Source · IMB Annual Report
Ford
Year: 2023
Published: 13 Feb 2024
Type: Prison · Cat D
Population: 387
Recommendations: 17
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Ford, a Category D open prison, achieved positive recognition from HMIP for its safe and humane environment, with commendable healthcare and a strong focus on rehabilitation. While the prison effectively supports resettlement and purposeful activity, the IMB raises significant concerns regarding the severe under-maintenance of the estate, slow progress on a planned expansion, and persistent issues with external Probation Service support. Additionally, challenges with external contractors for education and the ongoing problem of inter-prison property transfers continue to hinder prisoner progression.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 0 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 5 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 0 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 0 | — |
| Use of force | 5 | — |
| Drug finds | 178 | 96 |
Positive findings
HMP Ford provides a safe and humane environment, with staff commended for their respectful treatment of prisoners. Healthcare, chaplaincy, and the reducing reoffending team deliver effective and commendable services, passing a CQC inspection with no adverse findings. The prison has seen positive changes in education, including the implementation of Personal Learning Plans and the positive impact of a neurodiversity support manager. Efforts to secure employment for prisoners post-release have been successful, with improved cleanliness, community-building activities, and diligent complaint monitoring also noted.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The continuing deterioration and failure to adequately maintain the prison estate, particularly A, R and Q wings, raising health and safety concerns and questioning the slow pace of refurbishment.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Ongoing lack of external Probation Service support, which negatively impacts prisoners' access to ROTL, particularly for those returning to London.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Significant delays and lack of planning for the new build expansion project (to 779 men) and its impact on existing prison facilities, coupled with the cramped reception area lacking electronic security scanners.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Persistently high number of complaints regarding the failure to safely transfer prisoners' personal property between prisons, with little national movement on the property framework.
Staffing
Underuse of outdoor facilities and the negative impact on purposeful activity due to staff resourcing issues and inflexibility in workshops.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The external supplier, CXK, did not provide the contracted level of resource for over six months to deliver Personal Learning Plans for prisoners, and the contractor was not held accountable.
Other
Repeated
The continued use of IPP sentences is inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Governor and his team are rightly to be congratulated on the positive HMIP report in April 2023. There is much to build on and Ford now needs the resource and support of the MoJ and HMPPS to ensure that its objectives as a resettlement prison are fully met. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Last year, the Board reported on issues with outside probation that are affecting some men’s access to ROTL. The situation has not improved, although the problems/delays in communication are now mostly affecting the large proportion of prisoners who will return to their London home area. (7.3.2) Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | Together with IMBs throughout the country, we continue to stress that sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPPs) are inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners. There were three prisoners serving IPP sentences in Ford at the end of the reporting year (and seven in the previous year). (7.4.7) Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | The Governor and his team are rightly to be congratulated on the positive HMIP report in April 2023. There is much to build on and Ford now needs the resource and support of the MoJ and HMPPS to ensure that its objectives as a resettlement prison are fully met. | HMPPS | |
| 5 | The length of time that it is taking to break ground on the new build project is an ongoing disappointment. In addition, it is concerning that there seems to be little, if any, planning for the impact of the significant increase in prisoner numbers (beyond the previous 544 capacity to 779) on other parts of the prison, such as the gym/sports facilities and reception, for example. (5.1.3) Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 6 | There has been some welcome refurbishment of the shower/toilet facilities on several corridors. However, the continuing failure to adequately maintain the prison estate to an acceptable level leads us to question what actually needs to happen before a full refurbishment plan is drawn up and executed for A, R and Q wings, in particular. The Board is concerned that the health and safety of prisoners and staff is at risk of being compromised without such action. (5.1.4) Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 7 | The Reception area at Ford is cramped, with limited space for necessary but time-consuming searches. There are no electronic security scanners, which we understand are available in other prisons and would, we note, be a positive addition to the fight against illicit drugs and mobile phones. (4.1.1) | HMPPS | |
| 8 | Last year, the Board reported on issues with outside probation that are affecting some men’s access to ROTL. The situation has not improved, although the problems/delays in communication are now mostly affecting the large proportion of prisoners with a London address. (7.3.2) Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 9 | The Board commented last year on issues with access to appropriate accommodation for some men on release, notably the shortage of approved premises. In spite of the significant efforts of the staff at Ford, this shortage continues to negatively impact the success of prisoner releases. (7.6.2) Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 10 | There continues to be a high number of complaints, resulting from the failure to safely transfer the personal property of prisoners between prisons. The 2022 Prisoners Property Policy Framework does not appear to have made any noticeable improvement and we are concerned that certain prisons (not HMP Ford) are particularly poor in this very important area. (5.7.1) Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 11 | There is, we understand, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Management Board of the Independent Monitoring Boards and HMPPS regarding the proper provision of a clerk to support the efficient and effective function of the Board. For some years, HMP Ford has not been allocated the hours to provide this support, which is an exception around the prison estate. Whilst this is disappointing, more importantly, it frustrates the work of our volunteer Board. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 12 | The Governor and his team are rightly to be congratulated on the positive HMIP report in April 2023. There is much to build on and a combination of the resource and support of the MoJ and HMPPS, as well as the leadership of the Governor and his team, will help Ford to meet its principal objective of improving prisoner outcomes as they leave the prison system. | Governor / Director | |
| 13 | Through the reporting period, the Board notes that there has been a more motivated Governor and staff team, which has made a noticeable difference in the day-to-day life of the prison. We support the Governor’s commitment to this all-important work, whilst always positioning prisoner outcomes at the heart of any change. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 14 | It is pleasing to report on the successful refurbishment of the showers and toilets on D and E wings during the year. Whilst the delivery of the works was slow, we were more concerned that the provision of temporary outdoor shower and toilet facilities was unfit for purpose. Any plans for further such works should address this as a matter of priority. (5.1.5) | Governor / Director | |
| 15 | Ford is a huge (110 acre) site that contains a number of unused and almost derelict buildings and land. Apart from the potentially missed opportunity from not making better use of the land, this also contributes to a lack of cleanliness around the estate. We are pleased that the new Governor has made this a priority, given the negative impact this can have on the prevailing attitudes at Ford. (4.6.1) | Governor / Director | |
| 16 | We note that for a period of over six months, the external supplier, CXK, did not provide the contracted level of resource to deliver the all-important Personal Learning Plans for prisoners. The Board believes that when a contractor doesn’t deliver, a more robust response is needed. (7.2.3) | Governor / Director | |
| 17 | Staff resourcing issues and inflexibility have meant that the excellent outdoor facilities at Ford are significantly underused, particularly during the all- important weekends. The Board is pleased to note the steps being taken at the end of the year to address this. (6.5.1) | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 45 | 38 |
| Children and families | 10 | 13 |
| Complaints (internal and external) | 12 | 18 |
| Disciplinary (Adjudication and Segregation) | 15 | 13 |
| Healthcare (mental and physical) | 30 | 29 |
| Legal | 14 | 17 |
| Money/debt/valuables | 11 | 10 |
| Other | 12 | 13 |
| Property | 64 | 59 |
| Safeguarding (ACCTS and bullying) | 2 | 1 |
| Sentence management and release | 34 | 27 |
| Work/education/training/purposeful activity | 20 | 20 |
Related inspections & investigations
4 Apr 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 3
· Activity 3
· Release 4
Other reports for Ford
Report details
- Establishment
- Ford
- Type
- Prison · Cat D
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 13 February 2024
- Responsible body
- HMP Ford
- Recommendations
- 17
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 387 |
| Operational capacity | 389 |
Service providers
Academic education
Milton Keynes College
Canteen/Distribution warehouse
DHL
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Infrastructure maintenance
Gov Facility Services Limited
Personal Learning Plans
CXK
Vocational training
Chichester College
Workshop/Employment
Inpress Plastics