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?