Report reveals HMP Durham failed to improve on drug use, violence. Prisoner safety remains a major concern.
Inspectors visited HMP Durham in January to check on progress. They focused on safety and prisoner wellbeing. Cleanliness and community reintegration were also assessed.
The report showed little to no progress in most areas. Drug use inside the prison has increased a lot, as evidenced by positive drug tests rising from 18% to 24%. Violence related to drugs is also on the rise. Authorities tried to stop the drug supply, but some inmates still said they felt unsafe in the prison.
Assaults on staff remained low. However, assaults between prisoners rose by almost 60%, leading inspectors to conclude that the prison has made “insufficient progress” on security.
HMP Durham holds many new inmates and is constantly full. Overcrowding causes problems, like prisoners locked up most of the day. Most cells hold two inmates, but are only meant for one.
About 820 prisoners live in tight, cramped conditions. Cells were cleaner, but improvement was “insufficient.” Prisoners’ first night health checks were often missed, and screenings and interviews did not happen correctly. 340 health screenings were missed in six months.
Mental health transfers to hospitals took far too long. Only three of twenty transfers met the national guidelines. It took much longer than it should have.
A prior report stated that drugs were thriving in the prison. Prisoners often had to pick between essential activities such as showers, medicine, and fresh air. Leaders aimed to provide decent living conditions overall.
Referrals for housing increased for prisoners. These leaders wanted to identify housing needs before release. Progress has been made on helping prisoners return home. Housing referrals were up by about a third as leaders focus on housing solutions now.
The Ministry of Justice was contacted for their response.