HMP Wandsworth inmates faced cold cells after heating failures
An independent report detailed the ordering of thousands of coats and blankets due to persistent issues with the prison's heating and hot water systems.
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Trust 68: includes named IMB chair and quoted MoJ spokesperson plus specific figures from the IMB report.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
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Inmates at HMP Wandsworth experienced "inhumane conditions" including a lack of heating and hot water, according to an October report by the prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). The failures, which occurred in November, necessitated the ordering of 1,500 coats, 1,000 blankets, and 2,000 instant noodles for prisoners. The IMB stated that these problems would persist until the prison's plumbing and heating infrastructure was entirely replaced.
Persistent Infrastructure Issues
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The IMB's report for 2025/26 detailed ongoing issues within the Victorian-era prison. Campaigners from the Wandsworth Prison Improvement Campaign (WPIC) described the facility as "grim and dysfunctional", highlighting that prisoners were still held in "unsafe, overcrowded, unsanitary and squalid conditions". WPIC noted that progress must be viewed against a backdrop of continuing overcrowding, ageing infrastructure, poor repair management, and high staff sickness and absence rates.
Specific examples of "shocking failures" cited by WPIC included a six-month delay in replacing a dishwasher and a wing remaining closed for refurbishment for 20 months with little apparent progress. The Nightingale healthcare unit was reportedly unable to offer dentistry because a door was too small to accommodate a dentist's chair.
Staffing and Violence Levels
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The report also addressed staffing levels, noting that on average, one third of staff were absent or unavailable daily. This significantly impacted the number of prisoners able to participate in activities and education. The IMB chair, Matthew Andrews, described staff shortages as "dangerously inadequate" despite acknowledging the commitment of senior management and dedicated staff. He added that the prison faced significant management challenges due to a high proportion of foreign nationals and prisoners with mental health issues.
Despite these challenges, the IMB report indicated a reduction in violence. Self-harm incidents fell from 726 in 2024/25 to 530, and prisoner-on-staff assaults decreased from 354 to 222. The use of force by prison staff also saw a reduction, from 1,705 incidents to 1,286.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson acknowledged the report's recognition of progress but stated that more work was needed. They highlighted an independent review led by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, aimed at improving prison safety, public security, and reducing reoffending.
WPIC also raised concerns about the experiences of families visiting the prison, citing difficulties in obtaining information about inmates and poor conditions in the visits hall, including dirty lavatories. The campaign group believes families play a role in reducing reoffending and require basic respect and support.
Questions this report answers
+What caused the need for emergency supplies at HMP Wandsworth?
Failures in the prison's heating and hot water systems during November required the ordering of 1,500 coats, 1,000 blankets, and 2,000 instant noodles for inmates. The Independent Monitoring Board reported these issues would continue until the infrastructure was fully replaced.
+Have violence levels decreased at HMP Wandsworth?
Yes, the Independent Monitoring Board's report for 2025/26 indicated a fall in violence. Self-harm incidents dropped from 726 to 530, and prisoner-on-staff assaults decreased from 354 to 222. The use of force also reduced.
+What are the main concerns raised by campaigners?
Campaigners from the Wandsworth Prison Improvement Campaign describe HMP Wandsworth as "grim and dysfunctional". They highlight concerns over "inhumane conditions", overcrowding, ageing infrastructure, poor management of repairs, and "dangerously inadequate" staff shortages, alongside issues faced by families visiting the prison.
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