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Force used twice as often at Oakwood Prison, report finds

The use of force at Oakwood Prison is double that of similar prisons, it has been revealed.

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High levels of bullying - often related to easy-to-get 'legal highs' such as Black Mamba - and a high number of self-harm incidents are also prevalent at the prison in Featherstone, an inspection has found.

However, prisons chief inspector Nick Hardwick insisted that Oakwood had 'turned the corner' and pointed to a number of positives including a reduction in violence.

In the report, inspectors said that despite 'a comprehensive and robust supply reduction strategy' inmates told them it was easy to get drugs at the site.

The number of prisoners testing positive during mandatory drug tests was low, but this was not a true detection of drug use as Black Mamba was undetectable, the report continued.

Concerns were also raised about the high level of force used to restrain prisoners, while some complaints relating to excessive use of force had not been investigated.

The report said: "The level of use of force was high and was almost double that at similar prisons. Governance of use of force had improved but was still inadequate. There was no routine review of use of force paperwork or video evidence, too little data analysis and little evidence of ongoing improvement activity. There was insufficient evidence that de-escalation had been used sufficiently or that the use of force had always been necessary.

"Not all complaints about excessive use of force had been investigated. We were concerned by some incidents we reviewed."

HMP Oakwood

According to the report, high levels of bullying at the prison were often related to drug debts. The number of self-harm incidents and the number of prisoners receiving support for being at risk of suicide or self-harm was high, while the quality of care was not always adequate.

Use of segregation was said to be 'relatively high' at Oakwood, while inspectors also found that too many prisoners were transferred out of the prison without their issues having been addressed.

The report relates to an inspection that took place in December last year at the 1,557-inmate prison, that followed an initial visit in June 2013.

At that time inspectors found many staff were inexperienced and lacked confidence and there were dangerously high levels of frustration among prisoners.

But the new report cites a number of key improvements, including an overall reduction in violence, better support for prisoners with substance abuse issues and an improved relationship between staff and prisoners.

Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of prisons, said: "HMP Oakwood has turned the corner. There is more to do but the determined way the director and staff have made improvements following significant criticism should be acknowledged.

"However, the difficulties Oakwood and other new prisons experienced immediately after opening resulted in unacceptable risks and very poor outcomes for the prisoners held at that time.

"There are plans to open a number of large establishments in the coming years. I recommend that ministers undertake and publish a review of the difficulties Oakwood and other new prisons experienced after they opened, and ensure that lessons learned are factored into plans for the opening of other new establishments."

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