UK: Report on an announced inspection of HMP Brixton
01 November 2008
Brixton prison in many ways exemplifies all the problems of our overcrowded prison system. It has old, cramped and vermin-infested buildings, no workshops to provide skills training, and two prisoners eating and living in a cell with an unscreened toilet no more than an arm's length away. A visit to the top landings of Brixton's old wings would quickly dispel any notion that our prisons are 'cushy'.
At the time of this inspection those problems were exacerbated by the evident availability of drugs within the prison, undermining effective drug treatment and feeding violence and gang cultures. Over half the prisoners at Brixton told inspectors that they had felt unsafe there, and nearly one in three were feeling unsafe at the time of the inspection. Procedures to identify and deal with violence and gang-related activity, and to support vulnerable prisoners, were under-developed. Measures to prevent the supply of drugs into the prison were inadequate: there were no drug dogs; there had been limited police and security engagement; positive mandatory drug tests were high; and there was insufficient suspicion, random or voluntary testing.
Despite this, there were some signs of hope and improvement. A new and energetic management team had begun to put in place the systems that the prison needed, and had lacked. The positive approach of staff provided a strong foundation to develop their role - in the same way that diversity, race and the support of foreign national prisoners had been actively and positively promoted.
Similarly, the education department had improved considerably since the last inspection, and was providing a high quality service for the 30% of prisoners who could access it. However, for the rest, Brixton offered very little indeed. In the absence of any workshops, there was no vocational skills training, and the work that was available - for about half the population at any one time - was low-skilled and menial. Prisoners' time out of cell was very limited, though commendably regular and consistent. There was no evening association, and an unemployed prisoner could be locked up for 22 hours a day.
Brixton's main advantage is its location: within the community to which most prisoners will return. Inspectors were disappointed to find that relationships with agencies outside the prison, to assist with prisoners' resettlement, were limited. There were excellent links with some statutory and voluntary drug support schemes, but many of the other resettlement pathways were underdeveloped. Prisoners' initial needs were not effectively recorded to support custody planning, and pre-release work took place too late to be really effective.
Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons commented:
This will be a disappointing report for the committed management team and the many hard-working staff at Brixton. There are things that can and must be managed better - in particular, the supply of drugs, which requires effective internal management and support from both police and prison security services. However, it is hard to see how Brixton, given its physical limitations, can be transformed into an effective local prison, offering both decency and rehabilitation to its 800 prisoners. Those responsible for offender management in the London area need to decide what role Brixton can and should play in their strategy - perhaps as a resettlement prison for south London - and then ensure that it is resourced for that role. Without that, Brixton will simply continue to recycle its prisoners and risk demoralising its managers and staff.
Report on an announced inspection of HMP Brixton, 28 April - 2 May 2008, report compiled July 2008, published 21 October 2008