The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, says that concerns raised by his predecessor in 2018 have not yet been dealt with.
One of the issues, was that security of the men’s only prison was due to be downgraded from Category B to Category C, but the move was suspended.
Yet the site houses around 900 Category C prisoners who were moved there in anticipation.
The reports also found prisoners have also been isolated for up to 10 days with only access to a shower due to Covid-19 restrictions.
A spokesperson for the MOJ said;
“Plans to transition High Down to a Category C prison will resume as soon as possible.
“Our Covid restrictions have ultimately saved lives – with no prisoner or staff deaths as this report recognises.”