Staff and inmates feel "unsafe" at Swinfen Hall Young Offenders Institution due to constantly being understaffed and under-resourced, report reveals

The Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Swinfen Hall revealed a litany of problems including weapons being readily available for violent inmates and vulnerable prisoners living in fear of being attacked. 

Inspectors said: "Violent incidents recorded in the weekly stability report were consistent in nature throughout the year, although the use of weapons became more serious with stabbings and assaults via kicks and stamps to the head later in the year."

The report is evaluating the institution from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025, and has just been published sparking fear and condemnation by families of vulnerable inmates. Constant staff shortages impacts a myriad of issues including education, food, safety, mental health provision, drug smuggling and violent attacks on staff and inmates. 

Issues not addressed since last year, including the availability and use of weapons. They said last year: "The use of weapons has increased. The Board is concerned that searches of men as they leave residential areas and workplaces are failing to detect weapons." 

Progress was labelled as 'none' and "concern increased and includes concern over quality searches as young adults move to and from wing and workshops."

Other YOI and prisons have dedicated wings for those prisoners at risk of attack due to their crimes, many of a sexual nature, and 33 per cent of inmates are serving sentences for sexual crimes. 

However, at Swinfen Hall all prisoners are mixed which has sparked a mental health crisis and increased self harming. Inmates relatives their loves ones are terrified of being attacked remaining in their cells forgoing food and exercise.

The inspectors said: "The self-isolator engagement in wing regimes remains concerning, in terms of positive outcomes." 

The report highlighted how  vulnerable new arrivals at the prison are immediately faced with being mixed with general population which includes lifers (the latest figures shows there are 50 young adults between 22 and 27 who are serving life.

The inspectors said: "Transitioning young offenders, who have been convicted of serious sexual offences, from the YOI estate to Swinfen Hall are very vulnerable. Many were previously on designated wings for vulnerable young adults. Some arrive at Swinfen now knowing they will be integrated with young adults with non-sexual offending history."

In March, two inmates were stabbed within one week and there were 169 self-harm recorded incidents between January and April 2025, 17 were so serious as to require a hospital visit. 

A continuing theme throughout the report was the negative consequences of staff shortages, including education, activities, poor food, phone calls and 'prisoners being assaulted when left unsupervised'. 

Staff morale and confidence is also a problem, inspectors noted: "Many wing-based staff lack confidence, or are too scared, to direct and challenge young adults over poor behaviour, and to build meaningful relationships."

As of April 30 there were 616 prisoners at Swinfen Hall, 131 of which are lifers, compared to 38 in April 2020.