Source · IMB Annual Report

Hatfield

Year: 2021 Published: 30 Nov 2021 Type: Prison · Cat D, YOI Population: 282 Key concerns Positive findings

HMP/YOI Hatfield operated safely and humanely during a challenging year (Apr 2020 - Mar 2021) impacted by COVID-19. The Board found healthcare, education, work provision, and resettlement efforts to be good, despite pandemic restrictions. Staff morale remained high and strong leadership was noted. Key challenges included the impact of COVID-19 on ROTL and family visits, property issues on transfer, and reduced face-to-face service for some healthcare and equality functions.

Safety statistics

Incidents during reporting year
IndicatorThis yearPrevious
Deaths in custody0
Self-harm incidents1
Prisoner assaults2
Assaults on staff1
Use of force6
Drug finds34

Positive findings

The IMB reported that HMP/YOI Hatfield remained a safe environment for both prisoners and staff throughout the challenging reporting year. The Board commended the Governor and staff for their hard work, commitment, and strong leadership which maintained high morale and positive working practices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant investment in fire safety improvements and a planned new accommodation unit for D and E blocks were welcomed. Physical and mental healthcare, education, work opportunities, and resettlement support were found to be well-managed and effective. The prison also innovatively adapted to COVID-19 restrictions, for example, by accommodating Parole Hearings via secure video link or telephone.

Key concerns

7 items
Regime/Time Out of Cell COVID-19 has had a significant impact on ROTL over the year and consequently on Parole Boards.
Estate/Conditions Repeated Units D and E are to be demolished... The previous units were in constant need of repair and maintenance.
Resettlement/Release Property can be an issue for prisoners transferring into Hatfield from closed establishments. Escort contractors bring only a fixed number of bags with the prisoner and on occasion some property is left behind.
Other IMB visits to the establishment was minimal due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Healthcare Healthcare delivery provision was equivalent to what service users experienced in the Community throughout the COVID-19 restrictions, with routine clinical reviews of Long-Term Conditions (LTC) suspended. There was some delay in appointments for Hospital Outpatient referrals, with a two week wait for urgent/emergency appointments.
Healthcare Access to the Dental Service via HMP Moorland ceased in March 2020. Alternatively, a Dental Practice in Barnsley offered a telephone triage service and provided a service to urgent cases only.
Equality/Diversity Equality and Fairness committee... during the pandemic the meeting had to be suspended.

Applications to the IMB

CategoryCurrentPrevious
Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions 2
Finance, including pay, private monies, spends 1
Health, including physical, mental, social care 1
Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions 1
Property during transfer or in another establishment or location 1
Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell 2
Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, re-categorisation 2
Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying 2
Transfers 2

Related inspections & investigations

15 Jul 2024 HMIP · Unannounced Safety 4 · Respect 4 · Activity 4 · Release 4
PPO fatal incident Stewart Williamson
31 Jul 2021 PPO fatal incident Individual at Hatfield · Other non-natural
15 Dec 2017 PPO fatal incident Individual at Hatfield · Natural causes
7 Jan 2017 PPO fatal incident Individual at Hatfield · Other non-natural
24 Aug 2015 PPO fatal incident Individual at Hatfield · Natural causes

Other reports for Hatfield

2025 Published 11 Mar 2026 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2024 Published 19 Dec 2024 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2023 Published 7 Feb 2024 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2022 Published 19 Dec 2022 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns

Report details

Establishment
Hatfield
Type
Prison · Cat D, YOI
Report year
2021
Published
30 November 2021
Responsible body
HMP Hatfield
MoJ rating (2024/25)
4 — Outstanding

Population

Population282
CNA (designed for)378 75%

Service providers

Education
NOVUS
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group
Library
Doncaster Council
Maintenance
AMEY
Resettlement accommodation support
NACRO
Resettlement preparation and support
Advanced Personnel Management
Social Services
Doncaster Council

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