Source · IMB Annual Report
Erlestoke
Year: 2023
Published: 16 Aug 2023
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 467
Recommendations: 17
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Erlestoke, a Category C training prison, held 467 prisoners with an operational capacity of 468 during the reporting year ending March 2023. The prison experienced a reduction in self-harm incidents to 215 and violent incidents to 102 (65 prisoner-on-prisoner, 37 prisoner-on-staff), with no deaths in custody. Key improvements included enhanced gate security and the introduction of in-cell laptops for prisoners. However, significant challenges persist, notably chronic staff shortages across healthcare, education, and key working, persistent issues with illicit substances, and an inadequate constant watch cell. Delays in essential building works and national issues like parole restrictions for IPP prisoners continue to impede progression and resettlement efforts.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 215 | 358 |
| ACCT cases opened | 128 | 241 |
| Prisoner assaults | 65 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 37 | — |
| Use of force | 240 | 330 |
Positive findings
The Board observes that prisoners remain relatively safe, with a decrease in both violent incidents and self-harm. Improved security measures, including metal detection arches and x-ray scanning, have been a positive addition. The introduction of in-cell telephones and laptops has significantly enhanced prisoners' lives, aiding communication and access to services. The Employment Hub is well-established, offering practical help and job opportunities to those nearing release. Chaplaincy provides a high standard of faith and pastoral support, easily accessible via laptops. The digital team and various art and music programs provide welcome distraction and skills development, contributing positively to prisoners' wellbeing.
Key concerns
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
What solutions can be offered to prisoners who have done everything possible to prove eligibility to move to open prisons but who are now being denied this due to a more restrictive approach to parole?
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
What hope can be given to IPP prisoners, some 10% of Erlestoke’s population, now that the recommendation by the Justice Committee for resentencing has been rejected?
Mental Health
Repeated
What long term strategy is in place to address the chronic shortage of suitable mental health provision?
Food/Catering
Repeated
When will the non-pay budget be increased to allow the local governor to set a sensible and realistic food budget (despite the slight rise in April 2023), given that food prices have risen more than 20% over the past three years?
Estate/Conditions
How will the lack of a long-term maintenance plan and GFSL’s performance be addressed?
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
What reassurance can be given that the revised dates for occupation of the replacement wings will not be delayed yet again, thus impacting the delivery of the PR?
Healthcare
Repeated
What action is being taken to ensure that additional healthcare facilities and staff will be provided when the prison’s operational capacity increases?
Substance Misuse
What additional long term strategies can be put in place to substantially reduce access to illicit substances?
Safety
What immediate actions will be taken to address the inadequate and potentially dangerously deficient constant watch cell?
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
What steps will be taken to increase the number of meaningful job opportunities for prisoners?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
What plans are in place to increase time out of cell at weekends?
Estate/Conditions
What actions will be taken to improve first night accommodation?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
What steps will be taken to make the induction programme more concise?
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
How will the lack of suitably adapted cells for disabled people be addressed?
Healthcare
Repeated
Over 40% of first assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) reviews do not have the benefit of healthcare input, which impacts on the safety of prisoners – how will this issue be addressed?
Healthcare
Repeated
What is the solution to improve the IT infrastructure so medical records can be accessed by healthcare staff across the estate to ensure prisoners are not put at risk?
Mental Health
What plans are in place to recruit additional staff to the mental health team?
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
What solutions can be offered to prisoners who have done everything possible to prove eligibility to move to open prisons but who are now being denied this due to a more restrictive approach to parole?
Repeated
Response
Minister: Additional 660 category D places to be created. 89% of category D moves from Erlestoke. |
Other | |
| 2 |
What hope can be given to IPP prisoners, some 10% of Erlestoke’s population, now that the recommendation by the Justice Committee for resentencing has been rejected?
Repeated
Response
Minister: Commitment to IPP Action Plan. Refurbished Kennet wing to offer more places on the Progression Regime. |
Other | |
| 3 |
What long term strategy is in place to address the chronic shortage of suitable mental health provision?
Repeated
Response
Minister: NHS England working to 28-day timeline for transfers. |
Other | |
| 4 |
When will the non-pay budget be increased to allow the local governor to set a sensible and realistic food budget (despite the slight rise in April 2023), given that food prices have risen more than 20% over the past three years?
Repeated
Response
Minister: Budget delegated to Governors; sufficient to meet prison rules. |
Other | |
| 5 | How will the lack of a long-term maintenance plan and GFSL’s performance be addressed? | HMPPS | |
| 6 |
What reassurance can be given that the revised dates for occupation of the replacement wings will not be delayed yet again, thus impacting the delivery of the PR?
Repeated
Response
HMPPS: Completion of Kennet by 31 December 2022; no mention of date for Avebury Unit. |
HMPPS | |
| 7 |
What action is being taken to ensure that additional healthcare facilities and staff will be provided when the prison’s operational capacity increases?
Repeated
Response
HMPPS: Population only increasing by 10 so infrastructure can cope. |
HMPPS | |
| 8 | What additional long term strategies can be put in place to substantially reduce access to illicit substances? | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | What immediate actions will be taken to address the inadequate and potentially dangerously deficient constant watch cell? | Governor / Director | |
| 10 |
What steps will be taken to increase the number of meaningful job opportunities for prisoners?
Repeated
Response
Governor: Action noted |
Governor / Director | |
| 11 | What plans are in place to increase time out of cell at weekends? | Governor / Director | |
| 12 | What actions will be taken to improve first night accommodation? | Governor / Director | |
| 13 | What steps will be taken to make the induction programme more concise? | Governor / Director | |
| 14 |
How will the lack of suitably adapted cells for disabled people be addressed?
Repeated
Response
Governor: Action noted |
Governor / Director | |
| 15 |
Over 40% of first assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) reviews do not have the benefit of healthcare input, which impacts on the safety of prisoners – how will this issue be addressed?
Repeated
Response
HMPPS: Healthcare attends if not out of hours; SMT to monitor at performance meetings. |
Governor / Director | |
| 16 |
What is the solution to improve the IT infrastructure so medical records can be accessed by healthcare staff across the estate to ensure prisoners are not put at risk?
Repeated
Response
HMPPS: Fibre optic connection in May 2022; IT connections in Reception from October 2022 |
Governor / Director | |
| 17 | What plans are in place to recruit additional staff to the mental health team? | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 45 | 38 |
| Adjudications | 1 | 1 |
| Discrimination | 2 | 2 |
| Food | 2 | 4 |
| Healthcare (including dental) | 10 | 12 |
| Other | 35 | 31 |
| Property | 13 | 14 |
| Total | 111 | 107 |
| Work/Activities/Education | 3 | 5 |
Related inspections & investigations
10 Jun 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 2
· Respect 2
· Activity 1
· Release 3
Other reports for Erlestoke
Report details
- Establishment
- Erlestoke
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 16 August 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Erlestoke
- Recommendations
- 17
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Population | 467 |
| Operational capacity | 468 |
Service providers
Education
Milton Keynes College
Escort contractors
Serco
Primary healthcare
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (until 30 September 2022)
Site maintenance
Government Facilities Services Limited (GFSL)