Source · IMB Annual Report
Highpoint
Year: 2023
Published: 5 Jul 2024
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 1,300
Recommendations: 3
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Highpoint, a large Category C training and resettlement prison, reported around 1,300 prisoners during a year marked by significant increases in self-harm, violence, and assaults on staff. Key concerns included persistent issues with prisoner property management, inadequate maintenance services, and the ongoing challenge of contraband entry. Despite these, the report highlighted positive areas such as effective induction, a strong segregation unit, and robust neurodiversity support, alongside commendations for healthcare provision.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 2 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 585 | 322 |
| ACCT cases opened | 295 | 255 |
| Prisoner assaults | 195 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 128 | — |
| Use of force | 676 | — |
| Drug finds | 337 | — |
Positive findings
The Board noted positive developments including the re-established Listener scheme, the effective segregation unit, and a positive rating for GP and nurse-led services. Progress was also made in reducing work case backlogs, developing the key worker scheme, and providing therapeutic and educational courses. The neurodiversity support manager had a positive impact, and the chaplaincy's bereavement support was commended.
Key concerns
Other
Repeated
The loss or delay of prisoners’ property in transfer between establishments is still a concern for the Board, as it was in our last report in 2022.
Other
Repeated
There has been no improvement in the management of prisoners’ property within the prison, and the Board would also like to see an improvement in the handling of prisoners’ parcels within the security framework.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The service provided by Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL) is still a major cause for concern. The Board, once again, requests an urgent review of the works maintenance contract to ensure it fully meets the ongoing needs of a challenging prison environment.
Safety
Repeated
As noted in our last report, the netting that blew down in a storm is slowly being replaced (in most units). The prison is still vulnerable to ‘throw-overs’ and the increased opportunity for contraband to get into the prison, which has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the prisoners.
Substance Misuse
Drug debt and fermenting liquids to brew prison alcohol are a major concern and we welcome the strategies being implemented to counteract this.
Segregation
One of the constant-watch cells is in the Segregation Unit, which is considered inappropriate.
Safety
The IMB remains concerned that body worn video cameras (BWVC) are not always activated, or activated promptly, during a UoF force incident, despite their use being directed.
Safety
Incidents of disorder, in many of the categories reported to the IMB, continued to show a significant increase in prevalence.
Substance Misuse
Phoenix Futures practitioners report that drug debt is one of the main drivers of violence in the establishment. The Board is concerned about the correlation between the reported increase in violent incidents in 2023 and the increase in drug debt during the same period.
Substance Misuse
The Board remains concerned that drugs continue to get into the prison. Intelligence on the supply of drugs is ever changing, with routes that are cut off being replaced by other ones.
Safety
The IMB is concerned that netting installed to prevent throw-overs, which came down in storms some years ago, has still not been replaced around units 5 and 10, due to lack of funding.
Safety
The IMB has raised concerns with the Governor and at security meetings that regular searching of staff and Board members entering the prison is not undertaken.
Substance Misuse
During 2023, there has been a steady increase in the number of prisoners being found under the influence (UTI).
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The works being carried out by GFSL are still not done in a timely manner (see the IMB 2022 annual report).
Food/Catering
Bidfood, the food company, substitutes items it cannot supply, which makes it very difficult for kitchen staff to adhere to the agreed menus and, therefore, last-minute changes have to be made to the menus.
Food/Catering
The Board notes that servery orderlies do not always wear the appropriate protective clothing.
Mental Health
The bereavement counselling service, provided in the main by the charity Cruse Bereavement Support. This was frequently oversubscribed and not enough counsellors were available to meet the demand.
Complaints/Property
The Board has been advised that a prisoner can no longer telephone the IPCI and must communicate by letter. This causes problems for those prisoners who have difficulty with writing.
Staffing
The officer assigned to work 17.5 hours across the diversity, inclusion and social care team, is often redeployed, which can slow down the referral process for social care.
Healthcare
The speed of referrals is further hampered by the online portal being ‘user unfriendly’.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
In spite of the revised Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework, the loss or delay of prisoners’ property in transfer between establishments is still a concern for the Board, as it was in our last report in 2022. The Board, once again, asks for an urgent review into the handling of prisoners’ belongings.
Repeated
Response
I understand the Board’s continued concerns about prisoners’ property being lost or delayed during transfers. The emphasis must remain on prisoners complying with volumetric control limits, since any property within these limits will be transferred with them. This includes items which are exempt from volumetric control, such as legal papers. It is not possible to transfer all excess property with a prisoner which they might have accrued above these limits. There has been a requirement since the introduction of the Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework for prisons to transfer any excess items within four weeks. Previously, there was no time limit in place. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is aware of the problems around property and continues to look at what further can be done. |
Ministry of Justice | In progress |
| 2 |
There has been no improvement in the management of prisoners’ property within the prison, and the Board would also like to see an improvement in the handling of prisoners’ parcels within the security framework.
Repeated
Response
Locally at HMP Highpoint, the Governor has provided assurance that prisoners’ property is being managed robustly with appropriate escalation routes in place. Liaison with sending prisons take place to ensure property transfer is improved. The prison recently introduced a system to further improve the handling of property in reception and now holds reception days, a two-week rolling system for prisoners to submit their queries and questions onto a database. The reception staff will then update the database with a response and where needed, they will arrange for the prisoner to attend reception on their allocated day to go through their property. This process seems to be working well. Furthermore, when it has been agreed that a prisoner can be sent in a parcel from a loved one, the parcel will arrive at HMP Highpoint and will be subject to an x-ray and checking by the drug dog. The prisoner is invited to reception so that the parcel can be opened in their presence, and this is filmed on body-worn video camera and a full list of the contents then logged on the property card. Any items to remain in the possession of the prisoner will then be provided. Only the Head of Operations can provide final authority for approving parcels being sent into the establishment to ensure the request is appropriate and necessary. The only exception to this is for indeterminate sentenced prisoners who are automatically approved for a parcel to be sent in during the month of their birthday. |
Governor / Director | Implemented |
| 3 |
The service provided by Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL) is still a major cause for concern. The Board, once again, requests an urgent review of the works maintenance contract to ensure it fully meets the ongoing needs of a challenging prison environment.
Repeated
Response
The national service provision is under review through the Property Transformation Programme with plans to implement outcomes by 2026. Currently there are no plans to appoint an alternative contractor. Government Facility Services Ltd.’s performance for planned maintenance is improving and a fortnightly action plan meeting is in place with the relevant stakeholders to drive actions forward. Work to improve reactive works performance remains ongoing and there are action plans in place locally to support this. |
HMPPS | In progress |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Adjudications | 27 | — |
| Correspondence/Legal mail | 5 | — |
| Disciplinary issues | 8 | — |
| Food issues | 4 | — |
| General | 158 | — |
| Healthcare | 14 | — |
| Lost property | 60 | — |
| Segregation | 10 | — |
| Transfers | 21 | — |
Related inspections & investigations
16 Oct 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 4
· Activity 1
· Release 2
Other reports for Highpoint
Report details
- Establishment
- Highpoint
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 5 July 2024
- Responsible body
- HMP Highpoint
- Recommendations
- 3
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 1,300 |
| Operational capacity | 1,270 |
Service providers
Drug rehabilitation
Phoenix Futures
Escort contractor
Serco
Escort contractor (immigration transport)
Mitie
Family and children services
Ormiston Trust
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group Health and Rehabilitation Services Ltd
Information, advice and guidance (IAG)
Forward Trust
Learning, skills, education and training
People Plus
Maintenance
Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL)
Psychological therapies (IAPT)
Forward Trust
Resettlement housing
St Mungo’s