Source · IMB Annual Report
Stafford
Year: 2022
Published: 21 Sep 2022
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 741
Recommendations: 3
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Stafford, a Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, navigated significant challenges during the reporting period, primarily systemic failures in medicines management, Covid-19 outbreaks, and staff shortages impacting the regime. While the Board noted severe concerns regarding healthcare and the lack of in-cell phones, it commended staff resilience, low violence levels, good education attendance, and effective resettlement efforts, particularly in securing accommodation for released residents.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 6 | — |
| Use of force | 68 | 66 |
Positive findings
The Board can only praise both staff and residents for their forbearance and resilience during these extremely difficult times. The prison demonstrated low levels of violence and drug abuse, and residents consistently felt safe. Patient-facing healthcare staff received positive feedback, and mental health services were well-regarded. The prison was kept remarkably clean, and food provision was praised. Education attendance averaged 90%, and the education team was commended for innovative delivery. The Board was pleased that all but one resident released had accommodation.
Key concerns
Healthcare
Repeated
Sustained effective healthcare and medicines management that delivers for the residents of HMP Stafford and not just PPG targets
Other
For the prison to move to more of a Cat C rather than Cat B feel
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The need to introduce modern in-cell phone technology (fixed or mobile)
Equality/Diversity
Appalling treatment of some Foreign National residents when being sent home, particularly those convicted of a sexual offence, including repeated returns to the prison due to flight cancellations or unavailable escorts.
Estate/Conditions
Impact of a persistent legionella outbreak necessitating temporary porta-showers and closure of many wing shower areas, severely impacting residents' ability to obtain showers, especially those with disabilities.
Healthcare
Lack of appropriate placement for residents with severe dementia in the Special Care Unit (SCU) despite available beds, forcing them to cope in standard cells.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sustained effective healthcare and medicines management that delivers for the residents of HMP Stafford and not just PPG targets Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 2 | For the prison to move to more of a Cat C rather than Cat B feel | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | The need to introduce modern in-cell phone technology (fixed or mobile) Repeated | HMPPS |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 9 | 2 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 3 | 2 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives schemes, sanctions | 5 | 0 |
| Equality | 4 | 1 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 3 | 1 |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 0 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 72 | 1 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 5 | 1 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 19 | 2 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 13 | 0 |
| Property within this establishment | 19 | 1 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 5 | 0 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 12 | 3 |
| Staff/resident concerns, including bullying | 16 | 4 |
| Transfers | 2 | 1 |
Related inspections & investigations
19 Nov 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 4
· Activity 3
· Release 3
Other reports for Stafford
Report details
- Establishment
- Stafford
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 21 September 2022
- Responsible body
- HMP Stafford
- Recommendations
- 3
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 741 |
| Operational capacity | 750 |
Service providers
Canteen
DHL
Education
Novus and Acorn Training
Escort contractor
GEOAmey
Facilities Management
Amey plc
Library
Staffordshire County Council
Mental Health
Practice Plus Group (subcontracted to Inclusion and MPFT)
Physical Health and Social Care
Practice Plus Group (PPG)