Extra specialist staff, strengthened training and upgraded security measures will be deployed at HMP Swaleside as part of urgent Government action to turn the prison around following a recent Urgent Notification.
Inspectors issued the notification in December after raising serious concerns about high levels of violence and self‑harm, widespread drug availability, and poor living conditions. In direct response, the Prison Service has published a comprehensive action plan aimed at rapidly improving safety, order and prisoner welfare.
Key measures include:
- New windows and security netting to stop drones delivering contraband
- Deployment of specialist search teams and additional dog handlers to crack down on drugs and weapons
- Enhanced frontline officer training focused on safety, stability and incident response
- A targeted strategy to improve cleanliness inside and outside the prison
- Accelerated maintenance and refurbishment works over the coming months
Prisoners who break rules will also face stronger disciplinary action, with an increase in hearings designed to restore order and reduce violence.
Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister, Lord Timpson, commented:
“The Chief Inspector’s findings at HMP Swaleside were deeply concerning and clearly not acceptable. This reflects the scale of the crisis we inherited across our prison system.
“I visited the prison last week and saw firsthand the efforts of hardworking staff to deliver the necessary improvements, and this action plan will support them in this vital work.”
The move forms part of wider Government efforts to improve safety across the prison estate, including issuing protective body armour to frontline officers and investing £40 million to strengthen security and disrupt contraband supply chains—key drivers of violence behind bars.
The Government says the interventions at HMP Swaleside signal a clear commitment to raising standards quickly and ensuring staff and prisoners can live and work in a safer, more controlled environment.
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