Photographs and a critical report have laid bare the "dreary" and "poor" living conditions inside a Staffordshire prison, prompting serious concerns from watchdogs.
Inspection Uncovers 'Shabby and Grim' Residential Units
Following a recent visit, HM Inspectorate of Prisons delivered a stark assessment of HMP Featherstone. The report, published in January 2026, described many of the jail's residential units as being in a substandard state. Inspectors were particularly scathing about the older accommodation blocks, which they labelled "shabby and grim".
While most prisoners at the facility were found to be living in single cells that were generally well-equipped, clean, and tidy, the situation was markedly worse for new arrivals. The report highlighted that cells for prisoners on their first night were "not always well prepared".
Overcrowded Induction and Segregation Woes
The problems were concentrated in specific areas. On the induction unit, the majority of inmates were forced to share small cells. A significant issue noted was that many of these shared cells still had inadequately screened toilets, offering little privacy to those housed within them.
Conditions were especially harsh in the segregation unit. Cells there were found to lack electricity sockets and the overall environment was described as "generally run down". The solitary exercise yard available to segregated prisoners was branded "bleak" by the inspecting team.
Failed Initiatives and Poor Maintenance
The prison had attempted to improve living standards by introducing rooms with cooking equipment and fridges on most units. However, this initiative was undermined by poor upkeep. On some units, the provided equipment was either limited in scope or in a poor state of cleanliness and repair.
Visual evidence from inside the prison supported the inspectorate's claims, showing peeling paint, missing plaster, and generally dilapidated surroundings in the main residential areas.
The findings from HMP Featherstone present a challenging picture for the Staffordshire facility, raising urgent questions about the quality of the environment for both new and long-term prisoners, as well as those held in the most restrictive conditions.
