Source · IMB Annual Report
Elmley
Year: 2022
Published: 16 Mar 2023
Type: Prison · Cat local, YOI
Recommendations: 3
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Elmley, a local prison, navigated Covid disruptions to improve prisoner experience and reduce violence through increased key work and a young adult strategy. While the Board noted improvements in safety scrutiny, complaint resolution, and resettlement opportunities, significant concerns remain regarding the treatment and information provision for foreign national prisoners by the Home Office. Other challenges include the poor condition of the prison estate, persistent staffing shortages across key departments, and inadequate activity spaces impacting rehabilitation efforts.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 5 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 660 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 390 | — |
| Use of force | 744 | 607 |
| Drug finds | 39 | — |
Positive findings
The Board welcomed significant improvements in prisoner experience despite Covid setbacks and staffing issues. Key work sessions increased, and a young adult strategy reduced gang violence and improved safety. Effective use of force scrutiny, body worn cameras, and improved ACCT care plans were noted. The prison also enhanced resettlement opportunities through the accelerator project and employment hub, while improving responses to prisoner complaints and addressing property issues.
Key concerns
Equality/Diversity
Foreign national prisoners held in HMP Elmley lack formal engagement from the Home Office, particularly those on remand who are left in limbo with limited information and access to immigration authorities, sometimes leading to illegal detention and disorder.
Estate/Conditions
The fabric of the existing prison is in desperate need of attention, with cells generally in poor condition due to age and poor maintenance, raising concerns about the appropriateness of spending on anticipated population growth rather than essential repairs.
Safety
Repeated
Not enough is being done to fully understand and address the underlying causes of self-harm, a concern previously highlighted in the last annual report.
Staffing
Significant staffing shortages persist across key departments, including the Offender Management Unit (OMU) and education, leading to heavy caseloads, reduced prisoner contact, and cancelled courses, while the IMB itself is operating with half its recommended complement.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
There is a need for more activity spaces and skills-based tuition to fully engage prisoners in purposeful activities, as current shortages in trainers and physical spaces limit opportunities for all.
Resettlement/Release
The newly contracted visitors centre, now run by Pact, is providing a significantly reduced service which is expected to negatively impact family contact and the crucial role it plays in prisoner rehabilitation.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The foreign nationals held in HMP Elmley deserve formal engagement from the Home Office. Those who are in the country illegally and are on remand should be given better access to immigration authorities so that they understand their position and are not left in limbo. Can the Minister consider engaging with Home Office colleagues to improve this situation? | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Is it appropriate to spend money on accommodating an anticipated growth in the prison population when the fabric of the existing prison is desperately in need of attention? | HMPPS | |
| 3 | The Board is pleased to see the energy put into engaging prisoners in purposeful activities like education which will offer the possibility of rehabilitation as well as keeping them occupied. We would like to see more activity spaces provided in the coming year and more skills-based tuition. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 10 | 14 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 13 | 19 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 10 | 9 |
| Equality | 7 | 1 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 7 | 5 |
| Food and kitchens | 6 | 14 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 59 | 94 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 14 | 18 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 42 | 68 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 29 | 29 |
| Property within this establishment | 38 | 47 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 7 | 10 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 70 | 55 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 58 | 75 |
| Transfers | 3 | 7 |
Related inspections & investigations
9 Feb 2026
PFD
Josh Tarrant (3) · Alcohol drugs and medication related deaths | State Custody related deaths
Other reports for Elmley
Report details
- Establishment
- Elmley
- Type
- Prison · Cat local, YOI
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 16 March 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Elmley
- Recommendations
- 3
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Operational capacity | 1,157 |
| Time out of cell | 2.0h/day |
Service providers
Drug Treatment
Forward Trust
Education
Weston College
Maintenance
Gov Facility Services Ltd
Mental Health
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Physical Healthcare
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Visitors Centre
Spurgeons