High drug use and self-harm reported at HMP Styal

A recent report has revealed troubling conditions at HMP Styal, a women’s prison in Cheshire. Inspectors found that one woman had harmed herself 400 times in just one year. The prison has been identified as the worst in the country for drug use, with 41% of inmates testing positive for drugs. Self-harm incidents at Styal have nearly doubled over the past three years, reaching over 5,200 cases. The report highlights a lack of staffing, which has made it difficult for women to get the support they need. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, noted many women have significant mental health needs, and safety issues are growing. Most inmates live in houses that urgently require upgrades to meet safety and decency standards. Improvements are also needed in education and planning for release. While the report praised efforts to help women maintain family connections, it criticized the high rate of homelessness among those released from Styal. NACRO, a prisons charity, expressed concern over the findings. The group warned that failing to provide stable housing for women after their release endangers them during a vulnerable time. The Ministry of Justice has stated that staffing levels have been raised and improvements are being made to ensure better support for women at Styal.