Ford

I understand the Board’s concerns about the accommodation and plans to replace the billets. Due to the billets at HMP Ford failing fire safety inspections these were immediately taken out of use removing 275 prisoner places. An inspection of fire safety in modular buildings across the prison estate was also undertaken and lessons have been learned with a process of continuous review now in place to avoid a similar situation. Bespoke Containex-style temporary accommodation was provided to HMP Ford in January 2021 to offset the reduced prisoner places lost from the billets. These Containex-style units meet the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) standard size requirements to accommodate two prisoners and the original plan was for a number of these units to accommodate two prisoners. However, the Governor highlighted concerns that the accommodation and furniture was not sufficiently suitable or appropriate to house two prisoners such as only one desk and chair per unit and after a short period the units reverted to single occupancy. All accommodation at HMP Ford is now single occupancy and a programme is underway to replace the bunk beds in the Containex-style units with single beds which the Facilities Management provider is undertaking. To replace the billet accommodation, the Category D Expansion programme intends to deliver 420 places at HMP Ford in seven new accommodation units over the next two years. In addition, the prison is utilising additional investment to refurbish some communal areas on A Wing, such as shower rooms and kitchens which will improve the living accommodation for prisoners.

Turning to the Board’s concern about kitchen and laundry facilities, kitchen equipment is replaced as part of the asset replacement program or as it becomes beyond economical repair. Separate wing kitchen facilities with domestic equipment are repaired when reported and replaced by the prison as the need arises. Significant investment has now been made at HMP Ford and all issues relating to kitchen and washing machines have been addressed, which includes the purchase of washing machines across all residential units. The decision to pursue a lease agreement for washing machines was a local consideration by HMP Ford, as it offered a guaranteed four-hour site attendance to carryout repairs on any faulty machines and the replacement at no additional cost should a machine be beyond economical repair. HMP Ford has previously struggled with the domestic laundry provision and due to many prisoners Released on Temporary Licence to work outside the prison, access to laundry facilities is needed at unpredictable times to clean work clothing, this added to the prison’s requirements to ensure adequate provision.

Regarding the Board’s concern about the capacity changing at HMP Ford, the seven new units which are replacing the billets will be single-cell occupancy with integrated en-suite facilities, including a kitchenette and laundry room on each of the two floors. These new units will be supported with a package of ancillaries including a new healthcare centre. Discussions are ongoing between relevant stakeholders, including the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Prison Group Director, to consider the level which the prison could have its operational capacity appropriately increased to and will ensure that increases are appropriately staffed and there are sufficient activity places for an increased population.

I understand the Board’s concerns about the accommodation and plans to replace the billets. Due to the billets at HMP Ford failing fire safety inspections these were immediately taken out of use removing 275 prisoner places. An inspection of fire safety in modular buildings across the prison estate was also undertaken and lessons have been learned with a process of continuous review now in place to avoid a similar situation. Bespoke Containex-style temporary accommodation was provided to HMP Ford in January 2021 to offset the reduced prisoner places lost from the billets. These Containex-style units meet the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) standard size requirements to accommodate two prisoners and the original plan was for a number of these units to accommodate two prisoners. However, the Governor highlighted concerns that the accommodation and furniture was not sufficiently suitable or appropriate to house two prisoners such as only one desk and chair per unit and after a short period the units reverted to single occupancy. All accommodation at HMP Ford is now single occupancy and a programme is underway to replace the bunk beds in the Containex-style units with single beds which the Facilities Management provider is undertaking. To replace the billet accommodation, the Category D Expansion programme intends to deliver 420 places at HMP Ford in seven new accommodation units over the next two years. In addition, the prison is utilising additional investment to refurbish some communal areas on A Wing, such as shower rooms and kitchens which will improve the living accommodation for prisoners.

Further to last year’s response which set out the HMPPS security polices around prisoners accessing the internet, HMP Ford is one of two sites in a national pilot which is providing a cohort of prisoners the opportunity to fully access the internet. This access is assisting with further and higher education work, such as Open University and External College dissertations. IT training for prisoners at HMP Ford is also considered a key part of the resettlement journey and discussions have been initiated with Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Digital and Technology to look at other pilots including an internet café for job searches on release. In addition, the cabling issue in the ICT Academy has been addressed and is now in full working order.

Prison Officer and Operational Support Grade recruitment is centrally managed and MoJ Resourcing seeks to attract a wide and diverse mix of staff from all backgrounds which limits the prisons involvement in the recruitment. Recruitment campaigns for Prison Officers at HMP Ford, as for all other prisons are monitored and attraction is well in line with the demographics of the wider local community. However, it is recognised that the local community from which recruitment to HMP Ford is likely to take place is not reflective of the demographics of the prison population. The Governor has therefore placed an emphasis on strengthening Diversity & Inclusion work locally at the prison to ensure that prisoners receive equality of opportunity within the prison. In addition, where the prison has vacancies in roles where recruitment campaigns are undertaken locally the prison will always look to employ a diverse workforce.

Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) vehicle fleet is designed to carry the number of prisoners it is intended for, together with their property in line with the volumetric limit which is currently governed by Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 12/2011 – Prisoners’ Property. As part of the planning for the new PECS contract, which commenced in August 2020, property limits on transportation were reviewed with MoJ Policy and it was agreed that the new vehicle fleet would provide increased capacity to facilitate an additional half bag of property for consumables to the limit of 7.5kg. Whilst it is the responsibility of the sending prison to forward on any excess property a prisoner has accumulated, HMPPS is currently in the process of replacing the PSI with a new Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework which aims to ensure that property is handled with efficiency, care and respect and that staff and prisoners are clear on the arrangements in place. It will provide clear requirements and strengthens guidance on known problem areas. This includes providing stronger guidance to ensure volumetric control limits are respected, so that prisoners do not build up excessive amounts of property. The Framework is currently going through clearance processes and it is now anticipated that publication will take place this Summer. In addition, PSI 12/2011 - Prisoners’ Property, sets out that Governors must consider on a case-by-case basis items that arrive with a prisoner on transfer which are not permitted under the receiving prison’s facility list but were permitted at the previous prison. Unless the items are considered a risk to good order, discipline, security, safety or exceed volumetric control limits, the prisoner should normally be allowed to retain these items in possession. However, the fact that an item was allowed on this basis does not give the prisoner the right to replace it as any replacement must comply with the local facility list.

I was saddened to hear there was one death in custody during the reporting year due to natural causes. My officials take recommendations from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) very seriously and following a separate PPO report recommendation HMP Ford is working closely with the healthcare provider to ensure support is given to prisoners with long-term health conditions. A long-term conditions pathway is now in place and a local audit tool developed by the healthcare provider will provide assurance that pathways and care plans are in place alongside monitoring via the local clinical forum.