Source · IMB Annual Report
Wetherby
Year: 2023
Published: 30 Jan 2024
Type: Prison · Cat YOI
Population: 168
Recommendations: 11
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMYOI Wetherby experienced a challenging reporting year ending August 2023, marked by periods of severe instability, high violent behaviour, and increasing contraband finds. While the Board commended improvements in the estate, healthcare provision, and some excellent resettlement initiatives, significant concerns persist regarding the unpredictable regime, insufficient time out of cell, and the inadequate conditions on B wing. Staffing issues, including high turnover and an imbalance in officer demographics, continue to impact regime delivery, alongside national policy impacts such as Operation Safeguard and the high number of young people on remand with limited support.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Use of force | 1,194 | — |
| Drug finds | 39 | — |
Positive findings
The Board welcomed ongoing investment in the site and general estate improvements, commending excellent staff relationships with challenging young people. Healthcare provision was observed to be good with 24-hour cover, and there was positive investment in education colleges, leading to student success in external examinations. Excellent ROTL initiatives, such as barbering for the homeless and volunteering, were introduced and praised for promoting learning and awareness. The library was upgraded, and the Storybook Dads scheme remained popular and worthwhile, alongside successful family days.
Key concerns
Safety
During March and April of 2023, a multitude of factors led to the stability of Wetherby being severely compromised.
Safety
Violent behaviour has remained high throughout the reporting year. Whether assaults perpetrated between young people or against staff, it is unacceptable.
Substance Misuse
The Board is concerned as to the increasing finds of drugs, phones and improvised weapons. It is a positive outcome that the finds occur; what is of concern is that drugs and phones continue to enter the establishment.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The lack of a predictable regime causes frustration and uncertainty for the young people, many of whom have already experienced chaotic lifestyles before entering custody. Cancellations of regime, educational classes or activities and time out of room make up the majority of applications (written representations that young people make to the IMB) during this reporting year.
Estate/Conditions
Conditions on B wing, which includes young people who are classified as Restricted Status (RS), which means the YOI thinks they are at risk of trying to escape, and those young people who have just arrived at Wetherby, First Night in Custody (FNIC), are unsatisfactory. Mouldy showers, cells and wings dirty and in poor repair are unacceptable.
Food/Catering
The daily food allowance (DFA) remains inadequate; however, the catering team appears to manage this budget skilfully and with imagination.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Whilst the Board acknowledges that there has been gradual improvement in time out of room, it remains disappointing.
Education/Purposeful Activity
This has been a very difficult year for the education department. The culmination of a new contract awarded to Novus for seven years, staff resignations and a restricted prison regime had a negative impact on the department’s ability to deliver education. Too many lesson cancellations have taken place.
Overcrowding
Operation Safeguard was introduced by the Government to help alleviate the overcrowding in the male adult estate. This means that young people who are 18 now stay at Wetherby until they are 19. During the reporting year more than 40 have remained at Wetherby under Operation Safeguard, with the number constantly increasing. These young people are frustrated by the delay in their transfer, which does little to help the stability of the establishment.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Too many young people are held on remand in custody due to the court delays, with limited support or interventions. In August 2023, out of a population 168, 48 were on remand. Priority should be given to address both the delays and the lack of meaningful interventions.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
The Board remains concerned about the suitability of placing girls at Wetherby, in their present accommodation. When will a decision be reached regarding their future placement?
Overcrowding
Operation Safeguard has meant that an ever-increasing number of 18-year-old+ young men remain at Wetherby until almost 19 years of age. How long is this policy to remain in place?
Resettlement/Release
The Board remains concerned about those young people who are ‘looked after’ by the local authority and consider that they are frequently financially disadvantaged due to late payments or lack of financial support. How can this situation be improved?
Resettlement/Release
Although every young person has been released to an address, not all addresses are deemed to be suitable by the social care team. Local authorities have been challenged on this on more than 29 occasions. What can be done to assure young people and the Board that this unsatisfactory situation will be improved?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
For the increasing number of young people serving very lengthy sentences, what can be put in place to make their time in custody relevant and beneficial, whilst also preparing them for eventual reintegration into the community?
Staffing
Recent prison officer recruitments campaigns have resulted in the appointment of many female officers: the figure was over 70% in the recent recruitment campaign. Male young people tell the Board that there are too many young female officers, some little older than they are. Is there anything that can be done to attract more male officers?
Staffing
About 8% of prison officers leave within the first six months and 12% within the first year. What can be done to reduce this significant loss?
Resettlement/Release
Too many young people continue to be placed further than 50 miles from their home, thus reducing the potential to support family links. Is there anything that can be done to change this?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
What will be done to ensure that the amount of time spent out of room continues to increase and to provide a more predictable regime?
Staffing
A noticeable factor in successful and efficient departments at Wetherby seems to be consistency of staffing. The Board notes that staffing changes at all levels continue to occur frequently. Can the Governor assure the Board that staff changes will be kept to a minimum?
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Board remains concerned about the suitability of placing girls at Wetherby, in their present accommodation. When will a decision be reached regarding their future placement?
Repeated
Response
The IMB at Wetherby has heard nothing further. |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 1 | The Board remains concerned about those young people who are ‘looked after’ by the local authority and consider that they are frequently financially disadvantaged due to late payments or lack of financial support. How can this situation be improved? | Other | |
| 1 | In August 2023, out of a population of 168, 48 were on remand, many of whom will be held in custody for a considerable length of time. There appears to be a dearth of relevant interventions. What initiatives, if any, are being considered to support them? | HMPPS | |
| 1 | What will be done to ensure that the amount of time spent out of room continues to increase and to provide a more predictable regime? | Governor / Director | |
| 2 | Operation Safeguard has meant that an ever-increasing number of 18-year-old+ young men remain at Wetherby until almost 19 years of age. How long is this policy to remain in place? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Although every young person has been released to an address, not all addresses are deemed to be suitable by the social care team. Local authorities have been challenged on this on more than 29 occasions. What can be done to assure young people and the Board that this unsatisfactory situation will be improved? | Other | |
| 2 | For the increasing number of young people serving very lengthy sentences, what can be put in place to make their time in custody relevant and beneficial, whilst also preparing them for eventual reintegration into the community? | HMPPS | |
| 2 | A noticeable factor in successful and efficient departments at Wetherby seems to be consistency of staffing. The Board notes that staffing changes at all levels continue to occur frequently. Can the Governor assure the Board that staff changes will be kept to a minimum? | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | Recent prison officer recruitments campaigns have resulted in the appointment of many female officers: the figure was over 70% in the recent recruitment campaign. Male young people tell the Board that there are too many young female officers, some little older than they are. Is there anything that can be done to attract more male officers? | HMPPS | |
| 4 | About 8% of prison officers leave within the first six months and 12% within the first year. What can be done to reduce this significant loss? | HMPPS | |
| 5 | Too many young people continue to be placed further than 50 miles from their home, thus reducing the potential to support family links. Is there anything that can be done to change this? | HMPPS |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 98 | 61 |
| Bullying / Victimisation | 0 | 0 |
| Care / Treatment | 14 | 13 |
| Chaplaincy / Faith | 2 | 0 |
| Clothing / Property | 46 | 27 |
| Conditions (cleanliness, repairs etc) | 10 | 13 |
| Discipline (adjudications, incentives etc) | 10 | 15 |
| Discrimination / Racial Incident Report | 0 | 0 |
| Education / Library | 29 | 32 |
| Food | 19 | 21 |
| Healthcare / Medical | 15 | 11 |
| Legal | 4 | 1 |
| Money / Pay | 16 | 13 |
| Other | 24 | 20 |
| Programmes / Activities / Work | 12 | 11 |
| Relationships (staff, family, others) | 10 | 8 |
| Release / Resettlement | 13 | 17 |
| Safeguarding / Child Protection | 1 | 1 |
| Separation / Segregation | 18 | 10 |
| Total | 383 | 306 |
| Visits / Telephones | 16 | 12 |
Other reports for Wetherby
Report details
- Establishment
- Wetherby
- Type
- Prison · Cat YOI
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 30 January 2024
- Responsible body
- YOI Wetherby
- Recommendations
- 11
Population
| Population | 168 |
| Operational capacity | 340 |
| Time out of cell | 5.0h/day |
Service providers
Catering
Aramark
Chaplaincy
Diverse multi-faith team
Education
Novus
Escort Contractor
Serco
Facilities Management
Amey
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
IMB Secretariat
MoJ/HMPPS
IT
MoJ
Social Care
Leeds City Council
Youth Custody Service
HMPPS