HMP Featherstone praised by second report in a week

An independent monitoring board (IMB) has praised the prison for "heeding its concerns" and making "considerable improvements" after the jail was previously deemed to be one of the worst in the country.

In 2017 the prison was so rife with violence and drugs that prisoners were locking themselves away to try and escape it all. Inspectors also found prisoner's showers in a 'disgraceful condition', inmates struggling to get access to 'basic essentials' including clean sheets and being forced to live in 'dirty' cells with poor ventilation.

The IMB expressed further concerns around the number of prisoners self-harming and the availability of mobile phones and sim cards.

Now however the board, which is made up of unpaid volunteers, has praised the prison.

A report released this week said: "The Board is very pleased to report that the Governing Governor and his SMT (senior management team) have heeded our concerns and focused on making considerable improvements to the establishment ensuring HMP Featherstone is a much safer and decent place for both prisoners and staff to live and work in.

"The atmosphere within the prison has improved and the relationships between prisoners and staff are significantly better. A culture of mutual respect is positively encouraged for the benefit of everyone."

The prison is still suffering from a drug problem however, with the Express & Star revealing that a quarter of inmates at the jail have become hooked on illegal substances while behind bars.

The IMB report added: "Focus for the future continues to be on reducing levels of violence, reducing the availability of drugs and other illicit items and bringing down the numbers of prisoners who self-harm. It is hoped that the introduction this year, of the Rehabilitive Culture and OMic (Offender Management in custody) models, as well as extra staffing, will ensure that those held in custody are better supported through key workers and as a consequence, make prisons places of safety and reform.

"The excellent work done by prisoner peer representatives around the establishment should be applauded. The Prison Council includes a group of elected prisoners, who represent the wider prison community and whose goal is to make prison life better for everyone. This is an ideal opportunity for prisoners to contribute to the way they are treated by working closely with prison staff to create a better environment for all."

Prisons Minister Rory Stewart, said: “This is the second inspection report in a week to commend the significant improvements at Featherstone.

“The board’s praise shows 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 or English and Maths at the prison”.