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Scathing report on HMP Winchester ‘will not bring the needed change’

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A damning report on the state of HMP Winchester highlights the risks prisoners and staff are facing, warned the Prison Officers’ Association (POA).

Sarah Rigby, POA national executive committee member, said the government’s reaction to the Urgent Notification may once again fall short of what is needed.

Ms Rigby said she was doubtful that the official response would bring the sustained changes Winchester urgently needed.

“I genuinely wish I had some faith that this notification would create a big ripple effect and give Winchester what it needs. But I don’t,” she said.

“The longer this system of HM Inspectorate of Prisons going in and issuing these urgent notifications goes on, the less faith I have in it, to be honest. These notifications have started to lose relevance.”

Ms Rigby’s concerns echo those voiced by many prison reform advocates who say that the cycle of inspections and short-term fixes often lack the sustained investment necessary for meaningful reform.

Ms Rigby pointed to the repeated warnings at other facilities—Exeter and Bristol prisons, each of which has received two Urgent Notifications—as a sign that the system is not addressing root issues.

“They come up with a plan on paper, a plan of what they’ll do. They might parachute in a couple of extra governors, maybe a few extra staff, but that funding isn’t indefinite,” Ms Rigby said.

“They’ll bring in resources for a year or two, tick a few boxes, and hope that’s enough to improve things. But the reality is that these problems are systemic.”

Safety concerns hit crisis levels


The latest inspection at HMP Winchester, a Victorian-era Category B prison housing about 670 male inmates, highlighted widespread issues, from drug availability to violence.

Among reception centres in England and Wales, Winchester now has the highest rate of serious sexual assaults.

Drug prevalence is also at critical levels, with 41% of inmates testing positive in August and nearly half reporting easy access to illicit substances.

Ms Rigby underscored the challenges officers face when dealing with rising violence, particularly with inmates experiencing mental health issues and communication difficulties.

“Our officers are expected to manage highly vulnerable people, many of whom have complex mental health needs, without the proper training to respond appropriately,” she said.

This lack of specialised training can lead to unsafe conditions for both inmates and staff, creating a volatile environment that worsens with every new intake, she said.

Systemic failures

The inspection report also highlighted a 297-case backlog of unresolved disciplinary hearings, and about one-third of CCTV cameras remain in disrepair.

Conditions have worsened in recent years, with maintenance issues, such as leaking roofs and broken windows, remaining unresolved since 2022.

Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons Martin Lomas acknowledged the gravity of the issues, calling for “sustained support and investment” if the prison is to achieve “decent living conditions, keep prisoners safe, and provide them with the skills they need to succeed in life outside prison”.

Winchester’s current conditions, however, suggest that such sustained support is far from guaranteed.

According to Rigby, the short-term fixes often applied to urgently flagged prisons lack the depth required for lasting improvement.

Widespread issues



Winchester joins eight other UK prisons, including Woodhill, Wandsworth, and Exeter, in receiving an Urgent Notification since November 2022.

While Prisons Minister Lord Timpson stressed the importance of preventing prisons from becoming “breeding grounds for further crime,” critics argue that these statements need to be backed by action.

Mark Day, deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust, supports Ms Rigby’s call for deeper changes.

“Inspectors are right to lay the blame on systematic failings with the prison service and Ministry of Justice…a radical change to our approach to imprisonment is needed,” he said.

Meanwhile, a 2022 ITV Meridian report had already labeled Winchester “one of the most violent jails in the country”.

Despite a government-deployed team of experienced officers aimed at managing violence, the persistent problems at Winchester signal the need for more than temporary boosts in staffing or oversight.

Complete overhaul needed



Educational and rehabilitative programs at HMP Winchester have also suffered.

The Ministry of Justice recently acknowledged an Ofsted rating of “inadequate” for Winchester’s educational services, underscoring the lack of rehabilitative support available to inmates.

For Ms Rigby, the cycle of urgent notifications and temporary interventions does not bode well for true reform.

“Without genuine, sustained support and training, these efforts will continue to miss the mark,” she warned.

Ms Rigby’s message is a clear one: the prison system’s current approach does not need more band-aid solutions—it requires a complete overhaul focused on consistent funding, comprehensive training, and support for both staff and inmates alike.

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Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2025 launches in Winchester

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Communities are encouraged to buy a poppy as this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is launched in the lead-up to Remembrance Day. 

Poppies are on sale across the country | Photo Credit: Kieran Tibbert

The annual fundraising campaign supports members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, personnel and their families. 

The Poppy Appeal remains the Legion’s biggest annual fundraiser.  

Last year, more than 32 million poppies were distributed across the UK, and about £51.4 million was raised in donations. 

Chris Hayward is managing the Poppy Appeal in North Hampshire & Winchester and said: “Wearing a poppy during Remembrance time shows that you care.” 

“It’s a national symbol, and it shows the armed forces community that you appreciate everything that they do.” 

She added: “For those who want to get involved, you can wear your poppy, donate to the Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, and also participate in the collections and volunteer as a collector.” 

Winchester will be recognising remembrance itself, with a service at the Cathedral on Sunday, 9th November, in addition to a service at Winchester Guildhall at 11 am on Armistice Day. 

The service will begin at 9:20 am and will include a procession from The Broadway to Winchester Cathedral, as well as wreath laying too. 

Donations from the campaign go towards services including mental health support, housing assistance and employment advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life. 

For more information on how to donate, volunteer or order poppies online, visit: britishlegion.org.uk/poppyappeal.  

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Does Earth really have two moons until 2083?

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Moon in space - from Pexels

Until 2093, asteroid 2025 PN7 will be sharing the Earth’s orbit.

You may have seen circuiting on social media a myth that the Earth has two moons from now until 2083 – sadly, that’s science fiction. 

In August of this year astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7.

It is considered a quasi-moon as it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth. 

According to Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Centre, the asteroid has been travelling “alongside Earth for 60 years”.

Due to the size of the asteroid, it wasn’t discovered until this summer.

Astronomy fans hoping to see a second moon in the sky are out of luck.  

The asteroid is too small and far away to be seen by the naked eye or regular telescopes.

The number of asteroids in Earth-like orbit has been known to exceed 100.

Some orbit alongside the Earth for merely months, whereas others years or decades.

Currently, six other quasi-moons have been recorded near Earth.

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Tax on SUVs criticised by for disability campaigner

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Permit sign. Text says: "Permit holders only Mon-Sat 8am-10pm"

Cardiff is the first UK city to introduce a “tax” for SUVs weighing over 2.4 tonnes.

The tax is to be enforced in residential permit areas, and also includes cars that are powered by diesel.

Cardiff Council is hoping that implementing this will improve congestion, the air quality, and create space on pavements.

The exact cost has yet to be announced, but the council has announced it will be releasing the tax in phases.

Winchester is a relatively small city with many residential permit areas – the question of a similar initiative being introduced locally has arisen.

Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council chose not to respond to Winchester News Online, with Winchester City Council stating that it is not a subject a councillor is likely to comment on, as it is an issue relevant to Cardiff and not yet an issue to Winchester.

Though the council does not yet deem this a possibility, it has gotten the public talking.

Jet Gates, a disability campaigner, said: 

“It’s going to have a massive impact on disabled people across the UK

“We are a highly marginalized group in society – it’s just yet another nail in the coffin.”

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