being reflected in tangible benefits for those detained and the improved assessments.

"The governor, managers and the whole staff group should be congratulated for what they were achieving.”

Purposeful

Mr Clarke said much of the prison's improvement has been underpinned by a "much more purposeful daily regime" with "predictable" routines and prisoners being unlocked for a good amount of time each day.

Michael Spurr, the chief executive of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, said: “The Governor and staff at Featherstone have worked hard to achieve a consistent and purposeful regime and the improvement since the last inspection is commendable.

"There is a comprehensive plan in place to further improve safety across the prison by tackling drug use and ensuring every prisoner has a dedicated officer to support them through their sentence”.

Prisons Minister Rory Stewart added: “The clear improvements at Featherstone show that even the worst performing prisons can be turned around with the right leadership and a clear strategy.

“We’ll be building on this momentum over the coming months by working closer with the police and healthcare to continue driving down the use of drugs, and violence in turn, as well as strengthening the teaching of English and maths at the prison."

HMP Featherstone is a Category C prison, currently holding around 637 prisoners – the majority of whom are serving long sentences.

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