Inspectors say they discovered dangerously unsafe conditions during an unannounced inspection
A “filthy” Kent prison where six inmates were assaulted or stabbed during their first night in jail this year has been placed into emergency measures by a watchdog.
Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor has served an urgent notification for HMP Swaleside after discovering dangerously unsafe conditions for prisoners and staff in an unannounced visit earlier this month.
Prison inspectors heard from inmates at the Category B jail who were too frightened to go to health appointments or use the gym because of fears of violence.
In a letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy issuing the notice, Mr Taylor described “very high levels of violence” as affecting every aspect of prison life, with a third of prisoners surveyed saying they had been assaulted and three-quarters reporting they felt unsafe.
Drug-taking was “rife”, drones were regularly dropping contraband into the prison, including knives, and inspectors also saw widespread graffiti, fire damage, broken furniture and mouldy showers.
Attempts to restore order were also described as “wholly insufficient and inhumane” as a new regime allowed 44% of the prison’s inmates out of their cells for only 30 minutes on most weekdays.
Mr Taylor also said it was “shameful” such a risky prison had been left without a permanent governor in charge for many months in 2024 and 2025.
“Many hardworking staff were doing an impressive job in extremely difficult circumstances, but during our inspection we were very troubled by a palpable level of tension and a pervasive sense of despair in the jail,” he said.
“The appalling outcomes we found at Swaleside, holding some of the most dangerous men in the country, represent serious failings by leaders in the Prison Service to address the systemic problems at this troubled jail.”
The emergency measure was introduced in 2017 as a way to raise immediate concerns following an inspection, which requires a response and action plan by the Justice Secretary within 28 days.
Other sites issued with an urgent notification include HMP Pentonville, Exeter, Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution, Oakhill Secure Training Centre, Woodhill, Bedford, Wandsworth, Rochester, Manchester and Winchester.
Reacting to the latest notice, Prison Reform Trust deputy director Mark Day said: “It is shocking that a prison tasked with the care and rehabilitation of men serving some of the longest sentences on the estate has been allowed to descend to such an appalling level.
“We know from our own work at the prison that the climate of despair and hopelessness amongst prisoners is palpable.”
Howard League for Penal Reform chief executive Andrea Coomber KC said: “This is the latest in a long line of inspections that reveal the level of disorder that exists in a prison system on the brink of collapse.
“Without effective leadership and reform and proper investment, prisons such as Swaleside will continue to fail their staff, the men in their care and the public.”
Responding to the move, prisons minister Lord Timpson said the new governor is working hard to address the serious concerns. “This is a deeply concerning report and I’m disappointed we have failed to achieve the required standard,” he said.
“Work is under way to rapidly reduce violence, improve safety and drive up standards. We will publish an action plan in the coming weeks to support them in these efforts.
“But the sad fact is we inherited a broken prison system, with too many jails like HMP Swaleside breeding further crime. That is why we’re building 14,000 new prison places and reforming sentencing to end this crisis for good, reduce reoffending and keep the public safe.”
