Bedford Prison - where it's 'easier to get illegal drugs than sheets'

Standards at HMP Bedford have fallen to "unacceptable levels", leaving inmates more likely to get hold of illegal drugs than bed sheets, according to a report.

In its report, the prisons watchdog said that the availability of drugs, including what were previously known as legal highs, was having a "serious impact" on safety.

The number of inmates saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison also increased from 4% in the previous inspection - February 2014 - to 14% in the most recent May assessment.

The number of inmates who said it was easy or very easy to get drugs from inside prison almost doubled between the two reports.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke wrote: "The stark reality is that prisoners told us it was easier to get illegal drugs in the prison than it was to get clothes or sheets."

The inspection found that self-harm incidents had increased "dramatically", many inmates lived in cramped conditions, furniture was damaged, showers were dirty and unscreened and there was a shortage of clothing.

There were 72 recommendations made in the 2014 report, but when this year's inspection was made, only 12 had been achieved and four had been partially achieved.

Mr Clarke said: "It is hard to understand how such an abject failure to address our previous clear recommendations has been allowed to happen.

"As a result, standards in the prison have declined to unacceptable levels.

"I am not suggesting that staff at HMP Bedford are not working hard - they clearly were, and some important things had been put in place to improve things in the future."

Frances Cook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the prison was "unsafe, overcrowded and understaffed", adding that it was "a good example of everything that is wrong with the prison system".

A Prison Service spokeswoman said prison safety was "fundamental" to the justice system and a "vital part" of plans for reform.

She added: "There are a number of factors, including the availability of psychoactive substances, that must be tackled. From today we are rolling out mandatory nationwide testing of synthetic drugs, which will help to end the flow of these
dangerous drugs into our prisons.

"The Secretary of State is determined to make sure our prisons are safe and places of reform and will announce further measures this autumn."

HMP Bedford is taking action to address the level of substance misuse, she said.