Inmates in cells 23 hours a day during pandemic
BUT REPORT SAYS PRISONERS HAVE BEEN KEPT ENTERTAINED WITH BINGO AND TV
A REPORT has lifted the lid on how the coronavirus pandemic has changed life for inmates at one of Greater Manchester’s largest prisons.
It reveals how prisoners at Forest Bank in Salford have been confined to their cells for 23 hours a day.
But the report also says in-cell bingo games have been organised, while all inmates have been given TVs on which they can watch dedicated prison channel Way Out TV. The channel includes shows on exercise, education and getting back into work.
Written by the Independent Monitoring Board, the report praises Forest Bank bosses and staff for reacting to the crisis in an ‘extremely professional manner.’ As an example of the difficulties the virus posed the report highlights how on one day in late October, nine prisoners and 14 staff members had coronavirus and 114 members of staff were isolating.
New inmates are tested on their first day inside, then have to isolate until the sixth day, when they’re tested again and if negative allowed to join the main prison.
Time in the exercise yard is limited to just 30 minutes a day, with an additional half an hour to shower, use the kiosk or make telephone calls.
The prison gym has also been closed although staff have organised in-cell workouts.
Inspectors say the restrictions have been ‘challenging and frustrating’ for inmates. During Covid, levels of self-harm among prisoners have
‘fluctuated,’ but is generally lower than the previous inspection.
Between November 2019 and October 2020 – the period covered by the report – there were two deaths at the prison, one believed to be of natural causes and the other self-inflicted.
There’s also been a ‘steady reduction’ in violence in the prison during the coronavirus pandemic.
Matt Spencer, director at HMP Forest Bank, said: “We welcome the latest annual report from the IMB and are pleased that reduced violence, selfharm and accidents were highlighted, especially during this very difficult period for us all. Whilst we are proud that this report recognises continued progress over the year, we take on board all comments made.”