On 19 November, members of the WPIC steering committee met with Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) and head of HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), at the Ministry of Justice. CT has been HMCIP for four years and expects to continue for another two years. We had a very open and constructive discussion about conditions in Wandsworth Prison, and how they might be improved.
What shocked Charlie Taylor at Wandsworth
CT made clear that at the inspection of Wandsworth in April 2024 he had been so shocked. He had unlocked numerous people who were clearly in crisis and officers were totally unaware. Security was terrible. The regime was totally unpredictable. Addison and Jones (the health wings) were appalling. To turn it around, it really needed a governor to do a long period.
He stated that realistically, given the age and nature of the site, the best Wandsworth will ever be able to do is 'cope'. CT said he thought Wandsworth could run OK at one person per cell.
Too many prisoners on remand
CT expressed the view that too many prisoners on remand was a problem; he observed that they tend not to get involved in prison life. In the past, Wandsworth would have had some Category C resettlement prisoners who could be useful experienced eyes and ears for officers.
CT acknowledged that the high level of foreign national prisoners was an issue. The proximity to Westminster magistrates court was relevant. He observed that, in general, foreign nationals were good, decent prisoners who helped to keep prisons calm. He noted that there is a Home Office team operating inside Wandsworth.
Governors should be more involved in recruitment
In relation to staffing, CT stated that he had been lobbying for years for more governor involvement in recruitment. When he was a headteacher he expected to be in charge of recruitment and obviously governors should have more involvement. CT commented that it was a shame that the Unlocked Graduate scheme was not continuing. It had been positive.
In relation to transparency, CT expressed the view that it was a 'shocker' that MPs were ever refused access to prisons. He acknowledged the fact that when people, including inspectors and ministers do get access to prisons, they 'smell a lot of fresh paint'. HMIP have the advantage that they can arrive unannounced and can go wherever they wish.
What happens next at Wandsworth
HMIP’s follow up to its April inspection and Urgent Notification, the Independent Review of Progress (IRP) would take place on 10 weeks' notice in a window between 8 months and 12 months from the first inspection. If the prison has not improved then there would be a further full inspection. If there was improvement then the prison would probably be inspected again in about 2 years. CT emphasised that HMIP is not a regulator - it cannot tell prisons what to do. It is not HMIP's job to give regular feedback to the Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) about whether it is doing its job.
Information from families
We talked CT through the information that we get from families, providing real-time feedback on the reality inside the prison. CT was very interested in this source of information and was keen that we keep him informed about it.
CT made clear that he wished to keep in touch. He proposed a further meeting after the IRP, so that he could see what we made of its findings. It was agreed that it had been a useful, worthwhile and constructive first meeting.