News / Bristol Prison
‘Challenging experience’ for inmates at Bristol Prison
A damning report has revealed that drugs, alcohol and mobile phones are still accessible to inmates at Bristol Prison.
The prison remains overcrowded with most prisoners sharing cells originally designed for one person, while there is limited general mental health support for those not in immediate crisis.
A lack of digital information systems for prisoners also means that every task needs to be carried out via paper forms. “These take longer to process which results in considerable frustration for prisoners and additional work for staff.”
is needed now More than ever
According to the new report, improvements are being made but “outdated resources (are) slowing positive progress” and “the experience for prisoners is still challenging”.
The annual report from the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) says that violent incidents are lower than in previous years but remain higher than at similar prisons in England and Wales.
The number of staff has increased, “enabling more prisoners to attend education and work and reducing the time spent locked up in overcrowded prison cells”.
IMB Bristol chair, Eric Gatling, said: “Prisoners at HMP Bristol are getting a better experience than a year ago due to the improvements made by the governor and her staff.
“However, there is still work to be done to get the safety levels for prisoners and staff to that of other similar prisons.
“The board believes that should staffing numbers reduce in the future there is a strong chance that the recent improvements experienced by prisoners at HMP Bristol will not be sustained.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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