HMP Lewes: Prison has got worse according to new report

Inmates at Lewes Prison are left in cells for up to 23 hours, while levels of violence continue to be high, self-harm has risen and some areas of the prison are “unacceptably dirty”.

One prisoner who was at risk of suicide was left in a cell with a broken window which had shards of glass, presenting “an obvious risk of serious harm”.

Living accommodation at the 624-prisoner jail remained poor with graffiti on walls and many toilets in an “unacceptable state” during the inspection in January.

Broken glass in one of the cells in HMP Lewes (Image: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)

Inspectors noted a deterioration in progress at HMP Lewes since the full inspection in May last year.

Charlie Taylor, chief inspector of prisons said: “Eight months on from the full inspection, our latest visit found a worrying lack of overall progress at Lewes.

"Time out of cell was among the worst we have seen outside pandemic restrictions, and we were left concerned for prisoners’ wellbeing.

“It was notable that the number of calls to the Samaritans was escalating. Without significant further action to stabilise officer numbers, this situation was unlikely to improve.”

Graffiti on the walls of one of the cells in HMP Lewes (Image: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)

At the full inspection in May, inspectors were concerned about squalid conditions, rates of violence, staffing levels, care for vulnerable prisoners, healthcare and the time prisoners were spending locked in their cells.

Rates of self-harm had risen. Calls to the Samaritans had also increased, although prison leaders were unaware of this until inspectors requested the data.

The prison had made efforts to improve cleanliness, but living accommodation remained poor and many toilets were in an unacceptable state. Given how long prisoners were spending locked in their cells, this was particularly concerning.

One of the toilets in a cell in HMP Lewes (Image: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)

The ability to retain prison officers has “become a critical problem”.

But Mr Taylor added: “Health care was more encouraging. Many of the failures we identified at the inspection had been addressed, and, despite the departure of some managers, staffing had improved.

“We had confidence in the way the service was being led. There was more to do but good progress had been made.”

The prison has previously been criticised for conditions that were "not humane".