“HIGH levels of violence and a very significant drug problem” at a Dorset prison “cannot be ignored”, according to a report.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) highlighted 14 key concerns regarding HMP Guys Marsh in a report published today.

For a number of years HMIP had considered Guys Marsh to be a ‘high-risk’ prison and, in 2014, described it as “out of control”. Their latest report notes that “slow progress” is being made but did identify positive steps providing cause for optimism.

The report found that violence in the prison had decreased since the last inspection but that violent incidents were still more prevalent than similar-sized prisons and they weren’t always investigated thoroughly.

Inspectors noted that “of greater concern” was the availability of illicit drugs - with 45% of survey respondents from within the prison saying they were easy to get hold of.

The report said: “Although it was encouraging to see that managers were making efforts to stem the flow, including by strengthening security to reduce the number of ‘throwovers’ at the perimeter, not enough had been done to reduce the supply of illicit drugs."

Another priority concern surrounded support available for prisoners with learning difficulties - with support found to be neither effective or consistent. Those with complex support needs were found not to have an in-depth screening of their needs until after they had started courses.

Inspectors also said not enough was being done to understand the reasons behind self-harm in the prison with ‘serious incidents not routinely investigated’.

An extract from the report said: “Our evidence spoke to a safer prison than at our last visit but continuing high levels of violence and a very significant drug problem, especially when compared with other category C prisons, could not be ignored.

“There was a lot of work with individual prisoners, and cross-departmental working was a real strength, but investigation and data analysis concerning violence were major gaps.

“Use of force had increased since the last inspection and more also needed to be done properly to support those in self-harm crisis”

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: “Overall, we judged the prison to be making slow but steady progress. Good leadership and a supportive staff were causes for optimism. We had confidence that if this sense of initiative in the prison could be maintained (then) measurable improvement to outcomes will eventually be realised.”

“The governor had a strong and commendable focus on getting the prisoners back into work and education after the restrictions of the pandemic, and managers and staff were supportive of this priority.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “This report recognises the continued progress at HMP Guys Marsh, including staff’s efforts to get prisoners back into work and education after the restrictions of the pandemic

“Our officers are working closely with police to tackle the flow of drugs into the prison, which has benefited from the Government’s £125 million investment in tough new security measures.

"There has also been a double-digit reduction in self-harm following the rollout of improved training and prison helplines."