GANG culture is flourishing at Winchester Prison, which has experienced a marked increase in violence, according to a new damning report.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has described the Category B Men’s Jail as “very much work in progress, and much remains to be done” in a review published.

A key area which the independent organisation, which monitors prisoners’ welfare, is flagging up with the Ministry of Justice is a lack of staff, now that the ratio between officers and inmates has dropped from 1 to 22 to 1 to 30.

“At Winchester, the perception is that real difficulties could result from this stretching of resources if a major incident occurred,” the report concluded.

Inspectors also voiced concerns that the admission of Young Offenders aged 18-20 to the prison a year ago has led to a marked increase in violence.

The report said: “There is an atmosphere of gang culture and increased boredom on some wings.

“This volatile group congregates in groups, creating a potentially unsafe environment. Violence increased to levels not previously experienced for four or five years.”

Daily Echo:

Since the report was collated Winchester Prison has been reclassified as a “complex establishment” and now benefits from additional funding for prisoner care programmes.

The IMB report, which covers the year to May 31, said new governor David Rogers faced considerable challenges but also recorded an improvement in prison culture and relationships between most officers and prisoners.

A custodial manager has been appointed to tackle violent assaults and antisocial behaviour.

Other positive developments include increased CCTV coverage of the wings and using sniffer dogs to prevent drugs being smuggled in.

A number of visitors found to be in possession of drugs have been arrested and prosecuted.

A new kitchen has opened, and the Carpentry Shop was described as “a beacon of excellence” in the prison.

Governor David Rogers said: “I am pleased independent inspectors have recognised the dedication and commitment of staff, highlighting that real progress is being made at the prison – including improvements to the prison culture and the seamless transition to a new healthcare provider.

“Frontline staffing levels are being boosted by the ongoing recruitment campaign and we expect all prison officer vacancies to be filled by the beginning of next year.

“I am confident that we will continue to build on these recent improvements.”

Daily Echo:

Prison governor David Rogers (right) with chaplain Rev Marina Brain

Winchester MP Steve Brine, pictured below, an aide in the Government’s Ministry of Justice team, said; “I’m pleased we seem to be enjoying a period of stability at the prison with Dave Rogers in charge, after too many years of musical chairs in the position of Governor which allowed serious and dangerous drift.

“I think progress is being made on many fronts but the shortage of available work for prisoners, not unsurprising in an area of such high employment, is a major problem and one I am raising with the Minister.

“Increasing violence is an issue across the secure estate right now but it’s exasperated by the inclusion of young adults into an established adult prison like Winchester.”