HMP Winchester is suffering from a 'staffing crisis' as overcrowding, violence, and drug use continue to blight the facility, according to a new report. 

In its annual paper published today, the independent monitoring board (IMB) found that, although there have been some improvements, the Romsey Road jail was suffering from the loss of experienced staff, a high turnover of prisoners, a persistent atmosphere of violence, and vermin-infested, crumbling, outdated buildings.

However, the board did commend senior managers for their hard work and care for prisoners under such challenging conditions.

It recognised that Covid-19 had remained the overriding influence on efforts to deliver a humane, fair, and decent environment for the inmates, despite the prison’s management of the pandemic remaining largely effective.

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That, coupled with a lack of resources, had led to a continued unsatisfactory nature of the living conditions, availability of drugs and contraband, and a prevailing atmosphere of volatility.

It surmised recruitment, training, and retention of skilled staff has been 'extremely difficult' in a region where other, better-paid, less stressful jobs are available.

The Victorian jail's facilities were also once again thrust under the spotlight. While major refurbishment and fire safety work on the main wings is almost complete, standards of cleanliness were found to vary 'considerably' between locations. 

Vermin such as pigeons and rats were said to have caused additional issues by damaging cabling, and even the contractor’s attempt to rid the jail of the issue through poison resulted in the rats’ decomposing bodies being left near working areas.

The Chronicle previously received reports that damaged cabling had caused problems with defendants appearing at court via live link.

Facilities such as heating and hot water for showers were regularly disrupted by breakdowns.

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Throughout the year there were issues with leaking roofs, causing danger from wet electrical equipment and exposed asbestos. 

During one incident the water supply for the whole prison had to be turned off for 24 hours. 

The report revealed chunks of masonry from the chapel ceiling have also fallen, leading to areas being roped off for fear of endangering those who visit.

Overcrowding persisted, with most prisoners sharing cells originally designed for one and, during Covid restrictions, held in their cells for 22 hours a day.

Despite a slight reduction in the number of assaults on staff, the prison remained a violent place. Younger prisoners were responsible for a disproportionate number of violent incidents.

Self-harm was also prevalent, but regulators said the management of vulnerable and challenging prisoners has seen a 'marked improvement'.

The IMB expressed serious concerns last year about the coverage and effectiveness of the CCTV system and said it was 'disappointed' by the responses of both the Minister and HMPPS. The board said this remains a significant safety risk.

However, it welcomed the fact that work has started on a new care and segregation unit (CSU). The old CSU, which housed up to seven of the most challenging prisoners, has been condemned as a ‘dungeon’ in successive IMB reports.

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IMB chairman Rob Heather said: "Although there has been some improvement, there are many areas where the prison fell short of the standards required, including high levels of violence and not enough purposeful activity. Staff shortages and Covid restrictions meant that basic welfare checks were often not carried out, and the key worker scheme, which is meant to ensure meaningful interaction between staff and prisoners, was very severely curtailed."

Prison chiefs say several measures have already been taken to mitigate the issues. Bosses have installed indestructible observation glass panels to reduce prisoner-on-staff assaults as the majority of assaults are a result of prisoners spitting or throwing liquid through damaged panels.

Various approaches including tailored support plans are also being put in place to work on prisoner behaviour.

The facility insists it has already replaced cell windows and is installing improved CCTV cameras and water tank systems.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Assaults on staff have fallen by 12 per cent and we have invested £125 million into prison security across the country, including at HMP Winchester, to ensure violence falls further.

 “We are increasing staffing and have boosted prison officer pay to at least £30,000 with an extra £3,000 for some of the lowest paid, helping us reward and retain hardworking prison officers.”