Prisoners locked in cells to “improve wellbeing” of staff
A prison which locks down for two afternoons per week, allowing staff to “engage in activities that improve wellbeing”, will continue the practice despite criticism from inspectors.
When HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) visited HMP Wayland earlier this year, one of its “key concerns” was that “Prisoners were locked in their cells every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, which meant that they did not experience a full working week.”
In most prisons in England and Wales, Tuesday afternoons are part of the normal working week, with prisoners out of their cells taking part in work or education. Friday afternoons typically see a weekend regime with no work or education, although some jails offer activities for prisoners.
In an Action Plan published on 3 June to address the inspectors’ criticisms of Wayland, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) set out measures to tackle drug use, crumbling buildings and poor healthcare – yet insisted that the Tuesday and Friday lockdowns would continue.
According to HMIP’s report, published in May, the Friday lockdowns allow for the distribution of canteen orders, whereas the Tuesday lockdowns are “because of staff training”.
However, in its Action Plan, HMPPS conceded that the Tuesday lockdowns are not just for training, but also for other activities intended to boost the “wellbeing” of staff. The Action Plan stated: “HMP Wayland has completed this delivery of training shutdowns as part of its regime for a number of years. This has enabled staff to access much needed training and has provided an opportunity for staff to engage in activities that improve wellbeing.
“Improved wellbeing of staff helps to reduce the level of sickness absence which in turn ensures the delivery of a consistent regime for prisoners. There are no current plans to introduce changes to this element of the regime.”
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