Recommendations 17 items · 10 repeated
Recommendations were extracted from the report by AI, and responses and their status from the ministerial response by AI. Each recommendation shows whether its wording has been checked against the report.
Addressee: Ministry of Justice · Topic: Resettlement
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Indeterminate sentences for Public Protection (IPPs) were abolished in 2012 with the government stating that they were “not defensible”. However, the change did not apply to prisoners who were already serving IPP sentences, and this left them in limbo with little hope of release. The Board are concerned that the Government has rejected the call from the Justice Select Committee to resentence IPP prisoners and reduce the licence period from 10 to five years. This is neither decent nor humane and the Board would urge the Minister to review the department’s response to the Justice Select Committee’s report.
Addressee: Ministry of Justice · Topic: Staffing · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board remains concerned about the retention and recruitment of staff. 29 experienced officers from Swaleside were recruited directly by the Border Agency during the year and numbers were also lost to the police and civil service. These other agencies offer better employment terms than HMPPS for all levels and grades of staff. The result is that Swaleside has been compelled to hire expensive agency staff and transfer in detached duty officers from other prisons on higher pay and bonuses, as well as paying their hotel bills. Some detached staff do not seem to have the same level of commitment to supporting and engaging with prisoners as local staff. The prison also has to encourage officers to work long hours of overtime. In the Board’s view it is a false economy to maintain such a sharp differential between the terms and conditions of HMPPS staff and those of other agencies.
Government response (as published)
Although some progress in recruitment has been noted, there has been a continued outflow of staff which has more than offset any benefit and a continued reliance on detached duty staff. The situation has recently improved by the transfer out of prisoners allowing the closure of two wings. This change has resulted from the action taken following the enquiry into excessive deaths in custody.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Estate · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The refurbishment of showers throughout the establishment should be completed, with necessary funding provided. The identified faults with recently installed showers should be remedied as a matter of urgency.
Government response (as published)
Showers, even recently refurbished showers, continue to evidence problems relating to poor drainage and lack of ventilation.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Safety · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board shares the concerns expressed by the SLT that there have again been deaths in custody during the year. A thorough investigation is being conducted by the LTHSE into the causes. However, a national investigation is perhaps required to establish either commonality of cause irrespective of prison type and to highlight specific issues relating to particular establishments.
Government response (as published)
A thorough investigation involving senior LTHSE staff from all relevant disciplines has taken place over the past year. This has resulted in several practice changes and, as noted above, a real reduction in Operational Capacity allowing better use of staff.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Segregation · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The length of time spent in CSRU by a number of prisoners remains far too long and far exceeds normal recommendations. An effective means of reducing this time should be sought as a matter of urgency.
Government response (as published)
No change in this has been noted, although there is an occasional success in moving prisoners between establishments. However, this often results in a move from one CSRU to another.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Regime · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board remains concerned about the impact of the recently introduced Offender Flow and Allocation system. Swaleside is a category B trainer in the LTHSE but is now receiving younger prisoners with shorter sentences. This is detrimental to the stability of the prison and the well-being of older, longer sentenced prisoners. The change should be re-examined and the benefit examined against its detrimental impact.
Government response (as published)
The change to the Offender Flow System continues to cause problems. It is conceivable that the recent transfer out of mainly Cat C and Cat D prisoners will improve the situation. Hopefully this will allow the key role of the establishment in dealing with longer term B Cat prisoners but this remains to be confirmed.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Food · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The continued reliance of HMP Standford Hill on the kitchen at Swaleside for the preparation of its food continues to cause major issues, as has been stated for several years. The stalled installation of kitchens at HMP Standford Hill should be restarted urgently and be completed without further delay.
Government response (as published)
There has been no change to this situation which continues to require urgent consideration.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Staffing · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board has raised before the inadequacy of basic apprentice officer training and believes that training must at least result in them knowing what to expect when they arrive at their establishment. Support for new officers has improved considerably at Swaleside, especially with the introduction of the mentoring system. However, this is no substitute for proper basic training.
Government response (as published)
Whilst there has been little change in the basic training provided to new recruits, within the establishment there is a much improved support network in place. This approach provides a ‘buddying’ system and the availability of experienced staff to provide help and encouragement.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Equality · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The inequality of opportunity for prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCOSOs) and vulnerable prisoners still needs to be addressed, despite progress made in that direction.
Government response (as published)
There has been a concentration of available work (especially DHL Canteen) for the PCOSOs but little other change to available support.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Mental Health · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board remains concerned regarding the mental health of prisoners who have suffered long-term lockdown. This is evidenced by the high number of ACCT cases, self-harm cases and violent incidents. The first indications from the recent improvement in regime are positive. However, the necessity for increased psychology and psychiatric services still needs to be assessed.
Government response (as published)
This situation continued to deteriorate in the early part of the year, due to the regime restrictions. Recent improvements to allow more time for work and education may improve this situation. A meaningful reduction in self-harm has been noted.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Estate · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) has improved the rate at which out-of-action cells are brought back into use. However, far too many cells remain unusable.
Government response (as published)
GFSL are aware of the urgency to bring damaged cells back into use and the situation has improved.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Staffing
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Keywork has been a major casualty of staff shortages and is currently restricted to only the most vulnerable prisoners. As the regime improves, the Board would urge the Governor to extend Keywork to all prisoners as a matter of urgency and encourage wing staff to engage more with prisoners.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Regime
Recommendation (the Board's words)
As the regime gradually improves with the implementation of the Core Day programme, the Board would urge the Governor to ensure that more prisoners are provided with meaningful work and education in line with their sentence plans.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Resettlement
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board remains very concerned at the situation of IPP prisoners. Courses and programmes should be made available to them so that they can have the opportunity to demonstrate that they are no longer a danger to the public.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Resettlement
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Employability Hub is not yet functioning as it should. New prisoners are not receiving appropriate induction and the Board is very concerned that prisoners are being released from prison without proper support.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Safety
Recommendation (the Board's words)
We are pleased to note that in-cell technology has now been installed throughout the prison. This is bringing improvements for prisoners and for the operation of the prison. However, the Board is concerned by the abuse of the technology by some prisoners.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Equality
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Facilities for female officers are inadequate and it is not acceptable that they have to share locker rooms with male staff. This needs to be addressed, especially as there are now many female officers working in the prison.