Howard League responds to inspection report on Spring Hill

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons’ reports on Spring Hill prison, published today (Friday 19 August).

Inspectors visited the prison and found that the majority of prisoners were underemployed and unmotivated by the work, education and activities programmes available.

Spring Hill, a category D prison, was found to have too many of its cohort without meaningful work. Only 70 of its 241 inhabitants were in full-time paid work, training, or education.

The report found significant issue in the conditions of the prison, with Spring Hill’s accommodation being deemed “awful” and its infrastructure “inadequate”. While the prison’s governor and staff were commended for their progress since the last inspection in March 2021, the prison was seen to be running under capacity due to deterioration and its progress was seen to be stalled due to lack of investment and unsatisfactory facilities.

Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “The best way to guide someone away from crime is to ensure they have somewhere to live and the means to provide for them and their family.

“This report from Spring Hill shows that prisoners are not adequately being prepared for life in the real world, and are being failed through insufficient opportunity to carry out productive sentences.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. The inspection report for Spring Hill is available on Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons website.

Contact

Noor Khan
Press and Public Affairs Officer
Mobile: +44 (0)20 7241 7873
Email: noor.khan@howardleague.org