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UK's largest prison sees violence and drug use rise

Oscar Edwards
BBC News
Getty Images An aerial shot of HMP Berwyn showing a square site with various buildings running alongside the edges and a larger building in the middle. Square patches of grass can be seen between the buildings.Getty Images
The report found drug use and violence had increased at the prison since the previous inspection

The UK's largest prison has been criticised after an inspection found a rise in levels of drug use and increased violence.

A report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said progress at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham was being hampered by an influx of prisoners from overcrowded jails in England.

But the report added a relatively-new prison governor had displayed "capable" leadership qualities and staff recruitment had improved.

A prison service spokesperson said a "comprehensive action plan" was underway at the prison to address issues around drug use and self-harm.

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HMP Berwyn opened in February 2017 and is the largest public sector prison in England and Wales.

A previous report about the jail, conducted in 2022, said a lack of staff was having a big impact on the prison.

The new report said "drugs were more available, and levels of violence and self-harm were much higher" than the last inspection three years ago, with the rates of self-harm among the highest compared to similar jails.

The prison's safety score has now been rated as "not sufficiently good" compared to "reasonably good" previously.

But its score for inmates' preparation for release has increased from "not sufficiently good" to "reasonably good".

Getty Images A cell block can be seen with the letter 'C' hanging by the door. Through windows either side of the door a corridor with a row of more doors can be seen. Getty Images
The mainly category C prison is one of the biggest jails in Europe and houses just under 2,000 inmates

Prisoners who were spoken to said they "appreciated" staff checking up on them, the report said, but they were not always effective in resolving the "underlying issues" leading to self-harm.

HMP Berwyn was originally built to service the courts in north Wales but the report highlighted how "population pressures" had changed that.

The Wrexham prison was holding 1,937 men at the time of the latest unannounced inspection which took place in January and February.

The report said: "On this inspection, around 200 prisoners were remanded or unsentenced prisoners, many of whom were coming from courts in Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, with some prisoners coming from as far as Preston."

Getty Images A general view of a white sign at HMP Berwyn with the name on it, with an illustration of three mountain peaks in blue, green and red. There is a blue sky behind. Getty Images
Many unemployed prisoners got 'as little as two hours unlocked' according to the report

The report was also critical of how prisoners spend their days with "too many" not having enough to occupy their time.

It said 25% of inmates were unemployed and 27% in part-time work or education at the prison.

The report added: "Attendance in education and training was low at 70% despite the teaching being generally of a reasonable standard."

Those who were in full-time work could expect to get much more time of of their cell, the inspection found.

Meanwhile, many unemployed prisoners got "as little as two hours unlocked", according to the report.

It said these factors were "no doubt" a cause of boredom and drug-taking in the prison.

Random tests showed drugs were "being used by 33%" of the prison population.

The report added purposeful activity was "particularly limited" for those on the vulnerable prisoner wings.

Getty Images A prison guard walks through a cell area at HMP BerwynGetty Images
The report also praised prison staff for maintaining 'some outstanding initiatives'

Prisoner living conditions were said to be "good" with the jail's 24 wings all providing a "decent standard of accommodation".

The report said each cell had a shower "which prisoners greatly appreciated".

It also found the prison had undertaken a successful recruitment drive to rectify staffing issues which have been present since 2017.

The report praised prison staff for maintaining "some outstanding initiatives" at the prison.

This included the physical education programme for prisoners involved in violence to improve "communication and interpersonal skills".

Getty Images A football pitch at HMP Berwyn. An Astroturf surrounded by a white metal fence is overlooked by a prison building behind it. Getty Images
The report said prisoners had benefitted from physical education programmes at the prison

Overall the report said HMP Berwyn could improve the daily regime for its prisoners.

It added drug use needed to be addressed and "more creative" way to motivate prisoners should be found.

The report noted levels of violence "had begun to fall" in recent months and said it hoped this would continue.

A prison service spokesperson said: "We have already implemented significant measures to address the issues of drug use and self-harm at HMP Berwyn."

They added a "comprehensive action plan" is currently underway to address the issues.

This includes "enhanced security protocols, increased support for vulnerable prisoners, and improvements to purposeful activities" to improve the environment for rehabilitation.