Recommendation 1
Strengthen and enhance legislation to prevent prisoners being segregated for long periods of time, particularly those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Source · IMB Annual Report
Liverpool
AI-generated report summary HMP Liverpool, a Category B local adult male prison, generally provided a safe and humane environment in 2022 despite an old Victorian infrastructure and frequent regime closures due to staffing issues. The Board noted positive staff-prisoner relationships, maintained healthcare services, and satisfactory educational provision. Key concerns persist regarding long segregation periods for mentally ill prisoners, inconsistent main gate security, ongoing property issues during transfers, and insufficient investment for rehabilitation.
Year: 2022
Published: 10 Oct 2023
Type: Prison · Cat B local
Recommendations: 7
Key concerns
Positive findings
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 4 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 347 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 488 | 549 |
| Prisoner assaults | 90 | 91 |
| Assaults on staff | 31 | 43 |
| Use of force | 270 | 286 |
| Drug finds | 117 | — |
Positive findings
AI-generated summaryThe Board noted the positive impact of reduced prisoner association on the overall settled atmosphere. The prison is commended for a 28% reduction in violence against staff. Relationships between staff and prisoners are generally good, and healthcare needs are met with transparent leadership. Educational and vocational provisions are satisfactory, and the work of the POPs team and family contact arrangements are impressive. Resettlement targets are being met and the chaplaincy is commended for their vital service.
Key concerns
Most prisoners only spend a short time in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) however, a few individuals spend in excess of 42 days, mainly those with mental health issues awaiting transfer to specialised facilities.
Security arrangements at the main gate for staff/visitors are not robust and consistent, meaning contraband could enter the prison.
Prisoner property continues to go astray during transportation between establishments, causing distress to prisoners.
Significant investment is needed to fund facilities and staffing levels to improve the job prospects and rehabilitation of prisoners.
Improvement on the uptake and activation of body worn video cameras is a repeated concern of the board, as usage is not consistent.
Mandatory Drug Testing within the prison has not been given sufficient attention throughout the year, with inconsistent staffing and lack of action on positive results.
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
The prison will need significant investment to fund facilities and staffing levels which can improve the job prospects and rehabilitation of prisoners. For the prison to develop the capacity as a model Category C prison, a comprehensive plan to engage partners and fund training will be essential.
Recommendation 3
Prisoner property continues to go astray during transportation between establishments. Better communication and clear lines of accountability need to be in place to help resolve issues quickly and efficiently and reduce the distress caused to prisoners.
Recommendation 4
Develop policy to improve overall sickness and absence rates of prison officers to reduce the level of curtailed activities and programmes across the prison service in supporting better rehabilitation of offenders.
Recommendation 5
Develop a consistent approach to security arrangements at main gate.
Recommendation 6
Continue to insist on the usage of body warn camera by all on duty officers.
Recommendation 7
Deploy consistent levels of staffing to the Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) programme.
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 45 | 38 |
| C&R (Care and Rehabilitation) | 37 | 42 |
| Custody (including staffing levels and time out of cell) | 49 | 37 |
| Equality | 13 | 7 |
| Healthcare | 14 | 26 |
| Other | 16 | 21 |
| Personal finance and employment | 16 | 12 |
| Property | 35 | 54 |
| Security and safety | 23 | 19 |
| Total | 261 | 269 |
| Visits | 13 | 13 |
Related inspections & investigations
Safety 2
· Respect 3
· Activity 1
· Release 3
Brian Holland · Natural causes
Nathan Byrnes · Self-inflicted
Michael Lunt · Self-inflicted
Mark Lilliott · State Custody related deaths; Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Damion Anthony Andre Martin · State Custody Death
Other reports for Liverpool
· Concerns
Population 830
· Self-harm 557
· Concerns
· Self-harm 400
· Concerns
Population 800
· Concerns
Population 800
· Self-harm 315
· Concerns