Source · IMB Annual Report
Dovegate
Year: 2022
Published: 20 Jan 2023
Type: Prison · Cat B training prison
Population: 1,210
Recommendations: 9
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, operated in a calm and settled manner despite ongoing Covid challenges and staff shortages. The Board commended improvements in staff culture, the effective use of body-worn cameras, and the high standards of cleanliness and food provision. However, significant concerns persist regarding the lack of a national electronic system for property transfers, the slow progress on converting the healthcare inpatient unit, and the increasing number of remand prisoners. The Board has made recommendations to the Minister, Prison Service, and Director to address these issues, many of which have been highlighted in previous reports.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 3 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 650 | 584 |
| ACCT cases opened | 668 | 685 |
| Prisoner assaults | 145 | 96 |
| Assaults on staff | 40 | 24 |
| Use of force | 325 | 278 |
Positive findings
The Board welcomed a noticeable positive change in culture with the arrival of the new Director and Deputy Director, who have actively recruited staff and introduced new initiatives. Body-worn video cameras are now fully embedded and used effectively for de-escalation and learning. The prison is commended for its cleanliness, well-maintained grounds, and consistently high-standard food provision. Staff-prisoner relationships are generally positive, and communication channels like the prison council and equalities forums are working well. The chaplaincy team is praised for its sense of purpose and support for all prisoners, and the complaints procedure is efficient.
Key concerns
Resettlement/Release
There should be focus on reviewing the sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) prisoners, enabling them to progress and move towards a safe release. It is against natural justice that so long after this sentence was abolished so many prisoners are still in prison.
Overcrowding
There has been a significant increase in the number of remand prisoners held in HMP Dovegate due to delays in the court system. We urge the Minister to take action to mitigate this situation.
Other
Repeated
The Board is extremely disappointed with the inadequacy of the HMPPS review of property procedures and urges the Minister to intervene.
Other
Repeated
The Board looks for positive timely action from the Prison Service regarding the point raised below: prisoners’ property during transfer. This has been highlighted in at least our last three annual reports. Far more urgency needs to be applied to this problem.
Other
Repeated
A review by the Prison Service took approximately two years to produce a revised property transfer plan, published in August 2022, that turned out to be only marginally different from what was already in place and not working. Even though some prisons have property on digital systems, no electronic system exists across the estate and handwritten cards are still being used nationally for the transfer of prisoners. The Board continues to deal with a substantial number of property issues resulting from transfers from other establishments. In this Board’s view, a new workable system using 21st century technology is a must, and it should be possible to produce this quickly. This would free up prison managers/staff and the IMB to concentrate on other more important matters. More effort needs to be made to find a national solution to this problem.
Healthcare
Repeated
accelerate plans for the conversion of the inpatient unit in healthcare and to provide consultation and treatment rooms adequate for the number of prisoners in the prison
Healthcare
liaise with the head of healthcare to reinstate escorts to outside hospital appointments to the levels in place before Covid.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
continue with the proposed changes to the CSU, including the revamp of the exercise yard and installation of gym equipment
Food/Catering
review the kitchen equipment service company’s contract.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There should be focus on reviewing the sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) prisoners, enabling them to progress and move towards a safe release. It is against natural justice that so long after this sentence was abolished so many prisoners are still in prison. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | There has been a significant increase in the number of remand prisoners held in HMP Dovegate due to delays in the court system. We urge the Minister to take action to mitigate this situation. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | The Board is extremely disappointed with the inadequacy of the HMPPS review of property procedures and urges the Minister to intervene. Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | The Board looks for positive timely action from the Prison Service regarding the point raised below: prisoners’ property during transfer. This has been highlighted in at least our last three annual reports. Far more urgency needs to be applied to this problem. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 5 | A review by the Prison Service took approximately two years to produce a revised property transfer plan, published in August 2022, that turned out to be only marginally different from what was already in place and not working. Even though some prisons have property on digital systems, no electronic system exists across the estate and handwritten cards are still being used nationally for the transfer of prisoners. The Board continues to deal with a substantial number of property issues resulting from transfers from other establishments. In this Board’s view, a new workable system using 21st century technology is a must, and it should be possible to produce this quickly. This would free up prison managers/staff and the IMB to concentrate on other more important matters. More effort needs to be made to find a national solution to this problem. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 6 | accelerate plans for the conversion of the inpatient unit in healthcare and to provide consultation and treatment rooms adequate for the number of prisoners in the prison Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | liaise with the head of healthcare to reinstate escorts to outside hospital appointments to the levels in place before Covid. | Governor / Director | |
| 8 | continue with the proposed changes to the CSU, including the revamp of the exercise yard and installation of gym equipment Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | review the kitchen equipment service company’s contract. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 45 | 38 |
| Chaplaincy | 3 | 3 |
| Discrimination | 2 | 1 |
| Family | 3 | 2 |
| Finance | 11 | 7 |
| Food | 1 | 0 |
| Healthcare | 38 | 23 |
| Learning | 1 | 0 |
| Legal | 16 | 12 |
| Other | 51 | 38 |
| Property | 185 | 167 |
| Rule 39 | 2 | 1 |
| Safety | 4 | 3 |
| Segregation | 21 | 18 |
| Staff | 75 | 59 |
| Total | 458 | 372 |
Related inspections & investigations
18 Sep 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 3
· Activity 1
· Release 3
11 Feb 2021
PFD
Michael Dobson · State Custody related deaths | Mental Health related deaths | Suicide (from 2015)
Other reports for Dovegate
Report details
- Establishment
- Dovegate
- Type
- Prison · Cat B training prison
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 20 January 2023
- Responsible body
- HMP Dovegate
- Recommendations
- 9
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Population | 1,210 |
| CNA (designed for) | 1,160 104% |
Service providers
Education
Serco
Facilities Management
Serco Integrated Services
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Library Services
Serco
Library Services partner
Staffordshire Library Services
Mental Health Services
Midland Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT)
Social Care assessments
Staffordshire County Council social care