MP Hopes for Swift Recovery at Winchester Prison

A report published into conditions at Winchester Prison makes for grim reading. The prison has been described in the HM Inspectorate of Prisons report as "overcrowded" and "deteriorated". 

Two severely disabled prisoners were found in a cell designed for one - they had not showered for months and relied on other prisoners to take them their meals. 

One third of the inmates told inspectors that illegal drugs were "easily available". More than half of the prisoners had felt unsafe at some time.

Chief Inspector of Prisons - Nick Hardwick - did say in the report though that many staff "did their best".

Frances Crook is the Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, and is said to be disturbed that the prison is in such a state, having previously had a good reputation.

Winchester's MP Steve Brine met with David Rogers the Governor of HMP Winchester, for their first formal discussion since Mr Rogers took over the running of the Romsey Road prison. It's understood that they both discussed what might be contained in the report. Steve Brine gave his reaction to the report to Winchester Today:

"The IMB Annual Report last Autumn did not make comfortable reading and people will remember it raised some serious areas of concern With another new Governor coming on board late last year, while it is no surprise the report of HM Inspectorate is so damning, its findings are no less disturbing.

“A busy local prison will always suffer from the constant churn of prisoners but I have been concerned for some time that constant changes in leadership were having a negative effect on the prison, not least in its ability to meet the key objective of reducing re-offending. I met very recently with our new Governor David Rogers and there is certainly no hiding from the bare truths of this report. I do however, share the inspector’s view that there are positive signs of a determined effort to tackle Winchester’s problems, including a very tough new programme to tackle the high prevalence of drugs. The new prison team now need the stability and the space to put this right.”