HMP Aylesbury inspection reveals improvements still needed despite progress

The inspection took place over 10 days in February this year.

The report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons, released today (May 18th), highlighted that though focused leaders and committed staff have been driving progress since their last visit in 2022, development is still needed. As part of this, 10 key concerns were identified, with four priority concerns: high drug usage, self-harm incidents increasing, a limited curriculum and insufficient prisoner sentence progression plans.

Concerningly, 25% of prisoners had tested positive in random mandatory drug tests over the past year, with two drug‑related deaths since the previous inspection. Levels of self‑harm have increased by 29% since the previous inspection, with an annual self-harm rate per 1,000 prisoners of 740 in the 12 months prior to the inspection. 

The other six key concerns are as follows: 

• Key work not yet consistent or embedded
• The applications system was ineffective. Prisoners often did not receive responses and there was no effective tracking or oversight.
• Insufficient prison escorts to meet the clinical needs of the population. This created shortfalls in access to care and treatment, which created unnecessary clinical risk.
• Leaders had not made sure that all work was sufficiently demanding or purposeful for prisoners. Too many prisoners did not value their work roles.
• Too many prisoners did not attend the education, skills and work provision.
• Teaching staff did not consistently revisit prisoners’ learning on radicalisation and extremism. Most prisoners engaged in education did not understand the associated risks.

Despite needed development, the prison has made improvements since its last inspection when it was adjusting to a new designation and role, having previously held long-term young adults. Now, the prison is a category C training prison holding 370 adult men.

Specifically, inspectors found four examples of 'notable positive practice':

• A use of force staff training package had been developed that supported staff understanding of use of force scrutiny processes.
• The weekly review and response meeting offered effective oversight and support for prisoners reported to be under the influence of illicit drugs.
• The incentivised substance free living unit (ISFL) was a more effective and better‑developed model than we usually see. Strong staff and peer support fostered a sense of community, and the on‑wing presence of substance misuse services, improved facilities and increased time out of cell provided meaningful incentives for prisoners to remain substance free.
• An impressive accessibility visits room offered a private and calm environment for vulnerable visitors.

You can find the report's findings in full by clicking here (external link).