Source · IMB Annual Report
Durham
Year: 2022
Published: 31 Mar 2023
Type: Prison · Cat reception and resettlement prison for adult men an
Population: 976
Recommendations: 14
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Durham, a reception and resettlement prison, housed 976 prisoners at year-end, with 61.6% on remand, operating above its certified capacity. The Board commends staff for managing a challenging environment, noting that 93% of prisoners feel safe. Key concerns include persistent overcrowding, the increasing time unsentenced prisoners spend on remand due to court backlogs, and inadequate access to dentistry and certain induction processes. The report highlights improvements in staff attendance at key meetings and UoF monitoring, but also calls for better embedding of BWVC use and addressing regime limitations affecting education and resettlement.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 3 | 3 |
| Self-harm incidents | 486 | 589 |
| ACCT cases opened | 1,048 | 1,306 |
| Prisoner assaults | 225 | 144 |
| Assaults on staff | 55 | 49 |
| Use of force | 555 | 515 |
| Drug finds | 69 | 283 |
Positive findings
The Board commends the Governor and staff for their positive approach to managing changes in prison function and for their effective management of Covid-19 outbreaks. HMP Durham generally feels a safe environment, a view ratified by 93% of prisoners surveyed. NEPACS provides good support to prisoners and families, and the kitchens deliver an excellent, culturally diverse service. The chaplaincy team offers outstanding support, and prisoners speak highly of healthcare staff. The mental health team operates a valuable regional integrated support unit (ISU), and the Board is pleased with qualifications awarded and the library's support. The prison has made progress in ensuring cell checks and managing use of force monitoring.
Key concerns
Overcrowding
Repeated
prison overcrowding (5.1.3) and its persistent impact on prisoner dignity.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
the increase in time that unsentenced prisoners are spending in HMP Durham due to backlog in criminal cases.
Estate/Conditions
The refurbishment of A wing was initiated at the beginning of November 2022. At best it is estimated to take two years. It would be speeded up considerably if the population management unit allowed the prison to decant prisoners.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Social video calls have been reduced to one per month per prisoner.
Resettlement/Release
remand prisoners access to probation services prior to release.
Healthcare
Repeated
the dire issue of access to dentistry.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
ensure that first night and first day inductions are delivered to those who move directly from reception to the SACU e.g., those under moved under the secreted items policy.
Healthcare
ensure that all prisoners in reception receive healthcare screening before moving to first night centres.
Safety
The Board regularly reviews ACCT documents and is concerned at the number of them that do not have supervisors’ daily checks completed.
Safety
Repeated
embed the use of BWVC in the prison.
Complaints/Property
The prisoner consultation meeting is valued by prisoners, however, often it is cancelled at the last minute.
Food/Catering
Since the contractual arrangement for running the tea bar in the visit’s hall changed there has been a significant deterioration of the refreshments available.
Resettlement/Release
The contract for early days in custody comes to an end in March 2023. The Board views this as an essential service.
Resettlement/Release
The implementation of the short sentence framework is now overdue.
Estate/Conditions
cells remain inappropriate for disabled or aged prisoners; basic showering arrangements and issues with heat control remain endemic.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
men held under Immigration Act powers remaining for too long a period in HMP Durham.
Equality/Diversity
the number of foreign national prisoners (FNPs) in HMP Durham and ‘out of area’ prisoners who do not receive social visits because of distance from family.
Resettlement/Release
the community rehabilitation service (CRS) provision excludes remand prisoners from support for accommodation on release.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
The backlog of personal learning plans has been a concern as has the allocation and low attendance of prisoners to education and work.
Safety
Repeated
Use of force is disproportionate in the age groups 18–21 and 22–29.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
the length of time it takes for actions to be enacted in the minutes of prison meetings, e.g. DIAT and use of force.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
prisoners are working as cleaners before checks are completed and they are not receiving back-pay.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
by prison overcrowding (5.1.3) and its persistent impact on prisoner dignity. We ask again what, specifically for HMP Durham, can be done to alleviate this problem?
Repeated
Response
Generic response re the national position. Comments specific to Durham were: Whilst the average number of prisoners living in crowded conditions at HMP Durham and across the prison estate did fall during 2020/21, as a local prison there has been a need for HMP Durham to continue to operate in excess of its certified normal accommodation level. The challenge for HMP Durham remains in the turnover of the prisoner population and ensuring that cells are maintained to required standards. In recognition of the condition within cells, the prison has implemented the CRED programme which is making improvements to the prison environment. |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 |
by the increase in time that unsentenced prisoners are spending in HMP Durham. The Board awaits the Minister’s response on what else can be done to reduce the backlog in criminal cases and hence reduce time on remand (3.1/ 4.1.2).
Repeated
Response
Generic response acknowledging the national backlog on criminal cases. Investment over the next three years expects the Crown Court backlogs to be reduced to an estimated 53,000 by March 2025. |
Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | The refurbishment of A wing was initiated at the beginning of November 2022. At best it is estimated to take two years. It would be speeded up considerably if the population management unit allowed the prison to decant prisoners. Why will they not do this (4.3.4 / 4.3.5)? | HMPPS | |
| 4 | Social video calls have been reduced to one per month per prisoner. What can be done to increase access for those living out of area or from overseas (7.4.6)? | HMPPS | |
| 5 | What can be done to give remand prisoners access to probation services prior to release (7.5.2)? | HMPPS | |
| 6 | How does the Prison Service intend to address the dire issue of access to dentistry (6.1.2)? Repeated | NHS / Healthcare Provider | |
| 7 | How will you ensure that first night and first day inductions are delivered to those who move directly from reception to the SACU e.g., those under moved under the secreted items policy (4.1.5)? | Governor / Director | |
| 8 | How will you ensure that all prisoners in reception receive healthcare screening before moving to first night centres (4.1.6)? | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | The Board regularly reviews ACCT documents and is concerned at the number of them that do not have supervisors’ daily checks completed (see 4.2.10). | Governor / Director | |
| 10 |
What more can the Governor do to embed the use of BWVC in the prison (4.4.5)?
Repeated
Response
We will continue to encourage staff to wear them, numbers of cameras drawn are monitored daily at both the residential and senior managers meeting. The reminder from the ECR to activate body worn cameras will also remain in place. Interestingly we had a visit from the BWVC lead from HQ last week who advised us that Durham was the stand out performer in the whole estate for BWVC usage! |
Governor / Director | |
| 11 | The prisoner consultation meeting is valued by prisoners, however, often it is cancelled at the last minute. What can be done to ensure this meeting is held regularly (5.3.9)? | Governor / Director | |
| 12 | Since the contractual arrangement for running the tea bar in the visit’s hall changed there has been a significant deterioration of the refreshments available. What can be done to rectify this (7.4.9)? | Governor / Director | |
| 13 | The contract for early days in custody comes to an end in March 2023. The Board views this as an essential service; is there a possibility that the prison may decide to take this service in-house (7.4.11)? | Governor / Director | |
| 14 | The implementation of the short sentence framework is now overdue; when will this be implemented (7.5.2)? | Governor / Director |
Related inspections & investigations
30 Apr 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 2
· Respect 2
· Activity 1
· Release 3
14 Feb 2019
PFD
Matthew Hamilton · Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths; State Custody related deaths
Other reports for Durham
Report details
- Establishment
- Durham
- Type
- Prison · Cat reception and resettlement prison for adult men an
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 31 March 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Durham
- Recommendations
- 14
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 1 — Serious concern
Population
| Population | 976 |
| Operational capacity | 995 |
| CNA (designed for) | 596 164% |
Service providers
Attending suicide prevention meetings and offering regular training to Listeners
The Samaritans
Court escort, transfer vehicles
GEOAmey
Court listings, warrants
His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service
Dental services
Burgess and Hyder
Diversity race equality action team – advice on matters involving Muslim prisoners, training
Islamic Diversity Centre
Diversity support (similar to Islamic Diversity Centre)
Ethnic Minorities Training and Education Project
Employment, training and partner events
Newcastle Futures
Established by the chaplaincy to support men in a ‘revolving door syndrome’, providing structured su
Bridges Group
Healthcare services (sub-contracted by Spectrum)
Premier
Lead provider for all healthcare services (nursing, administration, DART nursing, GP, pharmacy)
Spectrum Community Health CIC
Maintenance of facilities
Amey
Mental health services including psychiatry, clinical psychology, speech and language therapy
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV)
New online visits booking line
National Visits Booking Line
Optician services
Prison Optical Trust
Organisation supporting prisoners to transform their lives and get work
Junction 42
Organisation working with prison chaplains and local churches to give imprisoned parents the opportu
Angel Tree
Outside job assistance
New Futures Network
Physiotherapy and chiropody
Premier
Primary mental health services, counselling, RECONNECT
Rethink
Provision of teaching services in education, including workshops
Novus
Psychosocial substance misuse services
Humankind
Rehabilitation provider for accommodation (community rehabilitation service)
Thirteen Group
Relationship skills, financial management and parenting
Time for Families
Resettlement
Probation Service
Social care
Durham County Council
Specialist diabetic nursing
County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT)
Support for ex-service personnel in prison
Care after Combat
Supports hepatitis C in-reach service
RVI-Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Hospitals
Telemedicine
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Visiting specialist services (general, orthopaedic, vascular, ENT surgery, chest medicine, epilepsy
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Victoria Infirmary
Visiting X-ray and ultrasound services
In-Health
Visits, education, training, family ties, resettlement meetings
North East Prison After Care Society (Nepacs)
Volunteer Christian organisation supporting prisoners
Prison Fellowship