Full Sutton

The pandemic has affected everyone and all aspects of life, I am therefore pleased to confirm that for education delivery and provision, the provider Milton Keynes College enrolled approximately one third of the population (198 prisoners) onto 525 courses, nearly half of which were accredited courses with an overall 87% completion rate to date. One of the outstanding successes of the past twelve months has been the development of the peer mentor scheme in support of learning both on the residential wings and in the classroom. The peer mentors, with assistance from teaching staff, have supported a large number of learners in achieving qualifications including working with those with low literacy levels and with prisoners where English is not their first language. A new and full curriculum has now been commissioned for 2022/2023 as opposed to the previously required quarter-year curriculum. The content will further support the need for functional skill qualifications ranging from Entry to Level 2 which aligns with the new pay policy.
Numerous other courses are now offered and include the following: a new suite of employability courses ranging from Entry to Level 2; an improved Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board cleaning course with the option for a Level 1 unit covering bodily fluids, spillages and hazardous items, and a new Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning Principles; a soon to be launched catering qualification supported by additional qualifications; a revised Personal and Social Development course offering skills development such team working, promotion of wellbeing, stress management and healthy lifestyles and a re-commissioned art qualification up to Level 3. This is in addition to almost 700 hours Open University (OU) and Distance Learning (DL) support commissioned, as well as 1000 hours outreach provision to support the small units and other areas. The revised pay policy has significantly raised the prominence of literacy and numeracy within the prison in clearly incentivising educational attainment, moving from assessed levels to awarded qualifications and linking this to enhanced wage levels.

Work provision has been increased and improved with the opening of a new lighting shop which will serve lighting upgrades within prisons together with providing sales for the company in the community. The new barista station, Café Portal, will be opening soon and provide employment places and related qualifications whilst doubling up as a café experience for staff and prisoners. The recycling workshop will open later this year and has had significant investment during the past twelve months.
The prison has also seized opportunities to expand and diversify provision within the workshop complex. The Workshops (excluding DHL and Kitchens) operate a part-time working regime which allows a larger proportion of the population to access the work areas. The Woodmill project that commenced in May 2022, involves the complex installation of machinery to manufacture and produce goods for the internal market including new-build prison projects. Although this project reduces the number of textiles workshops, it increases the overall number of activity spaces and diversifies the available work opportunities. The focus to increase accreditation delivery will also be evident in the charity bicycle repair workshop with the introduction of Velotech qualifications. Prisoners will demonstrate competence in the refurbishment of bikes to a level that satisfies the award.

The Prison Service responded that, while the PIN phone system is not directly comparable to any other public payphone service, requiring security and monitoring which was essential to the specific requirements of HMPPS, services and cost were being reviewed. In August 2021 call charges in Full Sutton were brought into line with charges applied in prisons where there is in-cell telephony, resulting in cheaper calls for prisoners in Full Sutton.

The Prison Service responded that the development of a new prisoner property policy framework was paused due to Covid, although consultation took place later in 2020. A new draft framework was due for further consultation in 2021. The IMB will monitor the handling of prisoner property in 2022.