Recommendation 1
Delays in notifying prisoners of parole decisions, arising from a backlog of cases, causes significant difficulties for prisoners and staff. When will this be addressed?
Source · IMB Annual Report
Foston Hall
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Foston Hall has shown positive developments in regime provision and some safety initiatives, yet it continues to grapple with persistently high self-harm rates and increased use of force. Staffing shortages have impacted key work and overall experience levels, while healthcare faces challenges with recruitment, missed appointments, and inadequate facilities. The Board highlights significant concerns regarding accommodation decency, delays in parole and mental health transfers, and a lack of analytical focus on protected characteristics, affecting fair treatment and access to services.
Year: 2023
Published: 9 May 2024
Type: Prison · Cat YOI female
Population: 284
Recommendations: 22
Key concerns
Positive findings
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
Positive findings
AI-generated summaryThe IMB observes Foston Hall's focus on prisoner safety, evidenced by new initiatives and decreasing self-harm rates. The Board welcomes significant progress in lifting regime restrictions, leading to a more humane environment with resumed exercise and activities. Healthcare shows improvements in hospital appointment attendance and overnight cover, while education has experienced less disruption. Efforts to address prisoner homelessness on release are also noted.
Key concerns
Delays in notifying prisoners of parole decisions, arising from a backlog of cases, causes significant difficulties for prisoners and staff.
The 28-day target for transfer from custody to a secure hospital was not met locally in five out of 29 cases.
There has been continued inadequacy of accommodation in the CSU and D wing.
Self-harm levels continue to be high.
Listeners are being trained, but often step down, so there is limited access to Listeners.
Challenge, support and intervention plans (CSIPs) continue to be underused and there is a high rate of ‘no further action’ following a referral. Furthermore, investigations are often not completed within 72 hours, all of which affects the level of support to prisoners.
There have been increased levels of use of force and a disproportionate use of force towards young adults.
Staffing issues have had an impact on the implementation of key working, as intended in the offender management in custody (OMiC) model.
Delays in prisoners accessing their property.
Prisoners do not receive responses to applications.
What action can be taken to address the ongoing problems with heating, hot water and delays in repairs?
There is a lack of analysis about the impact of protected characteristics on prisoners’ access to incentives, services and activities.
The issue with the quality and timeliness of DIRFs has resulted in a lack of confidence in the process by prisoners.
A significant number of healthcare appointments are missed.
The medication dispensing hatch remains unfit for purpose, with prisoners queuing outside in all weathers and not being assured of privacy if the queue isn’t well-managed.
Clinical and group-work space for physical and mental healthcare and group-work space for mental healthcare is very limited.
Carers for people with support needs can have long waits for escorts or even be turned away at the gate if a serious incident is in progress, leaving prisoners with unmet care needs.
The healthcare service does not collect equalities’ data and, therefore, cannot monitor for disproportionate outcomes.
The prison has failed to monitor equalities in education, including examining whether there is disproportionate access to classes and qualifications.
Disabled prisoners have not been able to access upper floor classrooms, which prevents their participation in the full range of education provision.
There is not enough staff to run reliable library sessions, resulting in a lack of access by prisoners.
How will you address the problem of prisoners being homelessness on release?
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
The 28-day target for transfer from custody to a secure hospital was not met locally in five out of 29 cases. When will action be taken to address the gaps in hospital provision?
Response
Access to secure mental health accommodation is a national issue. Demand is high. A statutory limit of 28 days for transfers from prison to hospital is being monitored, and work is ongoing to improve consistency and quality.
Recommendation 3
There has been continued inadequacy of accommodation in the CSU and D wing. Will there be further funding to improve the quality and decency of these wings?
Response
Replacements for D wing and CSU remain unfunded due to competing pressures. A new portacabin provides space for healthcare admin, freeing up space for treatment, and a second portacabin provides two bespoke spaces for one-to-one interviews. Additional accommodation for healthcare administration has been created, freeing up treatment rooms.
Recommendation 4
Self-harm levels continue to be high. What more can be done to support prisoners who harm themselves?
Response
Multidisciplinary approach. Aim to keep women as active as possible. Additional operational support for early days. Analyst appointed to identify trends and themes from data. Re-introduction of key work commenced. ACCT (assessment, care in custody and teamwork document) assurance checks have improved quality.
Recommendation 5
Listeners are being trained, but often step down, so there is limited access to Listeners. How can retention rates be improved?
Response
In 2021, there were five Listeners. One prisoner responsible for large number of calls. Continue to drive availability of Listeners.
Recommendation 6
Challenge, support and intervention plans (CSIPs) continue to be underused and there is a high rate of ‘no further action’ following a referral. Furthermore, investigations are often not completed within 72 hours, all of which affects the level of support to prisoners. How can this be addressed?
Response
CSIP still bedding in. Improvement delivery plan in place. Recently appointed safety hub manager is now decision-maker, with three band 3 officers to investigate referrals and upskill staff.
Recommendation 7
There have been increased levels of use of force and a disproportionate use of force towards young adults. How can this be reduced?
Recommendation 8
Staffing issues have had an impact on the implementation of key working, as intended in the offender management in custody (OMiC) model. What action will you be taking to improve staff availability?
Response
Activity and safety were prioritised, and key work suspended in the light of staffing gaps.
Recommendation 9
How will you cut down on the delays in prisoners accessing their property?
Response
Recent increase in staffing in reception has reduced delays.
Recommendation 10
Prisoners do not receive responses to applications. What action can be taken to make this system reliable and timely?
Recommendation 11
What action can be taken to address the ongoing problems with heating, hot water and delays in repairs?
Response
Amey impacted by reduced team due to staff shortages. Additional funding sought to replace old machines.
Recommendation 12
There is a lack of analysis about the impact of protected characteristics on prisoners’ access to incentives, services and activities. How can this be addressed to ensure there is no discrimination?
Response
Work on equalities hampered due to resourcing issues within team. I am looking at affordability in budget.
Recommendation 13
The issue with the quality and timeliness of DIRFs has resulted in a lack of confidence in the process by prisoners. How – and when – will you address this issue to regain trust and confidence in the overall process?
Recommendation 14
A significant number of healthcare appointments are missed. What can be done to improve communication to prisoners about appointments and enable their attendance?
Response
Currently looking at making instructors aware of healthcare focus on missed appointments, so women can go to work and attend appointments from there.
Recommendation 15
The medication dispensing hatch remains unfit for purpose, with prisoners queuing outside in all weathers and not being assured of privacy if the queue isn’t well-managed. When will this be addressed?
Recommendation 16
Clinical and group-work space for physical and mental healthcare and group-work space for mental healthcare is very limited. How can their accommodation be improved?
Recommendation 17
Carers for people with support needs can have long waits for escorts or even be turned away at the gate if a serious incident is in progress, leaving prisoners with unmet care needs. How can this be addressed?
Response
We minimise movement through the gate due to security risks at 7pm. Need to risk-assess whether we can provide later access with social care partners.
Recommendation 18
The healthcare service does not collect equalities’ data and, therefore, cannot monitor for disproportionate outcomes. When will this be addressed?
Recommendation 19
The prison has failed to monitor equalities in education, including examining whether there is disproportionate access to classes and qualifications. When will this be addressed?
Recommendation 20
Disabled prisoners have not been able to access upper floor classrooms, which prevents their participation in the full range of education provision. When will there be a solution?
Response
There is a limit to rooms available on ground floor. Prison disability lead is working with People Plus to explore options.
Recommendation 21
There is not enough staff to run reliable library sessions, resulting in a lack of access by prisoners. When will this be addressed?
Response
Team-related issues within library and vacancy in learning and skills manager post. Work taking place with wing staff to raise the profile of library slots.
Recommendation 22
How will you address the problem of prisoners being homelessness on release?
Response
Weekly pre-release meeting supporting action for prisoners approaching release to find accommodation. New prison employment lead in post and advisory Board chaired by Greggs to improve employment outcomes. Work-based release on temporary licence (ROTL) opportunities being explored.
Related inspections & investigations
Other reports for Foston Hall
· Self-harm 2,014
· Concerns
Population 292
· Self-harm 1,423
· Concerns
Population 231
· Concerns
Population 264
· Concerns
Population 245
· Concerns