A scathing inspection of HMP Wandsworth in southwest London has revealed “chaos” and “appalling conditions”, stemming from “poor leadership at every level”.
It follows an unannounced spot check in May by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), which issued an immediate demand for urgent improvement.
The government has now confirmed £100m funding package over five years, and additional staff, to deal with what it calls “one of the most troubled prisons in the country”.
Among the biggest concerns from May’s inspection were high levels of violence, increasing rates of self-inflicted deaths and self-harm, widespread access to drugs, cells and prison facilities in poor condition, and inexperienced staff.
The watchdog also found that despite the “high-profile” alleged escape of Daniel Khalife, 22, in September, security at the Category B jail remained a “serious concern”.
Since the escape, almost £900,000 had been invested in additional safety and security but despite this “leaders had not got the basics of security right”.
Inspectors also noted that an action plan created after the last escape in 2019 had not been completed.
Most cells had damaged furniture, broken windows and leaking fixtures. Pics: HMI Prisons
On the induction wing, cells were described as dirty, with damaged windows, flooring and furniture.
Inspectors found suspected mouse droppings in the food serving area.
The report by Charlie Taylor, HM chief inspector of prisons, found Wandsworth was severely overcrowded with 80% of men sharing cells designed to hold one person.
He noted that Wandsworth has come to be “symbolic of the problems that characterise what is worst about the English prison system”.
“The level of chaos we found at Wandsworth was deeply shocking,” adding: “There was a degree of despondency amongst prisoners at Wandsworth that I have not come across in my time as chief inspector.”
The population rose from 1,364 in 2021 to over 1,500 inmates in 2024 and it remains one of the most crowded prisons in the country.
Mr Taylor praised the “many well-meaning and hard-working leaders and staff”, but “they were often fighting against a tide of cross-cutting, intractable problems that require comprehensive, long-term solutions”.
The inspection also revealed some shocking details about conditions including some prisoners being without a shower for five days because there was no hot water, suspected mouse droppings in a food serving area, and poor living conditions with cells described as cramped and ill-equipped, with damaged flooring and furniture.
An assessment of the main outcomes for prisoners – safety, respect and purposeful activity – were all ranked poor, while preparation for release was rated as not good enough.
Seven self-inflicted deaths were recorded in the previous 12 months, and the rate of self-harm was judged high and rising.
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Overall rates of violence, including serious assaults, had increased since the last inspection, and were higher than most similar prisons – 69% of inmates felt unsafe at Wandsworth.
Meanwhile, 51% of prisoners admitted it was easy to get illicit drugs and inspectors noted the smell of cannabis was everywhere.
On G wing around 140 prisoners share just six cubicles.
Many of the prison windows had broken panes.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “This is the reality of a prison system in crisis”, adding “we are taking immediate action at HMP Wandsworth to do what is necessary to protect the public”.
A package of measures worth £100m will fund improvements like refurbishing and repairing facilities, as well as deploying specialist security and drug staff, the introduction of a new leadership team, and extra training.
Andrea Coomber, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the inspection report “lifts the lid on a shocking failure of leadership and culture”.
She added: “It underlines the need for a radical overhaul and work towards a more humane and effective response to crime.”
Since the inspection in May, the prison has also been the focus of a police investigation into a prison officer, filmed having sex with an inmate.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, has pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.
Meanwhile, Daniel Khalife, 22, is due to go on trial at the Old Bailey in October. He has pleaded not guilty to escaping from lawful custody.
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