05.11.2019, 20:56

Report Criticises Understaffing at HMP Bronzefield

Public Sector, EMEA, Prisons & Detention Centres

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Bronzefield has criticised a severe shortage of nurses and mental health facilities operating at or near capacity at the all-female prison in Ashford, Middlesex.

 

The report which was created by an independent group of voluntary inspectors under the United Kingdom's National Monitoring Framework, cited severe understaffing as a concern at the prison which made national headlines following the death of a baby born to an inmate in September.

 

Despite finding the quality of medical care at the facility to be "high", IMB inspectors called for action to address the number of cancelled clinics at the prisoni.

 

The inspectors also described delays in transferring prisoners with often complex mental health issues to a dedicated mental health support unit as "inhumane". 

 

Sodexo, which operates the prison, has undertaken to develop a "robust action plan" in response to the findings.