Drug-use remains problem at prison, inspectors say

An unannounced inspection of a Dorset prison has revealed that it still has problems with drugs, self-harm and preparing prisoners for release.

A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons identified nine key concerns at HMP Portland, with five being classed as priorities.

Those included drug issues - with almost a third of prisoners found to be under the influence of illicit substances.

The Prison Service said the jail had been operating under "immense pressure" and it was taking "urgent action" to tackle the spread of drugs and to reduce self-harm.

Inspectors described the rise in offenders self‑harming as "troubling" and said some very high risk prisoners were released without somewhere to live.

Similar issues were raised in 2022.

But inspectors said Portland had committed staff and improving leadership, but was hampered by the relative remoteness of the site and the age of the infrastructure.

Other priority concerns included clinical leadership and safeguarding supervision not being adequate to ensure patient safety.

Inspectors noted that many prisoners were held a long way from home, without the support of family and friends.

As part of the inspection - which was carried out in January - outcomes for prisoners were measured against four so-called healthy prison tests: safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release.

At this visit of HMP & YOI Portland, inspectors said outcomes for prisoners were:

• Not sufficiently good for safety
• Reasonably good for respect
• Reasonably good for purposeful activity
• Not sufficiently good for preparation for release

Inspectors highlighted some positive improvements since the last inspection in 2022.

They said the prison's employment hub was impressive, and the prison employment lead worked very effectively.

Senior leaders placed a very high emphasis on continuous improvement in education, skills and work.

Leaders conducted a thorough evaluation of the strengths and areas for improvement every month.

Inspectors praised prison staff for understanding the individual circumstances and needs of prisoners in their care, and 73% of prisoners said that most staff treated them with respect.

At the last inspection in 2022 HM Inspectorate of Prisons raised 15 key concerns, six of which were about areas of priority concern.

HMP Portland opened in 1848. In 2011, it transitioned into a mixed adult category C and young offender institution closed prison.

At the time of the inspection, 514 prisoners were being housed in the prison.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "We welcome the inspectors' recognition of improvements to education provision and the work of our staff to help reduce violence and disruption.

"However, the prison is still operating under immense pressure, which is why we are already taking urgent action to tackle the spread of drugs by investing over £40 million in new prison security nationally and reduce self harm by strengthening support for prisoners who may be at risk."