Source · IMB Annual Report
Kirklevington Grange
Year: 2022
Published: 22 Jun 2023
Type: Prison · Cat D open prison, YOI
Population: 207
Recommendations: 4
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange is a well-run Category D open prison providing a safe and humane environment with high standards of healthcare and strong staff-prisoner relationships. The IMB noted significant efforts in preparing prisoners for resettlement, including good access to work and education, contributing to low complaint levels. Key challenges include delays in new accommodation block construction, persistent issues with property transfers between prisons, and addressing the poor literacy skills of some incoming prisoners.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | 1 |
| Self-harm incidents | 4 | 2 |
| ACCT cases opened | 10 | 13 |
| Prisoner assaults | 3 | 8 |
| Assaults on staff | 0 | 1 |
| Use of force | 2 | 4 |
| Drug finds | 489 | 312 |
Positive findings
The IMB consistently found Kirklevington Grange to be a well-run establishment, providing a safe, fair, and humane environment for prisoners. Healthcare services, including dental and mental health support, were of a high standard with minimal waiting times. Staff-prisoner relationships were strong, and significant investment was made in facilities and grounds. The prison also demonstrated a clear focus on supporting prisoners towards successful resettlement, evidenced by good outcomes in community work and a reduction in complaints.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
There is still no definite date for the construction of the three new accommodation blocks to commence. The current capacity at Kirklevington Grange remains below optimal level without these new blocks.
Estate/Conditions
There is still no definite date for the construction of the three new accommodation blocks to commence. The current capacity at Kirklevington Grange remains below optimal level without these new blocks.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
There are still issues with property when prisoners move between prisons, especially when moving from privately run establishments to Kirklevington. It is unsettling when prisoners experience long delays in receiving their belongings and in too many cases property is lost in transit between prisons.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
There are still issues with property when prisoners move between prisons, especially when moving from privately run establishments to Kirklevington. It is unsettling when prisoners experience long delays in receiving their belongings and in too many cases property is lost in transit between prisons.
Estate/Conditions
Although the showers and toilets in F and A,B, and C units have been overhauled, they remain slightly shabby, and the showers are very narrow and cramped.
Education/Purposeful Activity
One issue for education staff was the number of men arriving with very poor literacy/numeracy skills. In September, 59 prisoners were assessed as having a literacy level of E3 or below (operating at a level expected of a 9-11-year-old). This would be expected to have been addressed earlier in their prison sentence. Only 0.6 tutor provision was available and no additional funding.
Estate/Conditions
There has been a persistent issue with bedbugs, with a small number of rooms affected at any one time.
Estate/Conditions
Although the showers and toilets in F and A,B, and C units have been overhauled, they remain slightly shabby, and the showers are very narrow and cramped.
Food/Catering
Problems with the organisation contracted to supply food to the prison have seen it failing to deliver basic food items ordered, such as tuna and rice. This has caused some dissatisfaction.
Food/Catering
Problems with the organisation contracted to supply food to the prison have seen it failing to deliver basic food items ordered, such as tuna and rice. This has caused some dissatisfaction and the prison is exploring several different options to resolve this problem.
Education/Purposeful Activity
One issue for education staff was the number of men arriving with very poor literacy/numeracy skills. In September, 59 prisoners were assessed as having a literacy level of E3 or below (operating at a level expected of a 9-11-year-old). This would be expected to have been addressed earlier in their prison sentence. Only 0.6 tutor provision was available and no additional funding.
Resettlement/Release
The review of indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) brought several informal requests to the IMB for information from prisoners unable to understand the changes. There was little clear information to impart.
Equality/Diversity
Kirklevington Grange still cannot accept some prisoners with severe physical disabilities or wheelchair users given the layout of the prison.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There is still no definite date for the construction of the three new accommodation blocks to commence. The current capacity at Kirklevington Grange remains below optimal level without these new blocks. Some indication of progress would be welcome. | Other | |
| 2 | There are still issues with property when prisoners move between prisons, especially when moving from privately run establishments to Kirklevington. This does not only apply to Kirklevington, as it is a point of discussion between IMB chairs. It is unsettling when prisoners experience long delays in receiving their belongings and in too many cases property is lost in transit between prisons. | HMPPS | |
| 3 | There is still no definite date for the construction of the three new accommodation blocks to commence. The current capacity at Kirklevington Grange remains below optimal level without these new blocks. Some indication of progress would be welcome. Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | There are still issues with property when prisoners move between prisons, especially when moving from privately run establishments to Kirklevington. This does not only apply to Kirklevington, as it is a point of discussion between IMB chairs. It is unsettling when prisoners experience long delays in receiving their belongings and in too many cases property is lost in transit between prisons. Repeated | HMPPS |
Related inspections & investigations
2 Sep 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 4
· Activity 4
· Release 4
Other reports for Kirklevington Grange
Report details
- Establishment
- Kirklevington Grange
- Type
- Prison · Cat D open prison, YOI
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 22 June 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Kirklevington Grange
- Recommendations
- 4
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 207 |
| Operational capacity | 207 |
Service providers
AAA Screening
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Counselling
Mind
Dentistry
Hardwick Dental Practice
Diabetic Eye Screening
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Education
Novus
Healthcare
Spectrum Community CIC
Mental Health
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Non-clinical DART
Humankind
Optician
Henderson Opticians
Physiotherapy
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Podiatry
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Psychological Interventions
Rethink Mental Illness
Sport/Community Engagement
Middlesbrough Football Club (MFC) Foundation
Visitors Centre/Shop
NEPACS