Source · IMB Annual Report
Berwyn
Year: 2023
Published: 9 Aug 2023
Type: Prison · Cat B, C, Reception, Remand
Population: 1,823
Recommendations: 7
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Berwyn faced staffing shortages and a more challenging prisoner cohort, impacting regimes and increasing violence in early 2023, despite overall reductions in self-harm and staff assaults. The Board noted positive staff-prisoner relationships, comprehensive resettlement services, and strong education/work provisions. However, significant concerns remain regarding healthcare (medication restrictions, mental health transfers, appointment attendance), estate maintenance, and the need for improved staff training and activity for vulnerable groups.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 3 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 941 | 1,622 |
| ACCT cases opened | 578 | 811 |
| Prisoner assaults | 356 | 376 |
| Assaults on staff | 109 | 216 |
Positive findings
The Board observed positive relationships between staff and prisoners. Resettlement services are comprehensive, with numerous accredited education and training courses and a hub providing advice. 33.7% of eligible prisoners were in employment six weeks post-release, exceeding the national benchmark. Accommodation is spacious, light, and clean, and the CSU unit is well-managed. HMP Berwyn is assessed as a leading education and work provider, significantly reducing the OASys backlog. Most prisoners leaving were optimistic about their future.
Key concerns
Healthcare
Prisoners from England are not allowed to access medication which has not been approved by Betsi Cadwaladr, causing distress, particularly for mental health issues.
Mental Health
The Board is concerned about the waiting times for seriously mentally unwell prisoners to be transferred to secure psychiatric hospitals, due to a lack of beds.
Safety
Out of area transfers cause difficulties for prisoners (far from their families) and for the prison (difficult to locate and house complex prisoners, contributing to increased violence).
Staffing
Repeated
There is a need for staff training on recognising and dealing with dementia and other age-related needs as the prison population ages.
Healthcare
Measures are needed to improve attendance at medical appointments, as DNA and CNA rates continue to rise.
Complaints/Property
The Board is concerned about the number of adjudications which cannot continue because paperwork has not been correctly completed.
Education/Purposeful Activity
More programmes are needed for people with learning difficulties, as too few are accessing support.
Estate/Conditions
Legacy issues with the heating system and peeling plaster in cells persist, and laundry machine repairs can take up to eight weeks.
Safety
Post-incident debriefs and use of force documentation are not always fully completed or on time.
Substance Misuse
High expectations for the new drug recovery wing have not yet been met, and some initiatives are taking time to function effectively.
Resettlement/Release
IPP prisoners express concerns regarding the lack of milestones and the impact of negative entries for minor misdemeanours on their sentence progression.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Attendance at work/education, especially morning sessions, remains a concern, with approximately 60% attending morning sessions versus 80% in the afternoon.
Staffing
Shortages of operational staff and probation officers, and the OMU and complaints department remaining seriously understaffed, lead to restricted regimes and overdue complaints.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prisoners from England are not allowed to access medication which has not been approved by Betsi Cadwaladr (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board), the local healthcare provider. Regarding medication for mental health issues in particular, this causes distress. | HMPPS | |
| 2 | The Board is concerned about the waiting times for seriously mentally unwell prisoners to be transferred to secure psychiatric hospitals, due to a lack of beds. | HMPPS | |
| 3 | The Board is concerned that out of area transfers cause difficulties for prisoners, who are far from their families, and for the prison, particularly because these prisoners are not known to the prison. This huge increase in prisoner churn makes it difficult to locate many prisoners safely, especially those who are not part of the regular prison population cohort. | HMPPS | |
| 4 |
As the prison population ages, we would like to see training for staff on recognising and dealing with dementia and other age-related needs.
Repeated
Response
Detailed neurodiversity guidance has been issued. A wing for older prisoners has been opened. A support group, the Cameo group, and the wing for older prisoners appear to be functioning well. As there are many recently recruited staff members, they will take time to adjust to the needs of older prisoners. |
Governor / Director | |
| 5 | The Board would like to see measures to improve attendance at medical appointments. | Governor / Director | |
| 6 | The Board is concerned about the number of adjudications which cannot continue because paperwork has not been correctly completed. | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | The Board would like to see more programmes for people with learning difficulties. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 44 | 54 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 17 | 6 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 14 | 28 |
| Equality | 10 | 10 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 13 | 19 |
| Food and kitchens | 8 | 5 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 43 | 110 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 64 | 48 |
| Miscellaneous | 43 | 97 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 32 | 28 |
| Property within the establishment | 59 | 60 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 20 | 22 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 57 | 96 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 78 | 72 |
| Transfers | 50 | 34 |
Related inspections & investigations
27 Jan 2025
HMIP · Unannounced
5 Nov 2025
PFD
Matthew Singh Prevention of future deaths report · State Custody related deaths | Wales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
3 Dec 2019
PFD
Luke Jones · Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths; State Custody related deaths; Wales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
Other reports for Berwyn
Report details
- Establishment
- Berwyn
- Type
- Prison · Cat B, C, Reception, Remand
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 9 August 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Berwyn
- Recommendations
- 7
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Population | 1,823 |
| Operational capacity | 2,000 |
Service providers
Education
Novus Cambria
Healthcare
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Visits
Barnardo's