An independent monitoring board report has labeled HMP Wandsworth, a men's prison in south-west London, as "unsafe and inhumane." The report covers the year from June 1, 2022, to May
31, 2023, and points out that the prison has not made any significant progress during this time.
Years of underinvestment have created an unsafe environment with rising levels of violence. Staff shortages have been a significant issue, making it difficult for the prison to operate effectively. Assaults, including those on staff, have increased by over 20% in all areas.
The conditions in the prison were criticized, with overcrowding and deteriorating Victorian buildings. Many prisoners were forced to share cells designed for single occupancy. The board also noted that there were only 11 shower stalls for 265 men in two wings of the prison.
The IMB report highlights the systemic issues facing Victorian-era prisons in the UK. Similar problems exist in other facilities, such as Pentonville in north London.
The report points out that despite government claims of significant investments, little evidence of improvement is seen at Wandsworth Prison. This situation reflects broader problems within the prison system.
The prison's new multimillion-pound healthcare center has remained unused for more than a year after its planned opening date.
A spokesperson for HM Prison Service stated that they have increased frontline staffing at the prison by nearly a quarter in the past six years. The government is also investing more than £8 million in new CCTV, enhanced gate security, and specialist staff with dogs. Repairs and improvements, including new windows and roof repairs, have been carried out. Photo by Derek Harper, Wikimedia commons.