IMPROVEMENTS at Winchester Prison were set back by the Covid pandemic, says the jail watchdogs in its annual report.

The prison remains a violent place with assaults between inmates higher than in all similar 'local' jails across England and second-highest for attacks on staff.

The watchdogs, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), say the impact of mental health issues, violence, drugs and overcrowding undermines safety and effective rehabilitation.

It said: "The continued impact amongst new arrivals with mental health issues and a history of self harm exacerbates the strain on safety, creating the underlying volatile atmosphere on the main wings."

In its 2020-21 report released today, the IMB presents a mixed picture of conditions and treatment of prisoners. It praised the managers for the way their handled the pandemic and for the inmates who were locked in cells for 23 hours a day and "tolerance and understanding of the situation was impressive". Only two inmates died of Covid and both contracted the virus outside the prison.

But the report said the 23-hour-a-day lockdown, “cannot be regarded as humane”. A small number had only 45 minutes out of their cells for just three days a week.

However, the restoration of a more positive regime is a significant challenge, in a prison with a largely short-term population and an extremely high turnover. The jail is now out of 'special measures'

The watchdogs are also worried about the chronic shortage of suitable accommodation for released prisoners which means that more than half left the prison with no fixed address.

The Board notes that this is a major cause of reoffending, and is likely to get worse following the withdrawal of funding for the Homeless Prevention Taskforce.

More positively, the Board notes that work has started to replace the segregation unit, which has been condemned in previous IMB reports, and the main wings are being refurbished. However, the core fabric of the prison, with its falling masonry and crumbling brickwork cannot create a safe or progressive environment. Rats are a problem in the basement control room poison kills the vermin but creates an unpleasant stench, said the report.

Facilities for the disabled, previously highlighted, are still inadequate.

Angus Somerville, chairman of the IMB, said that there had been improvement in some areas, notably the management of those with mental health issues.

“However, levels of violence, drug use and self-harm exacerbate the strain on safety, creating an underlying volatile atmosphere on the main wings”, he said.

There were no suicides in the report period June 1 2020 to May 31 2021.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “While the Board praised the professional way the prison was run during a uniquely difficult year, the need for further strong action has been recognised.

“Violence among prisoners has fallen significantly since the time covered by this report, and we are tackling assaults on staff by a small minority of prisoners with better training which is already having an impact.”

Most of the assaults on staff involved only four inmates. Training has been improved to reduce the use of force needed in dealing with them.

Refurbishment of the buildings are ongoing.

Steve Brine MP said: “We will all wish to study this report carefully but it’s obvious there are some persistent themes recurring around the core fabric of the prison which remains in a challenging state in places. I am pleased we have some consistent leadership now at HMP Winchester and we need to see that continue for several years. It is good to see work has begun to replace the segregation unit which the Lord Chancellor saw on his visit last year.

“On a personal note, we should give great thanks to Angus Somerville who finishes his term chairing the IMB. He has done a robust and professional job in very challenging circumstances for a number of years.”