Recommendation 1
When is the minister going to address the problem of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection? (see section 7.3.)
Source · IMB Annual Report
High Down
AI-generated report summary 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.
Year: 2022
Published: 14 Jun 2023
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 1,090
Recommendations: 9
Key concerns
Positive findings
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
AI-generated summaryThe 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
We welcome the introduction of a community living unit at High Down, but this does not provide a solution for those men serving indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPPs), who are left with little hope of ever being released and being given the additional support that they may need to successfully reintegrate into society.
Significant delays in the assessment and transfer of prisoners requiring outside secure mental health units.
Source wording under review
What steps does the minister intend to take to ensure that everyone leaving custody has somewhere to live immediately on release?
Continued issues with missing and lost property during transfers and cell moves, causing unnecessary anxiety and distress.
Source wording under review
Unresolved issues with the supply of canteen items and timely refunds for prisoners.
Source wording under review
The Board continues to be concerned about the lack of high-quality employment and training available to men in High Down, because this would better prepare them for release. In addition, 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).
The disproportionate application of the incentives scheme, particularly its discriminatory impact on black prisoners, and the need for more positive behaviour entries.
Source wording under review
Ineffective and irregular delivery of key work, with many prisoners unaware of their key worker or receiving infrequent support.
Source wording under review
We are therefore dismayed to report this year that the works were not completed, and some showers remain in an unsanitary and unsuitable state.
We are concerned to note that (as reported in 2021) kitchen equipment continues to often be out of use and awaiting repair. This has an effect on the levels of stress for those working in the kitchens and results in a more limited choice of food for prisoners (see section 5.1).
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.
Source wording under review
The Board has ongoing concerns about educational provision at High Down, particularly poor attendance rates for education classes. The overall attendance rate for 2022 was 40%. Visits and medical appointments would account for some of the reduced attendance, but a shortage of officers and tutors had a significant impact.
The lack of courses to address offending behaviour remains of concern, particularly for those men convicted of sexual offences (see section 7.3).
Difficulties with sentence progression due to outstanding OASys reports and poor communication with offender managers, exacerbated by high caseloads and lack of key work.
Source wording under review
Recommendations
Recommendation 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.)
Recommendation 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.)
Recommendation 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.)
Recommendation 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.)
Recommendation 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).
Recommendation 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.)
Recommendation 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.)
Recommendation 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)
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
Safety 2
· Respect 3
· Activity 1
· Release 2
Oliver Mulangala · Other non-natural
Daniel Brown · Natural causes
Mohammed Fethaullah · Natural causes
Oliver Mulangala · State Custody related deaths | Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Matthew Russell · State Custody related deaths; Suicide (from 2015)
Other reports for High Down
Population 1,133
· Self-harm 575
· Concerns
Population 1,205
· Self-harm 661
· Concerns
Population 1,148
· Self-harm 651
· Concerns
Population 1,021
· Self-harm 779
· Concerns
Population 930
· Self-harm 577
· Concerns