Source · IMB Annual Report
High Down
Year: 2022
Published: 14 Jun 2023
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 1,090
Recommendations: 9
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP High Down transitioned to a Category C training and resettlement prison in 2022, implementing gradual regime changes that have positively impacted prisoner life, including improved time out of cell and new community units. The Board noted reductions in self-harm and assaults, and commended improvements in induction and the visits hall. However, significant concerns remain regarding the welfare of IPP prisoners, long delays in transferring mentally unwell individuals, and a high proportion of prisoners leaving without settled accommodation. Persistent issues with lost property, inconsistent key work, and a lack of high-quality employment opportunities continue to hinder effective resettlement and overall humane treatment.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 721 | 800 |
| ACCT cases opened | 456 | 686 |
| Prisoner assaults | 157 | 182 |
| Assaults on staff | 85 | 97 |
| Use of force | 525 | 592 |
| Drug finds | 236 | — |
Positive findings
The Board commends a reduction in self-harm and assaults, along with improved planning for prisoner mixing post-freeflow. Time out of cell has increased, and evening association has been positively received, as has the introduction of a prisoner council. There has been progress in DIRF reporting and improved induction. The successful launch of an Incentivised Substance Free Living unit and a community living unit for lifers/IPP prisoners is welcomed. Improvements to the visits hall, including murals and children's play areas, have also been praised, alongside efforts by staff and security. The Offender Management Unit's completion of over 600 OASys documents and the positive employment outcomes from the DHL project are also highlighted.
Key concerns
Resettlement/Release
The problem of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPPs) and the lack of additional support for their reintegration.
Mental Health
Significant delays in the assessment and transfer of prisoners requiring outside secure mental health units.
Resettlement/Release
The lack of adequate accommodation for prisoners upon release, making successful resettlement difficult.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Continued issues with missing and lost property during transfers and cell moves, causing unnecessary anxiety and distress.
Food/Catering
Unresolved issues with the supply of canteen items and timely refunds for prisoners.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
The lack of high-quality employment and training available to men, with many in part-time work that does not adequately prepare them for release.
Equality/Diversity
The disproportionate application of the incentives scheme, particularly its discriminatory impact on black prisoners, and the need for more positive behaviour entries.
Staffing
Ineffective and irregular delivery of key work, with many prisoners unaware of their key worker or receiving infrequent support.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Some showers remain in an unsanitary and unsuitable state, with refurbishment works not completed as promised in 2022.
Food/Catering
Repeated
Kitchen equipment often out of use and awaiting repair, affecting food choice and staff stress.
Mental Health
The inappropriate holding of mentally unwell men, particularly those on constant watch, in the Care, Separation and Reintegration Unit (CSRU) due to lack of suitable alternatives and transfer delays.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Ongoing concerns about educational provision, including poor attendance rates (40%) and recruitment/retention of tutors.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Lack of courses to address offending behaviour, particularly for those convicted of sexual offences.
Resettlement/Release
Difficulties with sentence progression due to outstanding OASys reports and poor communication with offender managers, exacerbated by high caseloads and lack of key work.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | When is the minister going to address the problem of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection? (see section 7.3.) | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | What steps does the minister intend to take to ensure that prisoners who require transfer to an outside secure mental health unit are assessed and transferred without delay? (see section 5.2.) | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | Without accommodation on release it is difficult for people to find a job, support themselves and make a fresh start, avoiding a return to prison. What steps does the minister intend to take to ensure that everyone leaving custody has somewhere to live immediately on release? (see section 7.5.) | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | What steps can the Prison Service take to tackle the issue of loss of property for men being transferred to or from High Down? (see section 5.8.) | HMPPS | |
| 5 | What steps can the Prison Service take to ensure that issues with the supply of canteen and refunds are resolved in a timely manner? (see section 5.7.) | HMPPS | |
| 6 | What can the prison do to ensure that there is high-quality employment and training available to men in High Down, with links to employment on release? It is of concern that there are high numbers of men in only part-time or half-time work which does little to prepare them for life on the outside (see section 7.2). Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | What action is the prison taking to tackle the disproportionate way that the incentives scheme is applied, which has a particularly discriminatory impact on black prisoners? (see section 5.6.) | Governor / Director | |
| 8 | What can the prison do to ensure that key work is delivered effectively and regularly to ensure that it supports the men during their sentence? (see section 5.3.) | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | Can the prison develop a more efficient process for handling prisoners’ property, particularly in relation to cell clearances for moves between house blocks? (see section 5.8) | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints against staff | 92 | 95 |
| Healthcare complaints | 139 | — |
| Property missing on transfer | 115 | 69 |
| Property missing within High Down | 87 | 72 |
Related inspections & investigations
31 Jul 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 2
· Respect 3
· Activity 1
· Release 2
8 Dec 2025
PFD
Oliver Mulangala · State Custody related deaths | Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Other reports for High Down
Report details
- Establishment
- High Down
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 14 June 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP High Down
- Recommendations
- 9
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Population | 1,090 |
| Operational capacity | 1,113 |
Service providers
Education and training
Novus
GP
Medco, then replaced by Doctor PA
Healthcare: Inpatients and outpatients, medical care for residential areas, pharmacy and dental care
Central North West London NHS Trust (CNWL)
Maintenance and repair
Gov Facility Services Ltd. (GFSL)
Mental healthcare
CNWL – In-reach
Social care
Surrey County Council
Substance misuse
The Forward Trust