Prison ‘failed to address suicide and self-harm toll’
ADAMNING inspection report into Swansea Prison has found it has an “inexcusable” approach to the safety of vulnerable prisoners, reflecting concerns over suicides, violence and basic living conditions.
A report from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons has revealed HMP Swansea failed to respond effectively to high levels of self-harm and suicides of new prisoners.
Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons said in 2014, inspectors had warned the prison needed “to be energised, rejuvenated and refocused on delivering better outcomes”, but labelled findings from their inspection in August 2017 as “very disappointing”, stating it was “clear [that] complacency warned about after the last inspection had been allowed to take hold”.
Inspectors described how there had been “four self-inflicted deaths” since the last inspection in 2014 – all of which took place “within the first seven days of arrival at Swansea”.
In addition, 134 incidents of selfharm were recorded.
They stated it was “inexcusable” the prison did not fully act on recommendations by the Prisons
and Probation Ombudsman, which investigates deaths in prisons.
A third of prisoners said they had problems with feeling depressed or suicidal on arrival at Swansea, with 53% stating they had problems with drugs and 32% problems with alcohol on arrival – higher proportions than comparable prisons.
Violence had risen in Swansea since 2014 and drugs were a significant problem, with far too little attention paid to ensuring the 458 men could obtain the “very basics for everyday living”, such as socks, boxer shorts and sheets, the report stated.
Reflecting findings in other jails, captured in HMIP’s 2017 Living Conditions report, inspectors noted Victorian, inner-city HMP Swansea was overcrowded and “prisoners usually had to eat their meals next to their toilets, which did not always have seats or lids”.
A further area of significant concern was that “purposeful activity” fell to the lowest possible HMIP assessment of “poor”, with Mr Clarke observing: “For a prison of this type to have a regime where half the prisoners are locked up during the working day, with unemployed prisoners locked up for around 22 hours each day, was unacceptable”.
The suicide prevention, constantwatch cell was “unwelcoming, dirty and unfurnished”, the inspection report found.
Swansea is currently the fifth most overcrowded jail in England and Wales, according to the Howard League for Penal Reform, while Ministry of Justice figures reveal Swansea was designed to accommodate 268 men but was actually holding 431.
Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “This inspection of Swansea prison should compel ministers to act without delay.
“Swansea is one of the most overcrowded prisons in the country, where men find it easier to get drugs than clean clothes and bedding. But most concerning of all are the terrible findings on self-injury and suicide, which show that this prison is failing to learn lessons from past mistakes and men are dying as a consequence.
“People should not be sent to prison to die. Bold action to reduce the prison population would save lives, protect staff and prevent more people being swept into deeper currents of crime, violence and despair.”
Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins said the report showed the prison was “failing in some basic duties of care” and “not living up to expectations and demands”.
She said: “We need real improvements across the prison estate with prisons being supplied with the resources they need to carry out their responsibilities and the focus moved to rehabilitation, so that we can break the cycle of crime.
“We also need to have responsibility for prisons and policing moved to Wales and the National Assembly, so that we can design tailor-made policy solutions for Welsh prisons which suit our needs and priorities.”
Labour MP for Swansea West Geraint Davies said he felt new arrivals in prisons are “particularly vulnerable” and their early monitoring assessment should be a key priority.
“We need more support for prison and prisoners,” he said.
“One key issue is if prisons are capable of providing resources to rehabilitate prisoners so they can go back into the community instead of simply coming straight back into prison shortly after their release. It makes no economic sense.
“It may be better to invest now and stop people coming back into the entrance shortly after their exit into the community.”
Labour AM for Swansea East Mike Hedges expressed his concern, stating he felt a school would be placed in special measures if it had similar results.
He said: “People are sent to prison to be rehabilitated, and that has got to be the key. If there is an issue, action must be taken.”
Looking ahead, Mr Clarke said the current governor had a number of coherent plans for improvement and had made some progress, adding he had been “enthusiastic about the future” to make it a decent, safe and productive establishment.
Mr Clarke added: “Grudging acceptance of change or passive resistance will not suffice.”
Michael Spurr, chief executive of Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service, said the Governor and his team had taken immediate action since the inspection to strengthen safety arrangements in the prison and reduce self-harm.
“This includes work to improve the level of care and support given to new prisoners in the first night centre,” he said.
“A new senior operational manager has also been recruited to focus on safety and enhanced suicide and self-harm prevention training is being given to staff to increase interventions and support available to vulnerable prisoners.
“I’m pleased the inspector has recognised the progress that has already been made.
“A robust action plan is in place to address the recommendations in this report.”