Holme House

Response
I understand the Board’s concerns about funding for capital works and repairs, particularly following my visit to the prison at the end of August where I saw the issues for myself. There are two projects currently in development at HMP Holme House and it is envisaged both will be delivered this financial year. The first is to provide automated fire detection in an agreed number of cells. This will ensure the prison has increased resilience until there is a site-wide systems upgrade. The second is the refurbishment of the showers on house block 1. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) intends to implement a rolling programme of works from future funding allocations to ensure shower refurbishment continues across all remaining house blocks. The MoJ Projects Team have also started a commission for site roofing surveys and refurbishment, and this includes the workshops, laundry, gymnasium and visits building. The initial survey work will commence this financial year. Additional funding is being sought to address the various flooring issues across the establishment. Decision on funding allocation is anticipated imminently with the intention of replacing worn flooring within cellular accommodation. In the interim, flooring for cells out of use has been funded locally from the MoJ Property reactive/repair budgets. A full survey of the cells, serveries, and landings has taken place which has established the priority areas to be progressed once funds are allocated. Turning to repairs, it is recognised there have been issues with timeliness during the reporting period and consequently the facilities management and maintenance provider’s (Amey) site team have been instructed to dedicate resources to recommission cells as soon as possible following any works. The house block 7 fire system smoke ventilation louvres were replaced in 2023 and this has fully addressed the issues experienced. House block 6 heating and hot water boilers have also been addressed. There were a significant number of catering equipment failures whereby repairs took a long time to be carried out or the equipment was irreparable. Catering equipment is currently being assessed for replacement under the Asset Replacement Programme. Bids for the 2024-25 period for the replacement of catering assets will be submitted in due course. Due to the relatively low procurement values, servery equipment is generally reliant on the establishment to fund the replacement of assets as required. All requests from the establishment are considered by the MoJ, noting that demands for maintenance are much greater than the available funding. Therefore, once a bid for a project is received, the MoJ and HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) have to prioritise works very carefully to make best use of that funding, focusing on risk to life and risk to capacity and decency.

Response
The security vetting process is carried out to ensure individuals who wish to take up employment within HMPPS can uphold the security and integrity standards expected of their role and ensure prisons and probation remain safe for rehabilitation to take place. The security vetting process enables the organisation to understand the applicants to ensure we are building a safe and secure future workforce. HMPPS is not aware of any significant delays to the vetting process and the current average processing time for security vetting applications is ten days. It is possible that any delays experienced by candidates were as a result of delayed user engagement. When processing vetting applications, additional information is often requested from candidates and this information is required to process the full vetting application. The vetting teams will be unable to progress any application that requires further information until the applicant has provided the requested information in full and therefore user engagement is crucial in passing the vetting stage in a timely manner. Staff at HMP Holme House explain the process to candidates when they attend together with information about documents that they must upload. Local feedback indicates that the process is now quicker than when the new system was introduced in May 2023.

Response
The impact of food inflation and supply chain challenges have impacted the entire food sector. However, current performance of product availability and delivery timeliness to establishments overall remains high against contractual performance targets. In the event certain goods become unavailable, a system is in place to source suitable alternatives. The quality of food is routinely monitored and there has been no trend in complaints from catering teams regarding the quality of specific items. If any product is deemed to be of insufficient quality, the contractor will provide replacement products or credit is provided. If there is a repeated issue, there is a robust appraisal panel where goods are tested against specification compliance which includes prisoner feedback. HMPPS can confirm a review of the future food service is underway. At HMP Holme House, it is recognised there have been supply issues that can consequently lead to changes in the menu. A reduction in the quality of some products is also acknowledged. Significant changes have been made to the catering provision following a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. A review of the menu has taken place which has resulted in a number of changes to the items offered. As recommended, the number of processed and pastry-based food options has been reduced in favour of a greater number of homemade healthier options. This is an ongoing process which will see further changes being implemented. These changes are being considered by collaborating with prisoner representatives through a newly set up Food Committee which gives prisoners the opportunity for direct input. Although this is in its early days, the initiative appears to have been well received by prisoners who now feel that they have an opportunity to influence the meal offering.

Response
I understand the Board’s concerns about funding for capital works and repairs, particularly following my visit to the prison at the end of August where I saw the issues for myself. There are two projects currently in development at HMP Holme House and it is envisaged both will be delivered this financial year. The first is to provide automated fire detection in an agreed number of cells. This will ensure the prison has increased resilience until there is a site-wide systems upgrade. The second is the refurbishment of the showers on house block 1. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) intends to implement a rolling programme of works from future funding allocations to ensure shower refurbishment continues across all remaining house blocks. The MoJ Projects Team have also started a commission for site roofing surveys and refurbishment, and this includes the workshops, laundry, gymnasium and visits building. The initial survey work will commence this financial year. Additional funding is being sought to address the various flooring issues across the establishment. Decision on funding allocation is anticipated imminently with the intention of replacing worn flooring within cellular accommodation. In the interim, flooring for cells out of use has been funded locally from the MoJ Property reactive/repair budgets. A full survey of the cells, serveries, and landings has taken place which has established the priority areas to be progressed once funds are allocated. Turning to repairs, it is recognised there have been issues with timeliness during the reporting period and consequently the facilities management and maintenance provider’s (Amey) site team have been instructed to dedicate resources to recommission cells as soon as possible following any works. The house block 7 fire system smoke ventilation louvres were replaced in 2023 and this has fully addressed the issues experienced. House block 6 heating and hot water boilers have also been addressed. There were a significant number of catering equipment failures whereby repairs took a long time to be carried out or the equipment was irreparable. Catering equipment is currently being assessed for replacement under the Asset Replacement Programme. Bids for the 2024-25 period for the replacement of catering assets will be submitted in due course. Due to the relatively low procurement values, servery equipment is generally reliant on the establishment to fund the replacement of assets as required. All requests from the establishment are considered by the MoJ, noting that demands for maintenance are much greater than the available funding. Therefore, once a bid for a project is received, the MoJ and HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) have to prioritise works very carefully to make best use of that funding, focusing on risk to life and risk to capacity and decency.