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HMP Styal: Rise in drug taking and self-harm at women's jail - inspection HMP Styal: Rise in drug taking and self-harm at women's jail - inspection
(about 3 hours later)
HMP Styal, which occupies former buildings of an orphanage, is named as the worst for positive drug tests HMP Styal near Wilmslow has been named as the worst in the country for positive drug tests after an inspection in December
An inmate at a prison where inspectors found high levels of self harm had hurt herself 400 times in one year, a report said.An inmate at a prison where inspectors found high levels of self harm had hurt herself 400 times in one year, a report said.
HMP Styal near Wilmslow, Cheshire, was named the worst in the country for positive drug tests after an inspection in December, which also highlighted low staffing levels.HMP Styal near Wilmslow, Cheshire, was named the worst in the country for positive drug tests after an inspection in December, which also highlighted low staffing levels.
The number of cases of self-harm, more than 5,200, had almost doubled at the prison in three years, with a small number of women harming themselves every day, the report by HM Inspector of Prisons said.The number of cases of self-harm, more than 5,200, had almost doubled at the prison in three years, with a small number of women harming themselves every day, the report by HM Inspector of Prisons said.
The Ministry of Justice said staffing had been increased and it was investing in safety improvements.The Ministry of Justice said staffing had been increased and it was investing in safety improvements.
HMP Styal is on the site of a former orphanage
Some 41% of inmates at Styal, which houses about 480 women, had tested positive for drugs, the highest number in England.Some 41% of inmates at Styal, which houses about 480 women, had tested positive for drugs, the highest number in England.
A lack of enough staff was "a fact keenly felt by women", the report said.A lack of enough staff was "a fact keenly felt by women", the report said.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, said: "The vulnerabilities of the women were evidenced everywhere; notably in the amount of mental health need, four self-inflicted deaths, and near doubling of the amount of self-harm recorded since we last inspected.HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, said: "The vulnerabilities of the women were evidenced everywhere; notably in the amount of mental health need, four self-inflicted deaths, and near doubling of the amount of self-harm recorded since we last inspected.
"Many other safety indicators were similarly concerning.""Many other safety indicators were similarly concerning."
Low staffing levels were also highlighted in the reportLow staffing levels were also highlighted in the report
He added: "The lack of access to officers was arguably one of the most important issues to address at Styal."He added: "The lack of access to officers was arguably one of the most important issues to address at Styal."
Most women lived in detached houses that required urgent and significant investment to address fire safety concerns and provide basic levels of decency, inspectors said.Most women lived in detached houses that required urgent and significant investment to address fire safety concerns and provide basic levels of decency, inspectors said.
Education provision needed improvement as did release planning, they added.Education provision needed improvement as did release planning, they added.
The report praised the work being done to support women to maintain family ties while in jail and also commended extra support for new arrivals.The report praised the work being done to support women to maintain family ties while in jail and also commended extra support for new arrivals.
But prisons charity NACRO said it was "shocking" that the report showed most of the women who had been released from Styal were "homeless or without sustainable housing".But prisons charity NACRO said it was "shocking" that the report showed most of the women who had been released from Styal were "homeless or without sustainable housing".
The prison's mother and baby unit was visited by the Princess of Wales in FebruaryThe prison's mother and baby unit was visited by the Princess of Wales in February
Campbell Robb, NACRO chief executive, said: "Failure to secure a safe space for women upon release not only endangers them at a moment of immense vulnerability, it also fundamentally undermines efforts to rebuild their lives after prison."Campbell Robb, NACRO chief executive, said: "Failure to secure a safe space for women upon release not only endangers them at a moment of immense vulnerability, it also fundamentally undermines efforts to rebuild their lives after prison."
He said it was "deeply troubling, yet unsurprising" that more women were "turning to substance misuse and self-harm to cope at HMP Styal".He said it was "deeply troubling, yet unsurprising" that more women were "turning to substance misuse and self-harm to cope at HMP Styal".
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The Lord Chancellor has created a Women's Justice Board so fewer women end up sent to prison and this report shows how urgent that work is.A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The Lord Chancellor has created a Women's Justice Board so fewer women end up sent to prison and this report shows how urgent that work is.
"Staffing at the prison has now increased and we are investing in safety improvements so that women at HMP/YOI Styal are better supported.""Staffing at the prison has now increased and we are investing in safety improvements so that women at HMP/YOI Styal are better supported."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.