Prison condemned as 'backwater'

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A low-security prison has been condemned as a "backwater" that has failed to improve by the chief inspector of prisons.

In her report on HMP Camp Hill on the Isle of Wight, Anne Owers said the Category C training prison lacked a "coherent and positive" direction.

The report found that on the inspection day 220 out of the prison's 580 inmates were not carrying out vocational work.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said a review of the jail was now under way.

Camp Hill has suffered from a lack of investment which has limited the work it has been able to do Michael Spurr, HM Prison Service

Ms Owers said: "HMP Camp Hill had effectively become a backwater, out of the mainstream of the changes and improvements within the prison system in recent years, and trapped in a negative and minimal view of what it could offer prisoners.

"There are undoubtedly some serious and underlying problems: a chronic lack of investment in vocational skills opportunities, and the prison's location, far from most prisoners' homes and employment opportunities."

The report found inmates enjoyed little in the way of activity, rarely attained qualifications, had little time out of cells and some were unable to shower daily.

There had also been "slippage" in suicide and self-harm prevention procedures and links with the prisoners' main home areas, London and Hampshire, were virtually non-existent.

Review commissioned

However, Ms Owers said relationships between staff and prisoners were generally good and many staff wanted to improve the services available to prisoners.

Michael Spurr, Deputy Director General of the Prison Service, said: "As the chief inspector points out, Camp Hill has suffered from a lack of investment which has limited the work it has been able to do.

"The new governor has commissioned a review of the prison's regime which will look at the options to improve and maximise activity for prisoners.

"I am confident that he and his staff will use the report's findings to develop Camp Hill into a more effective category C prison."