Inmates were not given enough underwear - watchdog

Prisoners are now being given enough underwear and socks, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said, following criticism from a watchdog.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) said new prisoners at HMP Durham had been receiving less than half the personal clothing items they were entitled to.

It said last year it found new inmates at HMP Durham were only given three pairs of shorts and socks, and not the eight they were entitled to under national guidelines.

The MoJ said all new prisoners at the site were now provided with their full entitlement of clothing, bedding and towels.

The IMB had previously said the prison was "regularly" falling short of complying with national standards on clothing and bedding.

Its latest report into the prison was based on monitoring it conducted between November 2024 and October 2025.

In the document it included a comment from the prison governor responding to its latest clothing criticism.

The response, dated 20 January, said bedding and clothing would now be managed centrally, instead of being delegated to each wing.

However, the IMB said at the end of its reporting year period, the prison was still "non-compliant with minimum clothing entitlements".

The MoJ said that was no longer the case.

Inspectors also said funding cuts meant inmates had lost access to classes on food safety, industrial cleaning and creative enterprise.

Those in the vulnerable prisoner unit also experienced a 50% cut in English and maths lessons, it said.

Cuts had also led to the loss of the prison's special educational needs co-ordinator, as well as its reading specialist, the IMB said.

These cuts meant prisoners with learning difficulties and disabilities were "negatively impacted", it said.

The MoJ said work was under way to expand opportunities for prisoners though "higher quality lessons" and "sector specific training".

Another role lost at the prison in October 2025 focused on an inmate's first days in custody, which IMB said was "vital".

Concerns were also raised that there were no plans to reinstate the role.

Inspectors also said there were longstanding issues at the site including overcrowding and "undignified separation from toilet and living space".

The team did however note there had been a 42% reduction in the number of prisoners self-harming compared to the previous year.

The IMB also praised the "well stocked library" at the site and the fact prisoners had "good opportunities" to engage in vocational training.

The MoJ said it fully acknowledged the challenges at HMP Durham.

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