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Ford

AI-generated report summary 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.

Year: 2023 Published: 13 Feb 2024 Type: Prison · Cat D Population: 387 Recommendations: 17 Key concerns Positive findings
Original IMB report page ↗ Ministerial response · 19 Mar 2024 ↗

Safety statistics

Incidents during reporting year
IndicatorThis yearPrevious
Deaths in custody0—
Self-harm incidents0—
ACCT cases opened5—
Prisoner assaults0—
Assaults on staff0—
Use of force5—
Drug finds17896

Positive findings

AI-generated summary
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

7 items
Estate/Conditions Repeated 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.
Resettlement/Release Repeated 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.
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. Source wording under review
Complaints/Property Repeated 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)
Staffing Underuse of outdoor facilities and the negative impact on purposeful activity due to staff resourcing issues and inflexibility in workshops. Source wording under review
Education/Purposeful Activity The all-important education induction is now two hours, with a clearer focus on Personal Learning Plans (PLPs). These provide a positive opportunity to agree a schedule of education activities for each prisoner. It was, therefore, disappointing to see a lack of resource being provided by the new contractor, CXK, for a period of over six months, exacerbated by the contractor not seeming to be held accountable for this. This resulted in significant delays in both creating PLPs, as well as holding the follow-up meetings. We were encouraged to hear of an intention to digitise the PLPs, which will promote a more joined-up approach to each prisoner’s journey through Ford.
Other Repeated The prison has had both IPP (Indeterminate for Public Protection) and Lifers throughout the year. In October 2023, there were three IPP prisoners and 19 prisoners completing life sentences. Both categories receive enhanced-behaviour monitoring and additional psychological support. Two of the IPP prisoners will come to the end of their original sentences shortly and the third is 15 years over his original tariff. Together with IMBs throughout the country, we continue to stress that IPP sentences are inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners.

Recommendations

17 items · 9 repeated

Recommendation 1

Addressee: Ministry of Justice

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.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Resettlement

Recommendation 2

Addressee: Ministry of Justice

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Resettlement

Recommendation 3

Addressee: Ministry of Justice

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Other

Recommendation 4

Addressee: HMPPS

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.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Resettlement

Recommendation 5

Addressee: HMPPS

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Recommendation 6

Addressee: HMPPS

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Recommendation 7

Addressee: HMPPS

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)

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Safety

Recommendation 8

Addressee: HMPPS

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Resettlement

Recommendation 9

Addressee: HMPPS

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Resettlement

Recommendation 10

Addressee: HMPPS

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Complaints

Recommendation 11

Addressee: HMPPS

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Other

Recommendation 12

Addressee: Governor / Director

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.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Resettlement

Recommendation 13

Addressee: Governor / Director

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 Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Staffing

Recommendation 14

Addressee: Governor / Director

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)

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Recommendation 15

Addressee: Governor / Director

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)

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Recommendation 16

Addressee: Governor / Director

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)

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Education

Recommendation 17

Addressee: Governor / Director

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)

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Staffing

Applications to the IMB

CategoryCurrentPrevious
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
13 Apr 2021 HMIP · Inspection

Other reports for Ford

2025 Published 17 Mar 2026 Population 382 · Self-harm 1 · Concerns
2024 Published 25 Feb 2025 Population 343 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2022 Published 13 Apr 2023 Population 384 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2021 Published 6 Apr 2022 Population 389 · Self-harm 2 · Concerns
2020 Published 3 Feb 2021 · Self-harm 3 · Concerns