Nottingham

I acknowledge the Board’s long-standing concern about the number of people who remain in prison beyond their tariff period. There are no current plans to change the legislation on the indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP), including the licence period. It remains the case, to re-sentence these individuals would expose a considerable risk of serious harm to the public as they are still assessed as patently dangerous.
Whilst it is our main priority to protect the public, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is committed to doing all it can to support these individuals in progressing towards a safe release. This commitment continues to be delivered through a bespoke and regularly refreshed IPP Action Plan. This also includes a work stream to oversee the specialist progression regimes that develop and test an individual’s ability to manage their risks in an environment of increasing freedom and responsibility. Following the publication of the Justice Committee’s report into the IPP sentence, HMPPS will be reviewing the IPP Action Plan taking account of the evidence presented in the publication, so HMPPS can be confident that they are focusing its resources and efforts on the right aspects of progression.
These efforts have, in recent years, delivered a substantial reduction in the number of IPP prisoners who have never been released. That number stood at 1,492 at the end of June 2022. Those who are not successful in achieving release at their first post-recall parole review are considered by an IPP Progression Panel. These Panels provide a multi-disciplinary approach to ensuring that IPP prisoners are on the right progression pathway to secure their future, safe and successful re-release into the community. IPP Progression Panels are also used for those who have not yet achieved release where progress has stalled or a key point in the sentence has been reached.
It is accepted that indeterminate sentenced prisoners should be located at the establishment best placed to meet their sentence planning needs in terms of interventions, and prisons will seek out suitable locations for those who are assessed as needing to access certain interventions in other prisons, as promptly as is reasonably possible. Indeterminate sentence prisoners may have their parole reviewed at least every two years, depending on the specifics of individual cases, and may transfer during a parole review if it is to access a progression opportunity and providing it does not disrupt an impending parole hearing date. Governors should seek progression opportunities at the earliest opportunity post conclusion of a parole review to increase the chances of a timely and successful transfer. I hope to reassure the Board that the staff at HMP Nottingham continue with their commitment to support the progression of IPP prisoners and a tracking system to monitor progress has been introduced.

Separation of Remand and Convicted Prisoners
As outlined in last year’s response, Prison Rule 7 (2) and Prison Service Order 4600 - Unconvicted, Unsentenced and Civil Prisoners sets out the current requirements.
The ambition of the prison’s senior management team is to ideally hold remand and convicted prisoners separately. However, this has to be balanced against a very busy Reception and Resettlement prison and other cohorts. The special unit designed for young adults to better cater for their needs has opened. We will continue to keep this under review.

Regarding support for those detained in custody, it is important to note that maintaining safety and the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners continues to be a priority. As identified by the Board, Covid-19 restrictions affected the delivery of the key worker scheme, HMPPS is now supporting establishments to resume regular key work sessions in the closed estate and is working closely with the Samaritans to support prisoners in emotional distress. Following a competition for funding, HMPPS will be renewing the Samaritans grant to provide £625,000 each year until March 2025 (primarily for the Listener Scheme delivery).
Turning to some positives captured in your report, it was encouraging to read that you were impressed by the commitment of everyone at HMP Nottingham in maintaining their own and others’ safety during the pandemic. I was pleased to note there has been a reduction in the number of prisoners transferred from Rampton Hospital and spending long periods in segregation. Your comments about the new constant supervision policy, the library provision and the ‘come dine with me’ visiting initiative are appreciated. I note and welcome the Governor’s renewed focus on prisoner treatment and respect.