Charlie Taylor says Hmp Long Lartin needs more after inspection
Charlie Taylor said hmp long lartin was still too violent after an announced inspection between 23 February and 5 March found too many prisoners felt unsafe and were living in unacceptable conditions. The chief inspector of prisons said the jail was well led and making progress, but outcomes had not improved enough to change any of the scores in its tests.
Charlie Taylor on Long Lartin
Taylor said, "At this announced follow up inspection, we found a well-led prison which was making progress, but outcomes for prisoners had not improved enough to change the scores in any of our tests". He also said the governor had "set clear standards for improvement".
The prison held some of the most dangerous men in the country, and most prisoners were presenting a very high risk of harm while serving long or determinate sentences. Inspectors said violence remained prevalent, the rate of assaults was higher than at similar prisons, and the rate of self-harm remained high.
Violence and self-harm at Long Lartin
Inspectors identified Fifteen key concerns and five priorities. They said leaders had not done enough to understand the underlying causes of violence, support for prisoners in crisis was poor, and many staff failed to engage positively with prisoners. Minority ethnic prisoners reported especially poor relationships with staff.
The report also said four more prisoners had taken their own lives. Morale was low and shortages of experienced officers had weakened delivery, while prisoners spent too much time locked in cells with limited access to meaningful activity.
Cells and workshops at Long Lartin
Conditions in parts of the prison remained poor. An unhygienic night sanitation system was still in use on older wings, and many cells elsewhere lacked heating or hot water. Inspectors said the problems could not be resolved without substantial and sustained investment.
There was some progress. The prison had reduced the supply of illicit drugs, with a steep drop in positive drug tests, and the gym and library were praised for delivering enrichment opportunities. A tutor was also providing in-cell education, including to inmates who were segregated.
