Source · IMB Annual Report
Haverigg
Year: 2023
Published: 20 Mar 2024
Type: Prison · Cat D
Population: 496
Recommendations: 3
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Haverigg, an open category D prison for PCoSO prisoners, effectively managed a 50% population increase while maintaining low levels of self-harm and violence. The Board noted high standards of humane treatment, robust healthcare provision, and strong focus on education and resettlement. Key concerns remain the inhumane nature of IPP sentences, persistent property loss during transfers, and inconsistencies in sentence management.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 2 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 14 | 9 |
| ACCT cases opened | 40 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 9 | — |
| Use of force | 4 | — |
Positive findings
HMP Haverigg maintains low levels of self-harm and violence, with no significant safety concerns. The Board commends the positive and constructive culture, ensuring fair and humane treatment, and effective management of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Healthcare provision remains of a high standard, with positive prisoner feedback despite staffing pressures. Education, vocational training, and resettlement initiatives are strong, with high attendance and good Ofsted ratings. The Board also commends the Governor and staff for maintaining the prison regime during severe weather and notes improvements in communication and a reduction in complaints.
Key concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
The Board considers IPP sentences to be inhumane, degrading and a cause of psychological distress to prisoners.
Other
Repeated
the board believes that standards within the Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework are not being met, as there has been no apparent reduction in the loss of prisoners’ property, especially for those transferring between prisons.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
anecdotal feedback, however, suggests there may still be some inconsistencies, with prisoners occasionally expressing uncertainty or confusion with regard to their sentence management.
Healthcare
locum doctor provided by Spectrum Health Care voiced concerns to Board members about the prior treatment received, or perhaps not received, by prisoners in other establishments before transferring to Haverigg.
Resettlement/Release
The DART team has raised concern about limited community support adversely affecting prisoners on discharge.
Resettlement/Release
some employers being reluctant or unwilling to employ ex-PCoSO prisoners.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | the board urges the Minister to bring forward legislation to enable a re-sentencing exercise, as recommended by the Justice Committee in September 2022. Repeated | Other | |
| 2 | The Board urges the Prison Service to review and, where necessary, revise the framework, ensuring the necessary safeguards and sanctions are in place to improve performance. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 3 | the Board has not examined specific evidence to support or refute this feedback, but asks the Governor and senior managers to maintain careful and sustained oversight of this important area to ensure consistency. Repeated | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 3 | 0 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 1 | 0 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 0 | 4 |
| Equality | 0 | 0 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 2 | 3 |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 2 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 4 | 9 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 2 | 0 |
| Miscellaneous | 9 | 4 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 10 | 9 |
| Property within the establishment | 3 | 2 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 1 | 5 |
| Sentence management, including HDC (Home Detention Curfew), ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence), parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 13 | 23 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 2 | 4 |
| Total number of applications | 51 | 69 |
| Transfers | 1 | 4 |
Related inspections & investigations
31 Mar 2025
HMIP · Unannounced
Other reports for Haverigg
Report details
- Establishment
- Haverigg
- Type
- Prison · Cat D
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 20 March 2024
- Responsible body
- HMP Haverigg
- Recommendations
- 3
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 496 |
| Operational capacity | 499 |
Service providers
Adult social care
Cumbria County Council (until 31 March 2023)
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK
Dental services
Time for Teeth
Education and training
Novus, the Manchester College
Facilities management
Amey
Financial advice
Interventions Alliance
GP services
Spectrum Community Health CIC
Library service
Cumbria County Council (until 31 March 2023)
Mental health
Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust
Opticians
Pasons
Pharmacy
Rowlands Pharmacy
Physiotherapy
ED physiotherapy
Primary healthcare
Spectrum Community Health CIC
Prisoners’ canteen
Booker/DHL
Prisoners’ Listener training and phone line support
The Samaritans
Prisoner transport
GEOAmey
Substance misuse service
Spectrum Community Health CIC
Visitor centre
Partners of Prisoners Service (POPS)
Vocational course provider
Fusion21