Watchdog inspectors flag prison education concerns

"Significant problems" with education, skills and work provision at a prison for sex offenders have been found by inspectors.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons visited HMP Bure, on the former RAF Coltishall site near North Walsham, in June.

The category C jail, which holds 636 men convicted of sexual offences, has five concerns outstanding from its last inspection in 2023, according to the new report.

Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: "There is much to like... and if sickness-driven staffing shortages can be reduced, and the prison service can create and fund more high-quality activity spaces, then the prison can begin to fulfil more effectively its role as a training prison."

In his summary of findings, Taylor said: "Bure remained a safe and decent prison".

The watchdog found the prison had addressed half of its concerns from 2023, but there remained five issues over safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release.

It said it was most concerned about a lack of sufficient activity spaces for inmates in full-time education or work, leaders not offering a suitably ambitious curriculum and too few links with employers offering work opportunities for released prisoners.

The jail was praised for its work in reducing levels of violence, drug taking and use of force against prisoners.

The inspection found violence had reduced by 22% since it was last inspected, with a total of 59 incidents recorded in the last 12 months.

It found there were positive relationships between staff and prisoners, while inmates spoke of being well supported and encouraged in purposeful activity.

The inspection also found these relationships, the amount of time being spent out of cells and a community ethos contributed to help prevent prisoners falling into crisis.

While cells were described in the report as being suitably equipped and in good condition, 13% of prisoners lived in overcrowded conditions with two people having to share cells designed for one.

However, the environment posed challenges for prisoners with disabilities including a lack of sufficient adapted residential facilities and intermittent lift failures, inspectors found.

Education watchdog Ofsted visited the jail as part of the review.

Taylor said: "At our last inspection in 2023, although time out of cell was much better than elsewhere, standards and the availability of education, training and work were poor.

"At this inspection, despite some serious cuts to provision, the prison managed to make some improvements leading to Ofsted's judgement 'requires improvement'.

"The offer, however, was still not good enough for a category C training prison."

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