High-risk jail holding Charles Bronson deemed 'unsafe' in damming inspection

01 September 2023 , 14:29

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HMP Woodhill is expected to be put under emergency measures (Image: PA)

A high-risk jail that is holding Charles Bronson is set for emergency measures after it was deemed as "fundamentally unsafe" by a watchdog.

HMP Woodhill has been found to have the “highest rate of serious assaults in England and Wales” as well as "chronic" staff shortages.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor addressed Justice Secretary Alex Chalk in an urgent notification for improvement following the inspection at the Milton Keynes prison.

He said the findings were "concerning" after they also found “bullying and intimidation by prisoners to be commonplace." Morale between staff was also reported to be low with a number of officers leaving their positions.

HMP Woodhill has suffered from 'chronic' staff shortages (PA)

Charles Bronson has caused problems at the prison (REX/Shutterstock)

The inspection also highlighted that staff were seen to vote "with their feet" with “no indication that the situation would improve", reports Evening Standard. The prison, which first opened its doors in July 1992, previously held Soham killer Ian following his conviction for the double murder of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. He tried to kill himself with anti-depressant pills at the prison in 2003.

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The category A prison has held suspected terrorists and high security criminals. Convicted robber Charles Bronson caused trouble at Woodhill and in one episode, he took hostages whilst requesting a helicopter and an inflatable doll.

Mr Taylor said: "Woodhill is a complex, high-risk prison, holding prisoners convicted of serious offences. It simply cannot operate effectively with such chronic staff shortages.

“Urgent support is needed from HMPPS (His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) to help Woodhill and other establishments to develop credible, long-term plans that improve staff recruitment, and, crucially, staff retention.

“It should be of considerable concern to us all that only a third of the prisoners at Woodhill said that their experience would make them less likely to re-offend in the future, a far lower proportion than at similar prisons. As I have repeatedly warned, simply warehousing prisoners and failing to get them into work and/or education does little to protect the public when these men are ultimately released.”

Monica Charsley