Inspectors condemn Bedford prison as filthy and dangerous

The Chief Inspector of Prisons condemned HMP Bedford in a highly critical report last week, saying conditions there were “a damning indictment of the state of prisons”.

After inspectors visited in October and November last year, Charlie Taylor issued an Urgent Notification requiring the Government to draw up plans to improve the jail.

Bedford is a Victorian prison holding around 400 men and has a troubled past, including riots in 2016. Last week’s report describes filthy floors and serveries, many cells with broken windows and furniture, inappropriate graffiti, inhabited cells with mould (with one smelling overpowering and damp to the touch), and evidence of a cockroach and rat infestation.

There was particular criticism of the underground Segregation unit, where sandbags are used to manage raw sewage that sometimes floods in during heavy rainfall. Inspectors said that whilst staff in the unit did their best, the dark, damp, and dilapidated cells hold mentally unwell men in “completely unsuitable” conditions. (Pictured above is a cell in the Seg unit.)

Inspectors found that prisoners at Bedford spend far too long locked in their cells with little to do, with virtually no key work being delivered. Unemployed prisoners on some wings are unlocked less than two hours a day. The provision of education is poor, particularly in English and maths where there are not enough places available and waiting times to join courses are too long. Education attendance is just 52 per cent.

The report said that leaders fail to consider local skill needs, and do not offer opportunities for accredited vocational qualifications, progress or appropriate career pathways, or well-equipped training areas. Staff shortfalls impact prisoners’ ability to maintain family contact.

Limited time out of cell and a disastrous applications and complaints system, which made it difficult for prisoners to get questions answered and problems solved, greatly contribute to the high levels of violence at Bedford, inspectors said. Assaults on staff are particularly bad, with one of the highest rates in the country. The amount of force used by staff was also high.

Inspectors drew attention to a rise in self-harm and the level of mental health support for the most vulnerable prisoners, which they said was inadequate. They said that 30 per cent of prisoners departing Bedford were released homeless, making it almost impossible to break the cycle of mental health difficulties, drug taking and crime, and increasing the likelihood of reoffending.

The report said that Ali Barker, who has been Governor of the prison since January 2023, had a “reasonable understanding of the many challenges facing the jail” but was “not visible enough” around the wings.

Responding to the findings, Andrea Coomber, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “The photographs in this report have to be seen to be believed – mouldy cells, a damaged door, sandbags in the segregation unit, and even a table etched on the wall to count the number of times cockroaches have crawled into view.

“These images are an utterly appalling indictment of the prison system today, and they should compel politicians on all sides to work constructively to ensure that no one is held in such terrible conditions ever again. Sensible steps to reduce the number of people behind bars would ease pressure on jails such as Bedford, save lives, protect staff, and reduce crime.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “The findings of this inspection are unacceptable, which is why we’re taking urgent action to address the concerns raised.” They said extra prison officers would be deployed to reduce violence, while refurbishment would improve living conditions and access to education would be improved.