Key concerns 12 items
Key concerns were extracted from the report text by an AI model.
Key concern 1
Safety
The number of self-inflicted deaths in custody during the reporting period is of concern.
Key concern 2
Safety
There has been an uncommonly high number of incidents, particularly throughout 2022, where doors and gates have been left unsecured by staff, which poses a risk to the security of the establishment.
Key concern 3
Staffing
A significant number of applications received by the IMB are related to the perceived behaviour of staff towards prisoners (e.g., staff being indifferent to their concerns, not responding to requests, speaking to prisoners inappropriately etc.).
Key concern 4
Staffing
IMB members have observed staff members swearing both at prisoners and in general conversation. It does not set a good example to prisoners and falls short of the stated aim of treating people with respect.
Key concern 5
Overcrowding · Repeated from a previous year
Sharing of small cells originally built for one and with limited access to fresh air, where prisoners must eat, sleep and use the toilet facility is both undignified and unhygienic.
Key concern 6
Resettlement/Release
Prisoners who are sentenced to indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPPs) remain in limbo regarding release dates and the ever present concern regarding recall to prison if they are released. They are often bottom of the pile when it comes to undertaking offence related work or educational or vocational training.
Key concern 7
Mental Health
There remain a significant number of men remanded or sentenced to prison with severe mental health issues. Prison staff, who are not trained mental health nurses, deal with these prisoners as best they can but prison is arguably not the right place in which these prisoners should be held. The continuing shortage of mental health places in the community indicates that this problem will not go away.
Key concern 8
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The pressures of the prison population and Operation Safeguard have meant that B wing has reverted to being a mainstream wing. Consequently the plight of short-term prisoners has not improved.
Key concern 9
Estate/Conditions
A big problem in 2022 was that a number of the washers and dryers on the wings were out of use, either needing replacement or new parts.
Key concern 10
Staffing
In respect of key workers, planned sessions may be lost as staff are required to cover other duties due to staff shortages as a result of bed watches, training, leave, sickness, deployment etc.
Key concern 11
Equality/Diversity
It is of concern that some of the lifts and stair lifts for those with restricted mobility or wheelchair users do not function due to breakdown and the unavailability of parts to repair them. Also, a limited number of cells have been adapted for wheelchair users, with issues like narrow doors and floor 'lips'.
Key concern 12
Complaints/Property
Property continues to be a significant issue for prisoners, whether it is in respect of property lost on transfer, property misappropriated by fellow prisoners or misplaced in cell moves, property sent in which does not arrive, property in stored property which cannot be accessed, or compensation claims for property.