Thorn Cross

To ensure that the prison budget keeps pace with the inflationary pressures, which are now being felt (5.1.5).

I appreciate your comments about the prison food budget, particularly given the current inflation. As highlighted by your Board, unfortunately during Covid-19 (2020/2021) we saw food commodities in short supply. This led to HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) national food supplier working with them on agreed substitutes where a product was unavailable. If the substitute product was deemed as unsuitable and menu changes could not overcome the shortage, sourcing locally was considered the right decision. The Board may be aware that Governors have the authority to determine how they spend the overall non-pay budget for their prison. An element which makes up the non-pay budget is food which in 2020-21 was calculated on a formula of £2.12 per prisoner, per day. Governors ultimately use their discretion to determine how much is specifically allocated for food. At the end of the 2021/22 financial year the establishment achieved a daily cost of £2.43 per prisoner, with the comparator group average at £2.33. The Catering team are regularly adapting menus to react to the rise in food prices and availability issues. The Governor will continue to monitor the food allowance regularly and is developing plans to move towards central dining which will help to reduce waste and to operate within the daily food allowance. Prison Rule 24 states that prisoners must be provided with three meals a day, and these should be wholesome, nutritious, well prepared and served, reasonably varied and sufficient in quantity. HMPPS will continue to work with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, as per government guidelines on eating healthy meals.

To ensure that the ministerial oversight of high risk prisoners transferring to the open estate does not cause undue delay (4.0.6).

Regarding high-risk prisoners, as the Board is aware the Governor temporarily paused their transfer due to the shortage of probation officers and a rise in the number of absconds (during a period when the prison was increasing the population size). HMP/YOI Thorn Cross is now fully staffed and is accepting high-risk prisoners. A local abscond strategy is in place to identify potential risks and triggers and support those prisoners who present a risk of absconding. The strategy is regularly reviewed and there is increased scrutiny on re-categorisation within the closed estate. The Governor has enhanced the support for prisoners who have personal issues or who may be at risk from others and has introduced a dedicated group of staff to provide a higher level of support and supervision to new arrivals. A weekly Teams call has been introduced for prisoners who are due to transfer to HMP/YOI Thorn Cross to help structure expectations. Prison Offender Manager (POM) to POM handovers are in place for high-risk men.

To resolve the continuing issues with the transfer of property so that less of it goes missing and when it does there is a swift remedy (5.8.1).

The new Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework was published on 1 August 2022 with an implementation date of 5 September 2022. The Framework is the result of extensive consultation, including with the IMB. It has been designed with procedural justice at its core and aims to ensure consistency and fairness and enhance prisoners’ satisfaction with processes and outcomes. Given the nature of property, and the movement of prisoners between establishments, the Framework looks to provide greater direction and standardisation on a national basis. It strengthens processes in relation to the main problem areas identified by IMBs and staff including the handling of valuable property, managing cell clearances, compliance with volumetric control and forwarding on excess property following a prisoner’s transfer.

To continue the controlled use of mobile phones, as it maintains family ties and so aids rehabilitation (7.4.2).

HMPPS is currently reviewing access to IT across the open estate which includes access to mobile phones to aid family ties. Revised guidance will be published as part of the new Conveyance Policy Framework once it has received approval. It aims to ensure access is risk based in these very specific prison environments (rather than just applying what is permitted in the closed estate). In the interim, access to mobile phones, as originally introduced in response to the pandemic, may continue at the discretion of the Governor.

To provide decent fire retardant seating consistent with the ethos of the open estate (5.1.2).

The plastic tub chair was designed for in-cell use across the prison estate with endorsement by the Ministry of Justice Technical Standards and the Health Safety and Fire Group. ‘Crib 7’ rated, flame retardant seat products are available for the Governor to purchase. Roll out will be staggered and in line with the current prison budget (a bid for additional funding to be submitted).

To ensure that sending prisons complete records fully (6.6.7) (4.0.2).

The Governor is working with sending establishments in the closed estate to ensure that men with complex needs are identified before transfer to enable support plans to be put in place for their arrival. Where there are concerns with care plans, handover, or appropriate re-categorisation, these are shared with the Governor of the sending establishment to take action and identify any shared learning. A selection of HMP/YOI Thorn Cross prisoners are taken on visits to sending establishments to discuss the open prison offer with prisoners there (who are potentially due a transfer).

To continue to pursue initiatives that will reduce the number of absconds (4.0.4) (4.0.5).

A local abscond strategy is in place to identify potential risks and triggers and support those prisoners who present a risk of absconding. The strategy is regularly reviewed and there is increased scrutiny on re-categorisation within the closed estate. The Governor has enhanced the support for prisoners who have personal issues or who may be at risk from others and has introduced a dedicated group of staff to provide a higher level of support and supervision to new arrivals. A weekly Teams call has been introduced for prisoners who are due to transfer to HMP/YOI Thorn Cross to help structure expectations. Prison Offender Manager (POM) to POM handovers are in place for high-risk men.

To extend the number of areas of prison activity that are analysed in terms of protected characteristics (5.4.1) (5.4.2).

To increase mandatory drug testing to at least pre-pandemic levels (4.5.5).

To train members of the Prison Council so that they are better equipped to fulfil their role (5.3.4).

To ensure that the infrastructure is such that it can manage any increase in number (4.1.1) (4.2.3) (6.1.6) (7.2.2).

To learn from the experiences of the recent introduction of extra accommodation, resulting in better planning and implementation of any future new accommodation (5.1.1).