Source · IMB Annual Report
Kirkham
Year: 2022
Published: 20 Oct 2023
Type: Prison · Cat D
Population: 470
Recommendations: 7
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Kirkham, a Category D open prison, maintained a population of 470 against a capacity of 699 during 2022. The Board reported low levels of violence and no deaths in custody, commending staff efforts to re-establish a workable regime post-Covid. Key concerns included the persistent transfer of unsuitable prisoners, the urgent need for CCTV and in-cell technology upgrades, and the curtailment of prisoner activities due to staff redeployments. Despite challenges, 100% of prisoners were accommodated on release, and 62% secured employment.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 3 | 3 |
| ACCT cases opened | 5 | 8 |
| Prisoner assaults | 4 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 4 | — |
| Use of force | 3 | — |
| Drug finds | 318 | 279 |
Positive findings
The Board commended the planning and careful implementation of a workable regime post-Covid, supported by positive and proactive staff. HMP Kirkham is considered a safe environment with low levels of violence and a positive approach to resettlement. Improvements were noted in addressing disability review recommendations and implementing an abscond strategy. The Board praised the cohesive SMT, the effective healthcare team, and the pivotal chaplaincy. Positively, 100% of prisoners were accommodated on release, and 62% secured employment post-release.
Key concerns
Safety
Repeated
The continued transfer of prisoners unsuitable for open conditions, leading to an increased number of returns to closed conditions (187 in 2022 vs 149 in 2021) due to drugs and behaviour issues, despite ministers' assurances.
Estate/Conditions
The CCTV system is in need of an urgent upgrade.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The lack of in-cell technology and telephony is a contributing factor to the use of illicit mobile phones and all its ramifications, concerning the use of drugs, debt and bullying.
Staffing
Whilst staffing is at a high level and the number of prisoners remains relatively low, various activities, including gym, C2W and the mail room, have been curtailed due to staff being redeployed to operational duties, such as escorts and checks on potential employers.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The disparity in prisoner pay between outworkers and those working in activities is a cause for concern, leading to discontent among the prisoners.
Estate/Conditions
Improvements need to be made around adding ventilation in the bathrooms to reduce condensation. The showers that have not yet been refurbished need to also take priority. There are still recurring problems with the heating and hot water supplies to some billets.
Healthcare
Waiting time for standard dental check-ups is 21 weeks.
Other
The volume of property received on transfer creates issues, and clearer guidance for property transfers between prisons would be well received to reduce angst amongst prisoners.
Substance Misuse
Drug usage has decreased but is still a concern and an enduring problem across the north-west region in the closed and open estate.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Despite ministers’ assurances over the last five years that the categorisation of prisoners was being correctly implemented, a total of 187 prisoners were returned to closed conditions, mainly due to drugs and behaviour issues. Trust plays a big part in an open prison, and those requiring closer supervision need to be returned to closed conditions. This figure has increased from the previous year (149), despite population numbers remaining low.
Repeated
Response
Intervention by the Secretary of State; The categorisation is being carried out correctly (but this has not solved the issue) |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | While a number of major projects (i.e. new timbers building, new gym and new concept building) have either been completed or are well advanced, the CCTV is in need of an urgent upgrade. | HMPPS | |
| 3 | The lack of in-cell technology and telephony is a contributing factor to the use of illicit mobile phones and all its ramifications, concerning the use of drugs, debt and bullying. Feedback suggests that category D prisons are at the bottom of the list where funding is concerned. Whilst the pressure on budgets is recognised, this is considered a short-sighted approach, as the rollout of in-cell telephony would go a long way to reducing the level of illicit phones and providing a significant and well-received benefit to the prisoners. | HMPPS | |
| 4 | The IMB is concerned that, whilst staffing is at a high level and the number of prisoners remains relatively low, various activities, including gym, C2W and the mail room, have been curtailed due to staff being redeployed to operational duties, such as escorts and checks on potential employers. | Governor / Director | |
| 5 | The disparity in prisoner pay between outworkers and those working in activities is a cause for concern. This is leading to issues within farms and gardens and timbers, resulting in discontent among the prisoners. | Governor / Director | |
| 6 | It is recommended that prisoners are transferred with an overnight bag only, with remaining property delivered the following day or as soon as possible following transfer. | HMPPS | |
| 7 | Improvements need to be made around adding ventilation in the bathrooms to reduce condensation. The showers that have not yet been refurbished need to also take priority. There are still recurring problems with the heating and hot water supplies to some billets. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 1 | 2 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 0 | 0 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives, sanctions | 2 | 0 |
| Equality | 0 | 0 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 2 | 0 |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 0 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 0 | 3 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 1 | 3 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 1 | 0 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 7 | 4 |
| Property within this establishment | 0 | 1 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 2 | 1 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 5 | 7 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 1 | 0 |
| Transfers | 0 | 0 |
Related inspections & investigations
9 Sep 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 2
· Activity 2
· Release 2
Other reports for Kirkham
Report details
- Establishment
- Kirkham
- Type
- Prison · Cat D
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 20 October 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Kirkham
- Recommendations
- 7
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 470 |
| Operational capacity | 699 |
| CNA (designed for) | 699 67% |
Service providers
Banking
HSBC
Dental
Smart Dental Care
Education
Novus
Employment/Benefits Advice
Jobcentre Plus
Employment Support
Achieve Northwest and Connect
Family Support
Partners of Prisoners (POPS)
Healthcare
Spectrum Community Health
Library
Lancashire County Council (LCC)
Mental Health
Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust
Peer Support
Samaritans
Social Care Assessments
Lancashire County Council (LCC)
Social Support
Recoop
Substance Misuse
Spectrum Community Health
Workshops
Recycling Lives