Source · IMB Annual Report
New Hall
Year: 2022
Published: 16 Aug 2022
Type: Prison · Cat Women's YOI
Population: 324
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP New Hall operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with staff commended for their professionalism in maintaining safety. While safety metrics showed a notable increase in self-harm and use of force incidents, many were attributed to a small number of individuals and Covid-related confinement. Key areas for development include estate maintenance on Rivendell Unit and improving the quality of CSIP investigations, alongside addressing consistent prisoner complaints regarding healthcare and property.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 965 | 467 |
| ACCT cases opened | 442 | 481 |
| Prisoner assaults | 48 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 90 | — |
| Use of force | 335 | 178 |
Positive findings
The prison demonstrated professionalism in managing Covid outbreaks, which led to a positive safety audit and commendation from Public Health England. Staff-prisoner relationships are strong, and reception procedures are well-managed, with good support for new arrivals. Healthcare provision, including mental health support, received high satisfaction, and healthcare staffing improved significantly. Positive initiatives in equality, diversity, and purposeful activity, such as the Accelerator Prisons project and in-cell technology, have been well-received.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
One unit on Rivendell is in need of major work. The windows do not open... The heating system is unreliable and difficult to control within the unit.
Safety
The report also noted that the challenge, support and intervention plan (CSIP) process is fully embedded with staff aware of it but there are some weaknesses around the quality of the investigations and the plans that need to be addressed.
Complaints/Property
The total number of complaints has increased slightly from the previous reporting year... However, there remains some uncertainty with some complainants about the role of the IMB in the overall complaints process.
Complaints/Property
The extent to which personal property is allegedly lost in transit between prisons is a regular cause for complaint.
Healthcare
The number of applications received by IMB from prisoners complaining about healthcare continues to remain constant at about one third of all apps.
Mental Health
There have been a number of women sent to New Hall from court as a place of safety. A number of case studies have been escalated to NHSE as a point of concern.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Currently, there is little incentive for achieving enhanced [incentives scheme], so the changes post-Covid will concentrate on addressing this.
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 45 | 38 |
| Adjudications | 0 | 0 |
| Disability | 0 | 0 |
| Finance/cash | 22 | 22 |
| Food | 12 | 10 |
| Healthcare | 138 | 138 |
| Legal | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 40 | 40 |
| Property | 50 | 45 |
| Racism | 0 | 0 |
| Rule 45/Segregation | 0 | 0 |
| Staff | 20 | 25 |
| TOTAL | 364 | 348 |
| Visits/phone calls | 25 | 20 |
| Work/pay/education | 12 | 10 |
Related inspections & investigations
Other reports for New Hall
Report details
- Establishment
- New Hall
- Type
- Prison · Cat Women's YOI
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 16 August 2022
- Responsible body
- HMP New Hall
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 324 |
| Operational capacity | 381 |
Service providers
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Practice Plus Group
Education
Novus
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Library Services
Novus
Maintenance
Amey
Mental Health
Practice Plus Group
Prisoner Transport
GEOAmey