December 7th 2024.
In a recent statement, Prisons Minister Lord Timpson acknowledged the dire state of Winchester prison. One incident that highlights the chaos and mismanagement within the facility involves an inmate who was not given back his belongings upon release. Instead of returning his clothes, the prison allegedly handed him a curtain, a drawer, and a cell telephone.
Former magistrate Georgia Swift, who has been advocating for better conditions at the Hampshire jail, shared her own experience when she went to collect her partner's things from HMP Winchester. They were given a bag with his name on it, but to their dismay, it was empty. Ms. Swift's partner, a recovering heroin addict, was remanded for an assault during a psychotic episode, and out of respect for his privacy, we will not disclose his name.
According to Ms. Swift, within ten minutes of being in prison, her partner was already offered drugs. She did her best to support him by visiting frequently and sending in clothes and books. He even had a commitment ring as a symbol of their bond, which has yet to be returned to him. Ms. Swift had sent a detailed invoice to the prison for the items she had provided, but instead of his clothes, they received a drawer and a cell telephone.
Ms. Swift's partner did not have a chance to pack his own clothes when he was released, as it was an unexpected release after attending a court hearing. Ms. Swift shared that her partner was expecting to go back to prison, but the judge deferred sentencing. Despite sending invoices and hiring a solicitor to follow up on the matter, they have not received any of their possessions or compensation for their value. Ms. Swift also mentioned that she has not received a response from the prison lately.
In order to support her partner's recovery, Ms. Swift had sent in a parcel of clothes with the specified number of each item, including socks, pants, and t-shirts. She also sent books to keep him on track. However, none of these items have been returned to her partner. Ms. Swift is grateful that her partner is doing well in recovery, but she fears that if he had been without his belongings, it could have been a trigger for reoffending and he would have been back in prison already.
It has been five months since the incident, and Ms. Swift and her partner are still trying to retrieve their belongings. Unfortunately, their efforts have been ignored by the prison staff, and they have not received any assistance. Ms. Swift, who previously sent prisoners to HMP Winchester in her role as a magistrate, was appalled by the extent of the issues she witnessed there. She even saw prison staff drinking in a nearby pub during their lunch breaks, and some prisoners claimed that they could smell alcohol on them when they returned.
In October, Winchester Prison received an Urgent Notification due to the high levels of violence, poor living conditions, and inadequate support for prisoners. Inspectors also found issues with drugs and self-harm. To address these concerns, the Prison Service has published an action plan to improve safety and conditions within the facility. This includes more frequent cleaning schedules and urgent repairs to cells damaged by mould and vandalism.
Prisoners are expected to take their property with them when they are released. However, in cases where this is not possible, the prison keeps the items for 12 months. Before their release, prisoners are asked to sign a disclaimer stating that they understand their belongings will be disposed of if they fail to collect them within the 12-month period.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice stated that they are unable to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
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