HMP Rochester Faces Urgent Reforms After Years of Neglect

The first category C prison to receive an urgent notification reveals severe conditions, violence, and systemic failures.

HMP Rochester has been issued an urgent notification for improvement after a decade of decline.
Inspectors found decrepit conditions, rampant drug use, and rising violence and self-harm.
The prison's focus on education, work, and training for inmates is fundamentally failing.
Leadership failures and lack of investment have contributed to the deteriorating state.
An action plan from the government is required within 28 days to address these issues.