Safety
there were 106 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults in this reporting year (a large increase, from 51, in the last reporting period)
Staffing
The staffing profile is of concern to the Board: the ongoing prison officer recruitment campaign and associated use of detached duty is leading to a reduction in the number of experienced prison officers at HMP Wakefield.
Safety
The physical security of the prison, and associated infrastructure to prevent the use of ‘drones’... requires attention.
Mental Health
Repeated
We remain concerned by the significant delays in accessing transfers to a secure hospital for prisoners who are in urgent need of mental health treatment.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
We ask the Minister to act in respect of prisoners at HMP Wakefield who are substantially over tariff and subject to the consequences of the now discredited ‘sentences of imprisonment for public protection [IPP]’.
Estate/Conditions
For prisoners who face mobility problems, the accommodation is not ideal.
Estate/Conditions
The physical infrastructure, by virtue of its age, presents challenges in maintaining humane living standards for prisoners and working conditions for staff.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Purposeful activity – we remain concerned that too many men are not meaningfully engaged in education or work opportunities.
Other
Prisoner property – we remain concerned that prisoners do not receive ‘in possession’ property from reception in a timely manner.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The astroturf sports pitch has been unavailable for several years. The pitch provides much needed opportunities for physical exercise.
Segregation
The Board remains of the view that segregation staff face a significant challenge in managing prisoners who refuse to leave segregation. On occasion, the Board has felt it necessary to object to further Rule 45 segregation on this basis. We do not think it is acceptable to expect staff at HMP Wakefield to manage these prisoners in the absence of a clear and achievable reintegration strategy.
Mental Health
The IMB remains concerned about the time taken to address the mental health issues of certain individuals and those who have spent an extraordinary amount of time in segregation.