Hollesley Bay

Response
Although it was another difficult reporting period, it was encouraging to receive your comments about the prison’s management of the pandemic, the structured ‘pathway approach’ for learning and outside employment progression, and the continued emphasis on the equality agenda. I was also pleased to read about the installation of outside gym stations and the provision of an outdoor chess board resulting in prisoners representing England in an international online prisons championship.

Response
The Ministry of Justice Property Directorate, together with their service provider Government Facilities Services Limited, continue to maintain all services across the establishment to ensure prisoners are housed in suitable and decent accommodation. For the year 2021-2022 a total of £284,000 was spent on general maintenance. A significant amount of work has been carried out to improve both street and security lighting including an upgrade to LED systems. New heating boilers were recently installed in both the workshop block and Cosford Unit. A temporary kitchen has been installed to address a number of issues with the existing facility while a scheme is worked on for a new permanent facility. A project is underway to address a number of roof repairs.

Response
To improve prisoners’ access to employment on release HMPPS’ New Futures Network (NFN) is introducing new initiatives to all resettlement prisons in England and Wales, including HMP Hollesley Bay. This includes recruiting a Prison Employment Lead, who will work with the prisoners ahead of their release to support them to apply for job opportunities sourced by NFN. The Prison Employment Lead will be aided by an Identification Documents and Banking Administrator who will ensure all prisoners have access to the necessary requirements to apply for jobs. Prisons are also establishing Employment Hubs, which are a ‘job centre within a prison’ and will be a one-stop shop for prisoners to get information about jobs and receive help applying for them. Employment Advisory Boards are being established (run by local employers) and will advise the prison on the local labour market and skills needed.

Response
A significant amount of work has been carried out to improve both street and security lighting including an upgrade to LED systems.

Response
Given the focus on resettlement and reintegration into the community, male open prisons are not resourced to deliver key work. However, all men in the open estate will receive supervision from their Prison Offender Manager and Governors have continued to deliver a personal officer scheme or other support such as peer led schemes for prisoners. As part of HMPPS’ evaluation programme of Offender Management in Custody delivery, some small-scale research will be conducted within the male closed estate over the next six months and we will consider any learning about the benefits of key work.

Response
The composition of IMB Boards, including recruitment, is an area which has been identified by the IMB Secretariat and Management Board as being key in moving forward for the organisation. The IMB Secretariat has been trialling initiatives such as collaborative recruitment to increase numbers and the diversity of applicants. This will feed into lessons learnt which will help to form the basis of a future recruitment strategy.