Manchester

The Board welcomed the response by the Minister to their report last year and was pleased to learn that the bid for funding to install secure windows at HMP Manchester had been successful. The Board notes however that this priority work at the time of writing this report has not commenced and would therefore ask the Minister when this will happen?

I understand the Board’s concern that the installation of secure windows has not commenced yet. The project has been progressing with a feasibility study completed to support planning and the project has been identified as part of the 2021/22 capital delivery programme approved by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The project is currently at the outline business case stage with the current projected timeline anticipating work commencing on site at HMP Manchester in August/September 2022 which will allow the completion of the business case approval, tender evaluation and the commercial agreement process.

In the previous annual report, the Board raised concerns about prisoners who spend prolonged periods on constant watch, sometimes in segregation. This formed part of the larger issue of management of prisoners in jail whilst they are waiting to be transferred to a secure hospital. The waiting time often lasts months. The Board acknowledges comments made by the Minister last year outlining the current ongoing work to help make the process quicker. Unfortunately, this year the Board has not seen any progress. Whilst the Board understands that some changes will not take place immediately, the Board would like to know what action is being taken in the interim period, what support is being offered to the prisoners now and what support is offered to jail when managing prisoners who should managed in a hospital environment?

Turning to the Board’s continued concerns for those prisoners with mental ill health awaiting transfer to a secure hospital I can assure the Board that the Government is determined to improve the transfer process. The Government is committed to introducing a new statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers to mental health hospitals from custody which was proposed in the White Paper on Reforming the Mental Health Act published in January 2021. This will be commenced once the new NHS England and NHS Improvement good practice guidance is fully embedded which was published on 10 June 2021 and promotes the timely access to appropriate treatment and reduces unnecessary delays - https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/guidance-for-the-transfer-and-remission-of-adult-prisonersandimmigration-removal-centre-detainees-under-the-mental-health-act-1983.
It is acknowledged that there have been delays in access to secure mental health hospitals due to a lack of suitable beds on appropriate admission wards relating to unprecedented demand across all communities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The relevant units are currently restoring and recovering routine levels of service where possible and NHS commissioners will continue to support mental health services and HMP Manchester when there are difficulties in achieving transfers in a timely way. Prisoners waiting for transfer are fully supported by the mental health team at the prison until the transfer is achieved and resolution of delays is given the highest priority. In addition, new performance metrics have been developed by NHS England and NHS Improvement to monitor referrals, assessments and transfers under the Mental Health Act. These commenced in April 2021 and work is ongoing to improve consistency and quality. Work is also developing the whole-pathway approach to the care of offenders including diverting them from the criminal justice system where appropriate, and reconnecting those leaving custody with health services in the community.
Due to the complex needs and behaviour of some prisoners, segregation for their own safety or the safety of others may be necessary whilst awaiting a transfer to secure hospital under the Mental Health Act. However, segregation is always used as a last resort and following robust decision logs and safety algorithms led by the health provider, as well as regular multidisciplinary reviews taking place, to meet the individual’s needs, whilst ensuring safety, vulnerability and risks are managed. Every effort is made to expedite transfers and Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust, HMP Manchester and the Directorate of Security continues to work collaboratively to access secure hospital beds where appropriate.

Is HMPPS considering the introduction of a stricter process for recording prisoner property through the use of photographs as opposed to hand written descriptions by officers on property cards to address the number of complaints and provide reassurance to prisoners regarding their property?

Following the pause in the development of the new Prisoners’ Property policy framework due to Covid-19 mentioned in the previous response to the Board, feedback received from IMB members has been considered alongside the comments received from other stakeholders, and comments from subsequent operational engagement. HMPPS has now circulated the draft framework with internal and external stakeholders, including the IMB Secretariat and the IMB representatives previously consulted, and the large number of comments received are being considered. As a result, the framework is expected to be published early in 2022. The new framework will seek to ensure that property is handled with efficiency, care and respect and that staff and prisoners are clear on the arrangements in place. It provides clear requirements and strengthens guidance on known problem areas. This includes providing stronger guidance on the correct procedures for completing prisoners’ property cards. The introduction of digitally recorded Person Escort Records will also enable better tracking of property in transit with Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) suppliers and will assist with investigating the few complaints PECS receives about lost property. Locally HMP Manchester is also conducting a property summit which is seeking feedback from staff, prisoners, families of prisoners and other partner organisations. This will be used to implement changes in the local property processes and a local property task force is being setup to deliver the summit outcomes.

The Board would advise that it continues to have concerns about the security of prisoners’ property. This applies particularly where prisoners are moving internally between wings at HMP Manchester and when prisoners arrive on transfer from other prisons. Although it is now a requirement for staff at HMP Manchester to use Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVCs) during cell clearances, the Board understands that this is not happening for every clearance. The Board further understands that after cells have been cleared they are left unlocked and therefore any overlooked property is unprotected, presenting an opportunity for it to go missing. Would the Governor please confirm what measures are being introduced to ensure improved practices are adopted to mitigate the loss of prisoner property?

Following the pause in the development of the new Prisoners’ Property policy framework due to Covid-19 mentioned in the previous response to the Board, feedback received from IMB members has been considered alongside the comments received from other stakeholders, and comments from subsequent operational engagement. HMPPS has now circulated the draft framework with internal and external stakeholders, including the IMB Secretariat and the IMB representatives previously consulted, and the large number of comments received are being considered. As a result, the framework is expected to be published early in 2022. The new framework will seek to ensure that property is handled with efficiency, care and respect and that staff and prisoners are clear on the arrangements in place. It provides clear requirements and strengthens guidance on known problem areas. This includes providing stronger guidance on the correct procedures for completing prisoners’ property cards. The introduction of digitally recorded Person Escort Records will also enable better tracking of property in transit with Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) suppliers and will assist with investigating the few complaints PECS receives about lost property. Locally HMP Manchester is also conducting a property summit which is seeking feedback from staff, prisoners, families of prisoners and other partner organisations. This will be used to implement changes in the local property processes and a local property task force is being setup to deliver the summit outcomes.

The Board has also noted an increase in applications relating to prisoners being permitted to order items directly from the catalogue but finding when these items arrive that they do not meet the criteria as permitted items in the prison. In addition, prisoners at HMP Manchester are restricted to receiving permitted additional items during their 6 month property window, causing further frustration as the same rules do not apply in other prisons from which a number have transferred. Would the Governor confirm if existing processes in relation to prisoner property is to be reviewed to permit HMP Manchester to operate consistently with other Category B establishments?

Following the pause in the development of the new Prisoners’ Property policy framework due to Covid-19 mentioned in the previous response to the Board, feedback received from IMB members has been considered alongside the comments received from other stakeholders, and comments from subsequent operational engagement. HMPPS has now circulated the draft framework with internal and external stakeholders, including the IMB Secretariat and the IMB representatives previously consulted, and the large number of comments received are being considered. As a result, the framework is expected to be published early in 2022. The new framework will seek to ensure that property is handled with efficiency, care and respect and that staff and prisoners are clear on the arrangements in place. It provides clear requirements and strengthens guidance on known problem areas. This includes providing stronger guidance on the correct procedures for completing prisoners’ property cards. The introduction of digitally recorded Person Escort Records will also enable better tracking of property in transit with Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) suppliers and will assist with investigating the few complaints PECS receives about lost property. Locally HMP Manchester is also conducting a property summit which is seeking feedback from staff, prisoners, families of prisoners and other partner organisations. This will be used to implement changes in the local property processes and a local property task force is being setup to deliver the summit outcomes.

The Board has also observed a case of a prisoner with learning difficulties and would like to clarify what the provisions are for such prisoners? The prisoner has learning difficulties and very low IQ and has been waiting for a suitable facility for over a year whilst being managed between healthcare and segregation units in the jail.

Turning to the Board’s continued concerns for those prisoners with mental ill health awaiting transfer to a secure hospital I can assure the Board that the Government is determined to improve the transfer process. The Government is committed to introducing a new statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers to mental health hospitals from custody which was proposed in the White Paper on Reforming the Mental Health Act published in January 2021. This will be commenced once the new NHS England and NHS Improvement good practice guidance is fully embedded which was published on 10 June 2021 and promotes the timely access to appropriate treatment and reduces unnecessary delays - https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/guidance-for-the-transfer-and-remission-of-adult-prisonersandimmigration-removal-centre-detainees-under-the-mental-health-act-1983.
It is acknowledged that there have been delays in access to secure mental health hospitals due to a lack of suitable beds on appropriate admission wards relating to unprecedented demand across all communities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The relevant units are currently restoring and recovering routine levels of service where possible and NHS commissioners will continue to support mental health services and HMP Manchester when there are difficulties in achieving transfers in a timely way. Prisoners waiting for transfer are fully supported by the mental health team at the prison until the transfer is achieved and resolution of delays is given the highest priority. In addition, new performance metrics have been developed by NHS England and NHS Improvement to monitor referrals, assessments and transfers under the Mental Health Act. These commenced in April 2021 and work is ongoing to improve consistency and quality. Work is also developing the whole-pathway approach to the care of offenders including diverting them from the criminal justice system where appropriate, and reconnecting those leaving custody with health services in the community.
Due to the complex needs and behaviour of some prisoners, segregation for their own safety or the safety of others may be necessary whilst awaiting a transfer to secure hospital under the Mental Health Act. However, segregation is always used as a last resort and following robust decision logs and safety algorithms led by the health provider, as well as regular multidisciplinary reviews taking place, to meet the individual’s needs, whilst ensuring safety, vulnerability and risks are managed. Every effort is made to expedite transfers and Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust, HMP Manchester and the Directorate of Security continues to work collaboratively to access secure hospital beds where appropriate.

The Board notes the increase in the number of packages containing illegal substances being thrown over the perimeter wall into the prison. What measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of prisoners accessing packages whilst on exercise?