Wandsworth independent review of progress 2022
Report for Wandsworth Prison
Summary
we found it was reasonable or better in six of the 12 areas reviewed. 1.4 It was good to see substantial improvements in the governance of use of force. Leaders had established robust oversight of incidents and took appropriate action when they identified poor practice by staff. In addition, support for foreign national prisoners, who made up 45% of the population, had been transformed. Home Office staff were now on site running regular wing surgeries and prisoners received good support from Catch 22 and BEST. 1.5 In education, assessments of English and mathematics now took place on arrival and the number of accredited qualifications offered had improved in classroom-based subjects. However, accredited qualifications were more limited in vocational training. 1.6 The new mental health provider had also made progress in addressing the widespread deficiencies identified at the inspection. While the Report of an independent review of progress at HMP Wandsworth 3 service remained frail, staffing levels were improving and there was now better identification of the mental health needs of new arrivals. 1.7 Less positively, violence had increased since the time of the inspection. While investigations of violent incidents and oversight of plans to challenge perpetrators and support victims of violence had improved, many residential officers were unclear about their role in plans to reduce violence and lacked confidence in challenging poor behaviour on the wings.