Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The Board again draws attention to the condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses. They are not fit for purpose. The provision of new accommodation is long overdue. Despite a major capital scheme to develop the site at Drake Hall, no provision is in place to replace these units.
Other
Repeated
Delayed or lost property on transfer remains a significant problem and causes unnecessary distress to women. It is a systemic issue that requires action across the prison service.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Due to operational pressure, increasing numbers of women continue to be transferred shortly before their release date. Undertaking work to prepare such women for release is then impossible.
Resettlement/Release
Resettlement services operate in an increasingly demanding environment where policy changes have impacted differently in different areas served by the provision. The IMB looks forward to seeing evidence of the development of a more joined up approach to services provided to women as they leave prison.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Since the pandemic, the provision of education for the women has been challenging. The Board looks forward to the development of an approach to the provision of education in which all parties work together to develop a provision which underpins sentence planning and supports reductions in reoffending while being acceptable to the women so that their take up, involvement and enthusiasm are maximised.
Equality/Diversity
The Board is concerned that women do not feel comfortable submitting DIRFs; this maybe because some recipients of racist language aren’t bothered by it or maybe it is to do with low levels of literacy and poor understanding of English so they cannot put in DIRFs. Alternatively, it could be that they lack confidence in the system.
Substance Misuse
The main concern at this time is the passing on of prescription medicines and unless this problem is better controlled through improved risk assessments and medication reviews, it could result in harm to a woman who takes a drug that is not prescribed for her.
Mental Health
There is an ongoing issue regarding the inability to recruit a trainee psychologist on site due to the absence of on-site supervision from a consultant psychologist. This appears to be an unrealistic expectation that this post will remain unfilled and this will impact on the wellbeing of the women.
Equality/Diversity
The environment at Drake Hall is not conducive to supporting women who need accommodation with a separate bathroom facility specifically adapted for a disabled person and on one occasion a woman transferred from another establishment had to be returned as her level of need could not be accommodated at Drake Hall.