HMP Berwyn report highlights rising violence and drug availability

An annual report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has raised significant concerns regarding safety and substance use at HMP Berwyn in North Wales. Covering the period from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, the report documented 879 violent incidents, representing a 4 per cent increase from the previous reporting period. These incidents included 585 assaults on prisoners and 174 assaults on staff, with several categorized as serious.

The report also highlights that psychoactive substances remain readily available throughout the prison despite strenuous efforts by staff to control their entry and manufacture. The availability of these substances is linked to increased emergency healthcare calls, negative impacts on prisoner mental health, and the accumulation of debt, which in turn fuels further violence.

While the IMB noted that violence levels had decreased toward the end of the reporting period compared to the summer of 2025, the overall figures remain high. The Ministry of Justice stated that the government has invested over £40 million in physical security across the prison estate to address such issues.