Drug use and violence at a Durham jail is thriving and attempts to solve the problem have been “insufficient”, prison inspectors have said.
It comes as officers working at HMP Durham have slammed the situation as “unacceptable”.
A spot check last month found “insufficient or worse progress” on five of six areas of concern, and said drug use and violence had got worse.
It said changes in management and many leaders in temporary posts were hampering progress.
A report from His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said the prisoner-on-prisoner assaults were up 60% on last May and inmates said they felt unsafe, although assaults on staff remain infrequent.
Cells designed for one man were being used to hold two and the prison was overcrowded, although they had been cleaned up with graffiti removed and new curtains.
In some rooms, convicts share cupboards and chairs because there is so little space.
More than a third of prisoners (36%) stayed locked up in cells all day with most only out for an hour and a half.
Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the Prison Officers Association (POA) said: “The situation at HMP Durham is unacceptable.
“Our members are trying to deal with an overcrowded prison where tensions are high and out of cell time limited; this stokes rising levels of frustration and violence.
“Time and again the POA has made representations to the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS about these issues, it is about time they listened to the Prison Officers who are under such huge pressure every day of their working lives.”
POA General Secretary Steve Gillan added: “Like so many of the UK’s prisons HMP Durham is overcrowded and understaffed and this is having a very significant impact on the health, safety and well being of both prisoners and the staff that look after them.”
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The report did find progress on concerns too many prisoners were being released homeless and said prison chiefs were improving living conditions, completing housing referrals and escalating mental health concerns.
An Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This Government inherited prisons in crisis – overcrowded, with drugs and violence rife – and we fully acknowledge the challenges at HMP Durham.
“We are investing £500 million in vital building maintenance across the prison and probation service. HMP Durham is gripping the situation and taking significant steps to improve safety, health screenings, and purposeful activity for prisoners.”
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