Recommendations 14 items · 6 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: Other, minister · Topic: Mental Health · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board continues to believe that prison is not an appropriate place to rehabilitate traumatised individuals and that prisoners with severe mental health issues should be accommodated in secure mental health units.
Government response (as published)
The Mental Health Bill of June 2022 seeks to improve the support for people with acute mental health needs, including those who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The Bill includes the provision to introduce a statutory limit of 28 days for transfers to hospital. The Bill also includes reforms to end the use of prison as a place of safety.
Addressee: Other, minister · Topic: Resettlement · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board noted the Justice Committee recommendation, of September 2022, that a re-sentencing exercise is the only way to address the injustice of IPP sentences and found the response of the Government in rejecting this recommendation in February 2023 disappointing.
Government response (as published)
At HMP Send the Women’s Estate Psychology Service (WEPS) works closely with OMU and others to provide a proactive risk assessment in response to the parole process for IPP women.The IPP prisoner mentioned in the annual report has now progressed from HMP Send to an open prison.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Regime · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The continuing failure to roll out digital technology to Send is unacceptable and amounts to unfair treatment for prisoners at Send.
Government response (as published)
The prioritisation of prisons is being carefully considered balancing available funds and greatest need. It is also recognised that there have been delays in mobilising IT for prisoners to use due to security concerns and alternatives are being trialled.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Staffing · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The shortage of probation officers, both at Send – where four of the six full-time equivalent probation officer posts are currently vacant – and in the community, has had a damaging effect on prisoners’ progression and prospects for successful reintegration into society.
Government response (as published)
Recruitment marketing campaigns are being used on a variety of channels to attract candidates.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Staffing
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The OMiC model cannot be implemented successfully with current staffing issues.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Other
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The delays and losses of property on transfer from one prison to another need coordinated action by the whole female prison estate and the contracted transfer service providers.
Addressee: HMPPS · Topic: Equality
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Some prisoners identify plaiting/braiding as an important part of racial identity, yet this hairdressing module is not offered under the current education curriculum.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Safety
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board would like to see an improvement in the number and timeliness of use of force (UoF) debriefs.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Staffing
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board is concerned about the impact of prison staffing issues on delivering regular keywork as intended in the OMiC model.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Equality · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The overall impression of the Board is that the management of discrimination incident report forms (DIRFs) is disorganised. Furthermore, there is no longer an independent scrutiny of DIRFs.
Government response (as published)
7.This has not taken place during the reporting year
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Resettlement
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board would like to see an increase in the number and diversity of prisoners accessing ROTL.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Equality
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Hair and beauty/skincare have been raised in applications by black, Asian and minority ethnic prisoners who complain that there is inadequate provision of suitable products for them on canteen.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Education · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board would like to see more prisoners engaged in education.
Government response (as published)
1. Education was seen as a priority.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Education
Recommendation (the Board's words)
The Board would like to see the teaching of beauty resumed.