Improvements for Stoke Heath prison following criticism
Action has been taken to improve conditions inside a Shropshire prison, which was criticised in a report, the Government insisted today.
The Ministry of Justice said Her Majesty's Prison Stoke Heath is being run well and that the welfare of both inmates and staff is assured.
The board also highlighted health issues about health care with problems for the waiting time for treatment for mental health patients "the same, if not worse" than last year and a "matter of utmost urgency".
It said the prison, near Market Drayton, needed action, adding: "We continue to be concerned about the amount of time that prisoners with mental health problems are held awaiting hospital treatment.
"This frequently means that prisoners are on constant watch in the usually mothballed lower health care unit, which really is not a conducive atmosphere for prisoners with mental health problems.
"We are concerned about the difficulties the Health Care Department has over the recruitment of staff, particularly qualified nurses."
Today the Ministry of Justice said action had been taken following the publication of the report.
Spokesman Hugo Biggs said: "'Staffing at the prison is at an appropriate level and action has been taken to provide prisoners with more work opportunities.
"This will help them find a job on release, which we know reduces the chances of them reoffending.
"Assaults on staff are rare – and fell by almost 60 per cent between 2009 and 2013. We do not tolerate violence in any form and take swift and robust action against perpetrators, including referring to the police for prosecution."
