Inspectors hail ‘solid progress’ at prison

The inspection of HMP Lindholme, near Doncaster, found that the prison had made safety improvements and provided “plenty of purposeful activity” – but there was still “plenty of scope for further improvements”.

A previous inspection at the category C prison, which also has responsibility for the adjacent immigration removal centre, said there were “significant shortfalls in safety”, but this unannounced inspection found a “much safer establishment”.

Chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick said: “Commendably, staff and managers had addressed most of the weaknesses in safety that had concerned us on our previous inspection.

“Lindholme also remained an appropriately busy and purposeful training prison. However, there remained plenty of scope for further improvements, for example in diversity, catering and resettlement.

“The overall picture is one of solid progress.”

Inspectors said they were pleased to find that there was good care for those at risk of self-harm and a “robust” approach to violence and bullying. Relationships between staff and prisoners were “positive”, while 90 per cent of inmates were “engaged in some form of purposeful activity” and there was a “reasonable amount of work and vocational training”.

However, inspectors said they were concerned that limited resources and staff absences had impacted upon the provision for black and minority ethnic prisoners, foreign nationals and prisoners with disabilities.

The report listed 106 recommendations including the provision of interpreting services for prisoners with poor English and cells designed for one prisoner not to be used for two.

It was also outlined that prisoners should spend 10 hours out of their cell each day.