Watchdog 'astounded' by prison education cuts

A prison watchdog said it had been "astounded" by a 40% cut to a jail's education budget - saying it would reduce inmates' chances of rehabilitation and finding jobs.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) shared its dismay in its annual report on HMP Norwich and said the decision meant all vocational courses had been dropped with six staff made redundant.

The IMB also remained concerned that assaults on prison staff were not treated as seriously as those on other emergency workers.

A Prison Service spokesperson said the system was coming "back from the brink of collapse" and it was committed to helping prisoners gain skills and training.

Parts of the prison date back to the 1880s and the board said it housed about 790 men across its categories B, C and D sites during the period of its inspection.

HMP Norwich includes both a training facility and open prison.

The IMB report, published on Wednesday, said: "The board was astounded by a 40% cut in the prison's education budget which led to the termination of all vocational courses in both the category B reception prison and the category C training prison".

The board said it meant courses, such as painting and decorating, had been dropped despite there being "a lot of well-paid work available" in the vicinity.

However, the report said it was pleased to see more in-house courses being run by prison staff following the changes.

Last year, the IMB stated action was not always taken against inmates following reports of assaults on prison officers.

It had said the prisons minister had said efforts were being made to support more effective action from the police and CPS, but the board said it was yet to observe this in its latest report, covering 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026.

It referred to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons visit in January, which reported: "In 2025, over 200 of the most serious breaches of prison rules, such as assaults and drug possession, had been referred to the police for prosecution.

"However, hardly any prisoners had been charged and more than 100 referrals awaited a decision."

The IMB also raised concerns over violence levels; a rise in illegal drug use; dilapidated buildings and facilities, and the prison not having a dentist for seven months.

However, the board singled out several matters for praise including "good" and caring relationships between staff and prisoners; the impact of a separate landing for prisoners involved in violent incidents, and a new drugs strategy.

Steven Searby, head of the Prison Officers' Association at HMP Norwich, said: "This annual report, as ever, criticises many issues that are out of the control of HMP Norwich and that is government funding and lack of it.

"As a prison, we do the best we can with what is available.

"We desperately need more staff, as with all other prisons in England and Wales."

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: "The CPS takes assaults against all emergency workers – including prison officers and prison staff - extremely seriously.

"Those working on the frontline of our justice system perform a vital public service and deserve the full protection of the law."

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "This Government is bringing the prison system back from the brink of collapse, building 14,000 places and investing £75m to keep them safe and secure.

"While there's more to do, the report noted improvements at HMP Norwich, including new measures to tackle violence, and anyone who attacks a prison officer will face the full consequences of their actions.

"We're committed to helping prisoners gain the skills and training they need to find work and turn their lives around, through education, workshops and prison jobs."

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