Source · IMB Annual Report
New Hall
Year: 2023
Published: 3 Nov 2023
Type: Prison · Cat Women's, YOI
Population: 335
Recommendations: 5
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP/YOI New Hall reported a population of 335 and an operational capacity of 381 for the year ending February 2023. The prison saw a significant reduction in self-harm incidents (609, down from 965) and use of force, alongside a good HMIP report and positive staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include underfunded trainee officer allocations, slow recruitment checks, the need to address OFSTED recommendations, and frustrating waiting lists for prisoner jobs.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 609 | 965 |
| ACCT cases opened | 358 | 442 |
| Prisoner assaults | 53 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 82 | — |
| Use of force | 311 | 359 |
Positive findings
The Board noted an overall good HMIP report and positive changes within the senior management team, leading to new initiatives. Excellent work on the first night centre, successful HOPE project, and the positive impact of in-cell technology were highlighted. Staff-prisoner relationships were very good, and new healthcare education programmes were well received. The prison also initiated a Literacy Innovation Fund project and effectively reduced illicit substances through intelligence-led searches.
Key concerns
Other
Funding to enable a “drop down” spends allowance for a prisoner, which takes into account the rising cost of living.
Staffing
There are concerns over the number of new trainee officers allocated to the prison, which are not funded and above the staffing requirements resulting in prison being subject to detached duty.
Staffing
Speedier security and background checks for new recruits to enable them to come into the prison within an appropriate time from initial offer.
Education/Purposeful Activity
A strategy to meet the OFSTED recommendations following a disappointing inspection.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
There is a waiting list for most jobs within the prison. This causes frustration for prisoners who want to work.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funding to enable a “drop down” spends allowance for a prisoner, which takes into account the rising cost of living. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | There are concerns over the number of new trainee officers allocated to the prison, which are not funded and above the staffing requirements resulting in prison being subject to detached duty. | HMPPS | |
| 3 | Speedier security and background checks for new recruits to enable them to come into the prison within an appropriate time from initial offer. | HMPPS | |
| 4 | A strategy to meet the OFSTED recommendations following a disappointing inspection. | Governor / Director | |
| 5 | There is a waiting list for most jobs within the prison. This causes frustration for prisoners who want to work. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 7 | 11 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 1 | 2 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 5 | 4 |
| Equality | 4 | 2 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 5 | 7 |
| Food and kitchens | 2 | 1 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 28 | 23 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 12 | 13 |
| Miscellaneous | 10 | 8 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 4 | 3 |
| Property within the establishment | 6 | 4 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 9 | 12 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 4 | 95 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 10 | 11 |
| Transfers | 2 | 2 |
Related inspections & investigations
Other reports for New Hall
Report details
- Establishment
- New Hall
- Type
- Prison · Cat Women's, YOI
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 3 November 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP New Hall
- Recommendations
- 5
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 335 |
| Operational capacity | 381 |
Service providers
Drug Treatment
Care UK
Education
Novus and IAG
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Library Services
Novus
Mental Health Service
Practice Plus Group
Sexual assault and domestic abuse support
TWP