Winchester Prison: Inmates dig through cell walls with plastic cutlery

The IMB added that Winchester’s Care and Separation unit’s were routinely full, with prisoners segregated in cellular confinement on the wings instead.

The report also found there were problems with the release of prisoners from Winchester.

It noted 40 – 50% of men were being release from the prison without accommodation, leaving them homeless.

The Winchester findings were part of the IMB’s report into conditions in prisons across England and Wales.

It concluded that “population pressures and overcrowding caused tremendous strain on every area of prison life, which was compounded by widespread staff shortages”.