A PRISON watchdog has warned that too many Winchester inmates are being released homeless.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has released its annual report on Winchester Prison, located in Romsey Road, today, Thursday, September 26.

The watchdog has expressed concern over the effects of early release of prisoners without adequate preparation and persistent overcrowding in the prison.

READ MORE: Winchester Prison close to full capacity

Key findings from the 2023-24 annual report note that additional support is needed for rehabilitation and resettlement services as they are put under pressure from early release schemes to aid prison capacity and that many men are being released without adequate preparation.

Data shows that between January to May 2024, 124 men have been released under the end-of-custody supervised license (ECSL) scheme. Of those, 38 per cent were released as homeless because no accommodation could be arranged and 21 per cent breached their license and were recalled.

The report also notes a rise in the level of prison violence, with assaults on staff increasing by 85 per cent, with 232 incidents in the past year. Meanwhile, prisoner-on-prisoner assaults also increased by 35 per cent, and there was an increase of 43 per cent of instances when force was used to restrain or control prisoners.

Incidents of self-harm have also increased by 47 per cent in the past year, with the report saying that there was a rise in both the number of individuals self-harming and the severity of incidents recorded.

The IMB has also raised concerns about the condition of the prison, noting that it has leaking roofs and ceilings, inconsistent heating and water systems, and damaged brickwork. Some workshops and cells have been non-functional for months as a result of this.

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However, the board has also noted that the number of complaints by prisoners about lost property has fallen and that charitable organisations such as BearFace Theatre, Saints Foundation and the Samaritans, as well as the chaplaincy, are continuing to deliver work to improve the outcome for prisoners.

HMP Winchester IMB chair, Sherrin Moss, said: “The senior leadership team at HMP Winchester deserves praise and recognition for its drive towards continuous improvement in the face of an increasingly challenging set of circumstances.

“While levels of violence are of a real concern for the Board, we note a recent reduction in figures and trust this trend can continue. The introduction of further early release schemes emphasises the urgent need for additional rehabilitation and resettlement support”.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.