Source · IMB Annual Report
Standford Hill
Year: 2022
Published: 27 Oct 2022
Type: Prison · Cat D, YOI
Population: 499
Recommendations: 4
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP/YOI Standford Hill, a Category D open prison, successfully maintained operations during the reporting period despite COVID-19, achieving low infection rates and a strong focus on prisoner rehabilitation, reflected in low reoffending. The IMB noted humane treatment of prisoners, dedicated healthcare, and an excellent record in providing work opportunities. Key concerns include poor performance by GFSL, inadequate technological support, and the deteriorating state of the prison's estate.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 2 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 0 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 0 | — |
Positive findings
Standford Hill effectively navigated COVID-19 challenges, maintaining low infection rates due to rigorous precautions and a well-managed healthcare system. The IMB commends the new Governor's progressive leadership and the prison's strong focus on rehabilitation, resulting in low reoffending rates and ensuring all released prisoners have accommodation. Treatment of prisoners is consistently respectful and humane, with an excellent record in providing training and work opportunities.
Key concerns
Other
The performance of GFSL in providing services to the prison has been woefully inadequate, with many examples of their lack of attention to detail and failure to rectify problems in a reasonable period. This was particularly evident with the prison laundry's mechanical problems and issues with machinery in the Gardens Department.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Internet facilities are very sporadic inside the prison, which restricts prisoners' ability to correspond with potential future employers, craft CVs, and learn necessary technological skills for release. Improved technological support would also save staff resources for checking prisoners' whereabouts.
Estate/Conditions
The state of several of the buildings is deteriorating and, in view of the delayed proposed expansion, urgent attention must be given to renovating parts of the estate, including the historic hangar which continues to fall into disrepair, and an unfinished, potentially dangerous patio outside the Visits area.
Food/Catering
The system of having food brought from the kitchens at Swaleside is far from ideal and raises concerns about efficiency at both prisons, with occasional delays in transport.
Estate/Conditions
With the successful introduction of new individual pods, there is a concern that this may give rise to a perception of inequality of accommodation in various sections of the prison.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In order to continue this successful resettlement, we consider that the urgent refurbishment of the prison is a priority. With the new buildings, this may give to give rise to a perception of inequality of accommodation in various sections of the prison. | HMPPS | |
| 2 | We continue to believe that the rehabilitation programme would be much enhanced by the creation of an Internet Room, which would enable prisoners to plan their futures independently, and to communicate more efficiently with future employers. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 3 | We continue to believe that, with the creation of a proper kitchen, prison life would be enhanced by the provision of a dedicated dining room. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 4 | It appears to the Board that communications between GFSL and the prison needs to improve radically in order to ensure that those parts of the prison dependent on the work of GFSL are enabled to run smoothly. | HMPPS |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 1 | — |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 1 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 3 | 1 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 3 | 1 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 6 | — |
Related inspections & investigations
8 Oct 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 3
· Activity 4
· Release 4
Other reports for Standford Hill
Report details
- Establishment
- Standford Hill
- Type
- Prison · Cat D, YOI
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 27 October 2022
- Responsible body
- HMP Standford Hill
- Recommendations
- 4
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 499 |
| Operational capacity | 464 |
Service providers
Drug rehabilitation
Change, Grow, Learn (CGL)
Facilities management
GFSL
Healthcare
Oxleas Foundation Trust
Social care
Kent County Council Adult Social Services
Vocational training
East Kent College