These are our initial thoughts on HM Prison and Probation Service's Action Plan in response to the Chief Inspector of Prison’s Urgent Notification of 9 May at HMP Wandsworth and his full report published on 6 August.
We are planning a full response to the Action Plan within the next couple of weeks that we will share with Lord Timpson, HMPPS and the Governor, Andy Davy. There is much that we want to say, but here are our initial thoughts.
The Governor is shown as responsible for almost all the actions in the Plan, but it is HMPPS, the Ministry of Justice and Secretary of State who are accountable for ensuring that there are long-term sustainable improvements at the prison, and this should have been acknowledged in the Plan.
We welcome the Governor's plans for staff engagement and training, and his aim of bringing about a more positive and respectful culture throughout HMP Wandsworth.
Many of the actions outlined are shown to be completed by the end of August 2024. We will be asking how changes made now will be sustained through the coming months and years.
The £22m window replacement project is still awaiting final tender and is now not scheduled to be completed until October 2027. This is essential work that needs to be prioritised, given the problems with the heating and the increasing delivery of drugs by drones.
Similarly, it is deeply disappointing that the £13m shower project is still at the design and survey stage and has an estimated completion date of July 2029. There is no mention whatsoever of the central heating boilers which regularly misfunction.
There are many areas of concern to us that are not addressed directly in this Plan. These include, among others, plans to reduce the severe overcrowding, the long-delayed opening of the new health care centre, access to books, the lack of information and local input on contracts and the availability of clothing and other essentials.
We will continue to press for long-term sustained improvements across areas of concern.
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