Source · IMB Annual Report
Dovegate
Year: 2023
Published: 7 Mar 2024
Type: Prison · Cat B training
Recommendations: 10
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison managed by Serco, reported a generally calm and settled environment with good staff-prisoner relationships. Key challenges include persistent long waiting times for mental health transfers and dental appointments, along with concerns about lost prisoner property during transfers and staffing shortages affecting healthcare and education. The Board highlighted the need for improved strategies for IPP prisoners and more secure mental health spaces.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 4 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 555 | — |
Positive findings
The Board observed wings being calm and settled with good staff-prisoner relationships. There was a programme of painting and floor replacement, and new hot food trolleys were purchased, improving food temperature. Prisoners reported that HMP Dovegate is a good prison, and the quality of key work has improved. The multifaith team is proactive, and the inspire incentive scheme rewards good behaviour. The complaints system is efficiently run, and input from psychology in the CSU has improved the management of complex cases. Time out of cell is good, and the Therapeutic Community remains a calm and progressive place for prisoners.
Key concerns
Resettlement/Release
There are still a number of IPP prisoners at HMP Dovegate and one of the deaths in custody was immediately prior to the IPP prisoner’s sentence hearing. A clear strategy on how IPP prisoner can progress to release is much needed.
Mental Health
The number of secure mental health spaces available is not adequate for the number of seriously mentally ill prisoners. Funding for more spaces is desperately required.
Overcrowding
Repeated
The number of remand prisoners at HMP Dovegate has increased further since the last reporting period, and some have been on remand over 12 months, with no court date yet given. A focus on clearing the back log of court appearance for remand prisoners would be beneficial.
Other
Prisoners’ property continues to be lost in transit on a regular basis.
Overcrowding
Population pressures are increasing the number of incidents, so more community based sentences are needed.
Staffing
Ensure there is enough staff to make sure all health care appointments are attended.
Staffing
Continuity and stability of staff in the CSU would help to ensure Rule 45 GOoD reviews and paperwork are available on time, and give those prisoners held there the support they need.
Healthcare
It is important there is a medical prescriber in Reception for out of standard hours arrivals, to ensure prisoners get the medication they need on their first night.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Focus on improving both education and workshop activities for all prisoners.
Staffing
Continue to train and develop the inexperienced staff to maintain a safe and respectful working environment for all.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There are still a number of IPP prisoners at HMP Dovegate and one of the deaths in custody was immediately prior to the IPP prisoner’s sentence hearing. A clear strategy on how IPP prisoner can progress to release is much needed. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | The number of secure mental health spaces available is not adequate for the number of seriously mentally ill prisoners. Funding for more spaces is desperately required. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | The number of remand prisoners at HMP Dovegate has increased further since the last reporting period, and some have been on remand over 12 months, with no court date yet given. A focus on clearing the back log of court appearance for remand prisoners would be beneficial. Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | Prisoners’ property continues to be lost in transit on a regular basis. Management of the system from a national lead would have a major impact on reducing this problem. | HMPPS | |
| 5 | Population pressures are increasing the number of incidents, so more community based sentences are needed. | HMPPS | |
| 6 | Ensure there is enough staff to make sure all health care appointments are attended. | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | Continuity and stability of staff in the CSU would help to ensure Rule 45 GOoD reviews and paperwork are available on time, and give those prisoners held there the support they need. | Governor / Director | |
| 8 | It is important there is a medical prescriber in Reception for out of standard hours arrivals, to ensure prisoners get the medication they need on their first night. | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | Focus on improving both education and workshop activities for all prisoners. | Governor / Director | |
| 10 | Continue to train and develop the inexperienced staff to maintain a safe and respectful working environment for all. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 12 | 6 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 1 | 6 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 5 | 1 |
| Equality | 2 | 3 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 15 | 10 |
| Food and kitchens | 3 | 4 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 34 | 45 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 19 | 12 |
| Miscellaneous | 2 | 21 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 21 | 28 |
| Property within the establishment | 28 | 18 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 5 | 7 |
| Sentence management, including HDC (Home Detention Curfew), ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 16 | 5 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 14 | 6 |
| Transfers | 1 | 3 |
Related inspections & investigations
18 Sep 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 3
· Activity 1
· Release 3
11 Feb 2021
PFD
Michael Dobson · State Custody related deaths | Mental Health related deaths | Suicide (from 2015)
Other reports for Dovegate
Report details
- Establishment
- Dovegate
- Type
- Prison · Cat B training
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 7 March 2024
- Responsible body
- HMP Dovegate
- Recommendations
- 10
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| CNA (designed for) | 1,160 |
Service providers
Facilities Management
Serco Integrated Services
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Library Services
Serco in partnership with Staffordshire Library Services
Mental Health Services
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Prison Management
Serco
Social Care Assessments
Staffordshire County Council
Substance Misuse Treatment
Midland Partnership NHS Foundation Trust