Inspectors give their verdict on city prison

INSPECTORS HAVE praised a high security jail in Wakefield for achieving a calm and orderly atmosphere despite the fact it holds some of the “most challenging” prisoners in the country.

HMP Wakefield holds up to 700 men, the majority of whom have been convicted for sexual or violent offences.

Some 60 per cent of the prisoners in the Category A facility are serving life or indeterminate sentences for public protection, with almost half aged 50 or over and the oldest man aged 91.

Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, today said: “The vast majority were serving sentences of more than 10 years, and included some of the most challenging and complex prisoners in the country. Despite this, the prison was calm and had an atmosphere that spoke of good order, safety, security and decency.”

Inspectors found an “impressive set of initiatives and good work” which could be shared across the prison service.

However, the inspection carried out in June 2018 identified “a problem that was not unique to Wakefield, but which was particularly acute there”. This involved “totally unacceptable” delays in the transfer of prisoners under the Mental Health Act to secure accommodation.

Mr Clarke said he would be taking the unusual step of making a direct recommendation to the Prisons Minister in the hope of effective cross-departmental action to address the problem.

Meanwhile, a new report has suggested criminals are being sentenced to “worsened health” when they are sent to prison.

The Health and Social Care Select Committee said poorer health is “too often the outcome” for inmates as a result of “overstretched staff, overcrowding and poor facilities”.

The committee said the Government was “failing” in its duty of care towards prisoners, with too many in unsafe, unsanitary and outdated establishments.