HMIP
Regulator / Inspectorate
Noted
HM Inspectorate of Prisons acknowledges the concerns raised and states that the issues are covered in their inspection criteria. They will keep the findings on file for future inspections of HMP Whatton and HMP Hollesley Bay. (AI summary)
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Dear Mr. Burge,
Paul Martin GOBELL – Prevention of Future Deaths Report
Thank you for sharing your regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons). We are saddened to learn of the findings of your investigation.
HMI Prisons is an independent inspectorate. We provide scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report publicly on our findings.
HMI Prisons’ inspections are carried out against published inspection criteria known as Expectations. The Inspectorate sets its own inspection criteria to ensure transparency and independence. Many of the issues highlighted in your report are covered via our Expectations, and therefore matters which our inspectors will consider on each inspection. For example, in relation to first night interviews, one of our safety expectations states:
“Prisoners are safe and treated with respect on their reception and first night in prison. Risks are identified and prisoners are supported according to their individual needs.”
Other issues raised in your report such as the importance of prisoners being appropriately and safely located, the need for these decisions to be conveyed to prisoners, and the importance of prisoners being held in the appropriate security conditions, with all relevant departments involved in reviews, are also covered via our Expectations.
Where we identify concerns that need to be addressed by leaders and followed up by inspectors at the next inspection or independent review of progress, these are set out in our published reports. In line with agreed protocols, inspected prisons then provide an action plan three months after publication of the report.
17/01/25
We will keep your findings on file so that, when we next inspect HMP Whatton and HMP Hollesley Bay, inspectors are aware of this information and can follow up as appropriate.
For completeness, it would also be helpful if your office could please share the circumstances of the death, which we understand are set out in a separate attachment.
Paul Martin GOBELL – Prevention of Future Deaths Report
Thank you for sharing your regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons). We are saddened to learn of the findings of your investigation.
HMI Prisons is an independent inspectorate. We provide scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report publicly on our findings.
HMI Prisons’ inspections are carried out against published inspection criteria known as Expectations. The Inspectorate sets its own inspection criteria to ensure transparency and independence. Many of the issues highlighted in your report are covered via our Expectations, and therefore matters which our inspectors will consider on each inspection. For example, in relation to first night interviews, one of our safety expectations states:
“Prisoners are safe and treated with respect on their reception and first night in prison. Risks are identified and prisoners are supported according to their individual needs.”
Other issues raised in your report such as the importance of prisoners being appropriately and safely located, the need for these decisions to be conveyed to prisoners, and the importance of prisoners being held in the appropriate security conditions, with all relevant departments involved in reviews, are also covered via our Expectations.
Where we identify concerns that need to be addressed by leaders and followed up by inspectors at the next inspection or independent review of progress, these are set out in our published reports. In line with agreed protocols, inspected prisons then provide an action plan three months after publication of the report.
17/01/25
We will keep your findings on file so that, when we next inspect HMP Whatton and HMP Hollesley Bay, inspectors are aware of this information and can follow up as appropriate.
For completeness, it would also be helpful if your office could please share the circumstances of the death, which we understand are set out in a separate attachment.