Safety statistics
Incidents during reporting year
Positive findings
AI-generated summary
The IMB is satisfied that staff and senior managers work hard to maintain a safe environment, with Frankland comparing favourably with other establishments in the LTHSE. The regime throughout the pandemic was considered fair and humane, with activities reintroduced as soon as safe. The dedication and professionalism of MPU staff, their multidisciplinary approach, and the progression of 10 prisoners from long-term segregation were welcomed. Staff-prisoner relationships are generally positive, and the senior management team is committed to fair and equitable treatment. Black History Month was celebrated, and chaplains provided impressive support during the pandemic. The kitchen delivers a good standard of meals, and the palliative care suite was re-certified. Education provision was rated as good, developing partnership working and allowing more accredited learning, even for those in segregation. The library services, provided by Durham Council, offer a huge number of books and resources, including foreign language materials. Purple Visits proved very popular and the visits area is well-run and supported by Nepacs.
Key concerns
9 items
Mental Health
Given the ageing prison population and a growing number of prisoners being diagnosed with dementia, can consideration now be given to providing an appropriate physical environment for this group of prisoners along with suitably qualified care workers (para 6.4)?
Other
Can HMPPS now expedite the completion of the prisoners’ property policy framework with particular focus on consistent, effective processes and rules that are easily understood (para 5.8)?
Estate/Conditions
Can HMPPS review the physical environment for healthcare, which is no longer sufficient for the size of the establishment?
Staffing
Can the relaunch of the key worker scheme be taken forward as soon as possible to include further staff training and additional management input where appropriate?
Healthcare
Waiting times for dental appointments were a particular concern.
Segregation
The IMB remains concerned that some prisoners remain in the unit [segregation] for over six months.
Staffing
The unit [OMU] is carrying three POM vacancies. It is therefore not surprising that there has been a backlog of OASys (offender assessment system) reviews.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
some sessions have still been cancelled due to low temperatures in the workshops. At time of writing only five of the nine workshop heaters had been replaced.
Education/Purposeful Activity
existing records were not backed up and were lost in the installation process [education server]
Recommendations
4 items
Addressee: Ministry of Justice
Given the ageing prison population and a growing number of prisoners being diagnosed with dementia, can consideration now be given to providing an appropriate physical environment for this group of prisoners along with suitably qualified care workers (para 6.4)?
Source text verified
Government responseHMP Durham has accessible cells on A wing and cells on B wing, E wing and the Healthcare centre which were compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (now replaced by the Equality Act 2010). In addition, an access lift is provided to the Healthcare centre due to its upper level location. It is acknowledged that the opportunities to increase the number of these cells has been limited due to the available funding from the national bid process being prioritised at HMP Durham on improvements to local heating systems and security within the Separation and Care Unit (SACU). The Victorian design of the prison is also a recognised challenge for adaption, particularly to modern heating systems and adequate control implementation, but heating improvements are in progress to F wing with installation of a new boiler plant. E wing has also been identified for a funding bid during 2022/23 to make further improvements. The on-going CRED programme is also making good improvements to in-cell conditions, such as those on B1 landing, with the rolling programme continuing throughout 2022 including replacement of poor lighting. In addition, ongoing work is taking place to replace broken toilet screens and funding has been provided to provide curtains to individual cells overseen by the local residential team.
Recorded status: In progress
Topic: Mental Health
Addressee: HMPPS
Can HMPPS now expedite the completion of the prisoners’ property policy framework with particular focus on consistent, effective processes and rules that are easily understood (para 5.8)?
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Other
Addressee: HMPPS
Can HMPPS review the physical environment for healthcare, which is no longer sufficient for the size of the establishment?
Source text verified
Government responseHMP Durham has accessible cells on A wing and cells on B wing, E wing and the Healthcare centre which were compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (now replaced by the Equality Act 2010). In addition, an access lift is provided to the Healthcare centre due to its upper level location. It is acknowledged that the opportunities to increase the number of these cells has been limited due to the available funding from the national bid process being prioritised at HMP Durham on improvements to local heating systems and security within the Separation and Care Unit (SACU). The Victorian design of the prison is also a recognised challenge for adaption, particularly to modern heating systems and adequate control implementation, but heating improvements are in progress to F wing with installation of a new boiler plant. E wing has also been identified for a funding bid during 2022/23 to make further improvements. The on-going CRED programme is also making good improvements to in-cell conditions, such as those on B1 landing, with the rolling programme continuing throughout 2022 including replacement of poor lighting. In addition, ongoing work is taking place to replace broken toilet screens and funding has been provided to provide curtains to individual cells overseen by the local residential team.
Recorded status: Noted
Topic: Healthcare
Addressee: Governor / Director
Can the relaunch of the key worker scheme be taken forward as soon as possible to include further staff training and additional management input where appropriate?
Source text verified
Recorded status:
Topic: Staffing
Related inspections & investigations
4 Mar 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 3
· Activity 3
· Release 3
13 Jan 2020
HMIP · Unannounced
Other reports for Frankland
2025
Published 18 Aug 2026
Population 813
· Concerns
2024
Published 27 May 2025
· Concerns
2023
Published 9 Oct 2024
Population 840
· Concerns
2022
Published 26 May 2023
Population 825
· Concerns