2024 IMB ANNUAL REPORT REVEALS SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS ACROSS PRISON ESTATE

The Independent Monitoring Board has now published its Annual Report, noting the ‘appalling’ physical condition of prisons in England and Wales, increased violence and drug use, as well as insufficient resettlement support.

Key findings are as follows:

• overcrowding continues to adversely affect living conditions and prisoners’ opportunities for progression

• rising levels of self-harm levels are of serious concern and support for those self-harming is not always adequate

• drug use is ‘endemic’ across the prison estate, and the subsequent health concerns, debt and violence arising threaten the stability of many prisons

• prisoners from ethnic minority backgrounds and religions are treated unfairly and the discrimination reporting process is widely mistrusted – often with good reason

• prisoners with complex needs – such as severe mental illness or dementia – often do not receive appropriate care and support

• probation and resettlement support continue to be limited, sometimes contributing to the ‘revolving door effect’ of prisoners being recalled shortly after release

For further details, click here.