Source · IMB Annual Report
Warren Hill
Year: 2023
Published: 1 Nov 2023
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 240
Recommendations: 4
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Warren Hill, a Category C adult male prison with an operational capacity of 267, maintained a safe environment despite some low-level bullying. The Board noted improved use of safety interventions (CSIPs, ACCTs) and zero deaths in custody. Key challenges included persistent issues with food provision, the suspension of the ROTL pilot, and delays in progression caused by Secretary of State interventions. The IMB made recommendations regarding food quality, estate investment, digital skills for resettlement, and urges review of the ROTL suspension.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 11 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 28 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 1 | — |
| Use of force | 11 | — |
| Drug finds | 7 | — |
Positive findings
Warren Hill is a prison that feels safe for both prisoners and staff. The IMB is pleased to report an increase in the use of CSIPs and ACCTs, demonstrating staff training has been beneficial. Prisoners are involved in decision-making and have attendance at many formal meetings. The standard of healthcare provision is generally like that in the community. Success at parole hearings continues to be high. The on-site approved premises are welcomed and beneficial for prisoners. The IMB commends the prison's commitment to the Enabling Environment accreditation and notes the impressive skill of prisoners working with raptors.
Key concerns
Food/Catering
Repeated
Ongoing concerns about the provision and quality of food provided by the Hollesley Bay kitchen.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The recent decision to suspend the ROTL pilot.
Other
Repeated
The transfer of prisoners’ property is still a major concern for the prisoners themselves and causes a lot of administrative hassle.
Estate/Conditions
There are some areas of the prison where further investment is required and although work is currently underway on one of the shower blocks there still remains much outstanding work.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The IMB would like to see further development in resettlement support, including the use of digital technologies which are so critical to successful functioning in the modern world.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Staff shortages continued to affect People Plus, the education provider, which in turn has impacted on the learners at Warren Hill. The IMB are disappointed that People Plus and the prison are still bound by a restrictive contracts process.
Resettlement/Release
The intervention (as of May 2023) by the Secretary of State to delay and in some cases prevent movement to category D conditions or to release following successful parole hearings, which has had a serious impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many prisoners affected.
Healthcare
There are discrepancies between local authorities when it comes to the funding of social care. Prisoners who come to the prison from, for example, Norfolk are unable to bring equipment with them, and funds and equipment must be reapplied for from Suffolk. This takes time and there is some evidence that Suffolk County Council has been unable to make funds available.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Prisoners have expressed dissatisfaction about pay levels, which are fixed by Warren Hill but appear to be inconsistent across the prison estate. Discontent is further fuelled by the effect of the increasing costs of items they wish to purchase.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Board urges that the recent decision to suspend the ROTL pilot be reviewed. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | In light of ongoing concerns about the provision of food from the Hollesley Bay kitchen, the Board asks again that consideration be given to reinstating the kitchens at Warren Hill. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 3 | Warren Hill is well maintained although there are some areas of the prison where further investment is required and although work is currently underway on one of the shower blocks there still remains much outstanding work. | HMPPS | |
| 4 | The prison has prioritised the need to ensure support for prisoners on release in order to reduce the recall rate. The IMB would like to see further development in this area, including the use of digital technologies which are so critical to successful functioning in the modern world. Repeated | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 0 | 1 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 0 | 0 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 1 | 0 |
| Equality | 1 | 0 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 0 | 0 |
| Food and kitchens | 3 | 6 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 13 | 3 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 3 | 4 |
| Miscellaneous | 6 | 0 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 5 | 6 |
| Property within the establishment | 3 | 0 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 2 | 4 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 1 | 5 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 6 | 1 |
| Transfers | 0 | 1 |
Related inspections & investigations
Other reports for Warren Hill
Report details
- Establishment
- Warren Hill
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 1 November 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Warren Hill
- Recommendations
- 4
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 240 |
| Operational capacity | 267 |
| Time out of cell | 11.8h/day |
Service providers
Careers Advice and Guidance
The Forward Trust
Education
People Plus
Emotional Support
Samaritans
Employment Hub Funding/Support
New Futures Network
Family Support
Ormiston Families
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
The Forward Trust
Reading Support
Shannon Trust
Substance Abuse Support
Phoenix Futures