HM Prison Downview

Reports

• HMIP2 Feb 2026

  Prisoner survey, results and analyses, HMP Downview, February, 2026 3 Prisoner survey methodology A representative survey of prisoners is carried out at the start of every inspection, the results of which contribute to the evidence base for the inspection. HMI Prisons researchers developed a self-completion questionnaire in November 2023 to support HMI Prisons’ Expectations. The questionnaire consists of structured questions covering the prisoner ‘journey’ from reception to release together with demographic and background questions which enables comparison of responses from different sub-groups of the prisoner population. There are also three open questions at the end of the questionnaire which allow prisoners to express in their own words what they find most positive and negative about the prison. Qualitative analysis of these written comments is undertaken by HMI Prisons researchers and used by inspectors. Sampling On the day of the survey a random sample is drawn by HMI Prisons researchers from a P-NOMIS prisoner population printout ordered by cell location. Using a power calculation, HMI Prisons researchers calculate the minimum sample size required to ensure that the survey findings are representative of the entire population of the establishment. The formula used in the calculation assumes a 75% response rate (65% in open establishments) and a 95% confidence interval with a 7% margin of error. Distributing and collecting questionnaires HMI Prisons researchers distributed and collected the questionnaires in person. A cover sheet was included with the questionnaire which explained the purpose of the survey and that participation was voluntary. Assurances were given about confidentiality, anonymity and the storage and retention of the data. Prisoners were provided with a sealable envelope for their completed questionnaire and told when researchers would return to collect it. When researchers were unable to obtain verbal consent from prisoners, returned and completed questionnaires were deemed as providing consent. The questionnaire was available in 14 languages. Prisoner survey, results and analyses, HMP Downview, February, 2026 4 Survey responses At the time of the survey on 2 February 2026 the prisoner population at Downview was 304. Using the sampling method described above, questionnaires were distributed to 161 prisoners. We received a total of 143 completed questionnaires, a response rate of 89%. The full inspection report is available on our website at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/ Prisoner survey, results and analyses, HMP Downview, February, 2026 5 Prisoner survey results and analyses Over the following pages we present the full survey results followed by numerous comparative analyses for Downview. For the comparator analyses, where relevant, each question was reformulated using the Chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact test if there are fewer than five expected counts in a cell) into a binary ‘yes/no’ format and affirmative responses compared. Missing responses have been excluded from all analyses and for some questions, responses from a sub-group of the sample are reported (as indicated in the data). Responses from Downview 2026 compared with those from other HMI Prisons surveys These analyses are carried out on summary data from all survey questions. As we have been using a revised version of the questionnaire since November 2023, we do not yet have full comparator data for all questions. • Survey responses from Downview in 2026 compared with survey responses from training prisons inspected since July 2024. • Survey responses from Downview in 2026 compared with survey responses from Downview in 2021. Comparisons between different residential locations within Downview 2026 • Responses of prisoners on the induction unit (A wing) compared with those from the rest of the establishment. • Responses of priso

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• HMIP12 Jul 2021

  Downview is a closed training prison in south London that held 210 women at the time of our inspection, nearly three-quarters of whom were serving sentences of over four years and 40% were assessed as presenting a high risk of harm to others. The site was well looked after and women lived in cells that were generally in good condition, although in somewhat tired-looking accommodation blocks. The prison had successfully come through a challenging COVID-19 outbreak earlier in the year and was beginning to lift some restrictions. Leaders had prioritised opening up education and workshops had begun to operate, with women attending lessons in classrooms or outreach sessions on the wing. Though plans for the further rollout of education were not fully developed, Downview had made considerably more progress than we have seen elsewhere, and enthusiastic staff members were helping to drive this forward. Although inspectors saw many friendly interactions, relations between staff and women were not as good as we have seen in other women’s prisons. My colleagues and I were given many examples of staff members being rude, dismissive or unhelpful. This was particularly worrying in a prison that holds such a vulnerable population and was in marked contrast to the quality of relationships we reported in our inspection of nearby HMP Send. It was also concerning that local and national leaders had not identified improving the quality of relationships in the prison as a priority. The governor had recognised the need for development of middle leaders and that relationships between middle and senior leaders was strained. In response, an externally-run programme had been brought in to help address these issues, but the impact was not yet apparent and further work was required to change what seemed to be some deep-seated cultural issues. The women held at Downview generally behaved well and levels of violence were low, but more could have been done to encourage good behaviour. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the prison should make sure that the incentives scheme rewards those who have earned their enhanced status. At the start of the second week of our inspection, the prison introduced a new regime that was designed to make sure that women had more time to complete domestic tasks, socialise and exercise, particularly those who were in work. Leaders had failed to communicate this change clearly and during the week both staff and women often did not know what they were supposed to be doing or where they were supposed to be, which they said was consistent with a pattern of poor communication in the prison. Leaders needed to make sure that there was adequate consultation and more thorough communication, through a wider range of channels, before changes were made. Inspectors saw some excellent partnerships between professionals in health care, but there were not always enough officers to escort women, which meant that a quarter of GP appointments were missed. Though many women were still locked in their cells for too long, with some only getting out for an hour-and-a-half a day, it was heartening to see workshops open and flourishing after so many months of restrictions. The prison has the opportunity to build on this and begin to provide a fully operational service. All plans to improve Downview will be dependent on senior leaders strengthening their own relationships with middle leaders, and between officers and the women. This must be a priority for the prison and leaders should plan to spend more time on the wings modelling the behaviour they want to see and, where necessary, addressing inappropriate staff conduct. Charlie Taylor HM Chief Inspector of Prisons September 2021 About Downview Task of the prison/establishment A women’s closed training prison. Certified normal accommodation and operational capacity (see Appendix II: Glossary of terms)

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