Source · IMB Annual Report
Humber
Year: 2021
Published: 24 May 2022
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 960
Recommendations: 10
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Humber navigated 2021 under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with commendations for management and staff for maintaining stability and low violence. However, the Board expresses grave concerns about the long-term mental health impact of extended lock-up, critical staffing shortages, and issues with healthcare access. Resettlement efforts were hampered by probation service changes, and property loss remained an unresolved, recurring problem.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 5 | 1 |
| Self-harm incidents | 344 | 544 |
| ACCT cases opened | 370 | 541 |
| Prisoner assaults | 104 | 108 |
| Assaults on staff | 37 | 46 |
| Use of force | 266 | 263 |
| Drug finds | 34 | 47 |
Positive findings
HMP Humber was extremely well managed throughout 2021 despite the pandemic, with low levels of violence, bullying, and self-harm contributing to a safer environment. The Board commends the Governor and SMT for their leadership in maintaining stability and good staff-prisoner relationships. Positive initiatives included increased tele-medicine, the ICE TV channel for communication and education, and Purple Visits for family contact. The segregation unit saw low occupancy, and equality and diversity events were successfully organised. Healthcare staff delivered a good service despite challenges, and property loss is being proactively addressed.
Key concerns
Mental Health
The Board has grave concerns about the potential for long-term damage to the prisoners [due to restrictions].
Staffing
The Prison Service is losing operational staff faster than it can recruit replacements due to uncompetitive pay and conditions, leading to poorer outcomes for prisoners.
Resettlement/Release
The reunification of probation services has significantly reduced onsite resettlement provision, creating grave concerns for preparation for release programmes and processes.
Other
Repeated
There has been little, if any, practical response to the comments raised in the preceding report.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Prison Service retained rigid adherence to national stages of recovery rather than demonstrating greater flexibility for HMP Humber's specific needs.
Overcrowding
A proposal to increase the number of shared cells is not considered decent, especially for long periods of detention.
Other
Repeated
The loss of prisoners’ property, both within the prison and during transfers, continues on a regular basis, with no notable improvement despite being raised for several years.
Resettlement/Release
Lack of available accommodation in Category D establishments is causing a backlog of eligible prisoners unable to transfer (38 at year-end).
Staffing
The effectiveness of the key worker process has been compromised due to Covid-19 restrictions and staff shortages.
Complaints/Property
Need for continued robust assurance checks on the quality and timeliness of responses to prisoner complaints.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Board has grave concerns about the potential for long-term damage to the prisoners. We are keen to hear from the Minister about the proposals she has to address this, as restrictions are removed. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | We urge the minister to re-establish competitive pay and conditions for prison staff. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | Given the vibrant nature of the resettlement provision within HMP Humber prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board feels that the loss of this provision is of grave concern for those in custody at HMP Humber. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 4 | The Board is disappointed to note that there has been little, if any, practical response to the comments raised in the preceding report. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 5 | As the pandemic has continued, the Board would have hoped that the Prison Service would have demonstrated greater flexibility in its approach to HMP Humber rather than retain the rigid adherence to stated stages of recovery imposed across the prison estate. | HMPPS | |
| 6 | The Board is strongly of the opinion that detaining prisoners in shared cells for long periods of time is not decent, and we would urge the Prison Service to reconsider. | HMPPS | |
| 7 | The Board believes that the current level of property losses between prisons continues to be especially unacceptable. The Board has raised concerns around property loss in our annual reports for several years. However, we have still not seen any notable improvement in performance (see section 5.8). Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 8 | Key workers: While we understand that the effectiveness of the key worker process has been compromised due to the Covid-19 restrictions and staff shortages, we would urge the Governor to make it a high priority to re-establish this excellent initiative as soon as possible. | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | Complaints: Again, while we appreciate the effect of the Covid-19 restrictions and staff shortages, we would welcome the continuation of robust assurance checks on maintaining good, quality responses to prisoners’ complaints. | Governor / Director | |
| 10 | Property: We are pleased to note that a more proactive approach in addressing property loss within the prison was taken in the latter part of 2021. As a Board, we continue to be concerned with property losses and cell clearance, and will continue to monitor this situation and improvements. Repeated | Governor / Director |
Related inspections & investigations
27 Nov 2023
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 3
· Activity 2
· Release 3
Other reports for Humber
Report details
- Establishment
- Humber
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2021
- Published
- 24 May 2022
- Responsible body
- HMP Humber
- Recommendations
- 10
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 960 |
| Operational capacity | 986 |
| CNA (designed for) | 965 99% |
Service providers
Community rehabilitation company
Humberside, Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire
Education
Novus
Escort contractor
GEOAmey
Mental healthcare
City Health Care Partnership (CHCP)
Primary healthcare
City Health Care Partnership (CHCP)
Substance misuse
City Health Care Partnership (CHCP)
Temporary clinical advice and leadership oversight
Spectrum Community Health Community Interest Company (CIC)