Source · IMB Annual Report
Warren Hill
Year: 2021
Published: 2 Nov 2021
Type: Prison · Cat C
Recommendations: 5
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Warren Hill, a Category C adult male prison with an operational capacity of 262, is generally considered safe and treats prisoners with respect, despite the significant challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic during the reporting period (June 2020 – May 2021). The regime was severely curtailed, with reduced time out of cell and suspension of education and therapy, yet staff maintained relationships and prisoner wellbeing was supported. Key concerns include the poor quality of food, delays in property policy reform, and missed opportunities for in-cell technology, though progress was noted on an approved premises and a disabled cell.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 0 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 0 | — |
| Use of force | 0 | — |
Positive findings
Warren Hill is considered a safe prison where prisoners are treated with respect and their wellbeing is well supported. Healthcare provision is generally good, and the IMB commends the efforts of staff to maintain relationships during restrictions. Positive developments include the nearing completion of an on-site approved premises and a disabled-accessible cell. The board also noted resilience among prisoners and excellent faith and pastoral support.
Key concerns
Food/Catering
The ongoing difficulties with the provision and quality of the food provided by the HMP Hollesley Bay kitchen. A major problem occurred in November 2020 when the remains of a dead mouse were found burned on to the elements of a heated trolley. The IMB considers that this situation can only be resolved in the long term by investment in a kitchen at Warren Hill.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
It remains a matter of concern that the long-awaited review of the handling of prisoners’ property has still not been published. This Board appreciates that delays in circulating a draft policy framework on property have occurred as a result of the pandemic but hopes that as restrictions ease, a comprehensive policy framework will be published in the near future.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board notes with regret that the opportunity was not being taken to install in-cell laptops at the same time as the planned in-cell telephony upgrade, which would allow prisoners to access canteen ordering, make applications and support learning.
Estate/Conditions
An ongoing concern is that some doors do not have an adequate aperture to allow hoses to be inserted in case of fire. The Governor had hoped that this work would be completed in the last financial year, but it has not yet happened. Additionally, in the older parts of the prison, the windows are ill-fitting, and the funding which was made available to fit replacements has been withdrawn.
Equality/Diversity
Progress on converting two rooms in Sycamore unit to a wheelchair accessible room and wet room has been very slow and at the end of the reporting period is still some way from completion.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board fully acknowledges that the Governor has been unable to proceed with plans to extend purposeful activity and to extend the release on temporary licence (ROTL) scheme because of the pandemic. However, as restrictions ease the IMB would like to see these plans revived.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | While this prison has received fewer complaints about the movement of property in the year to the end of May 2021, it remains a matter of concern that the long-awaited review of the handling of prisoners’ property has still not been published. This Board appreciates that delays in circulating a draft policy framework on property have occurred as a result of the pandemic but hopes that as restrictions ease, a comprehensive policy framework will be published in the near future (section 5.8). Repeated | Other | |
| 2 | The Board is pleased that the long-awaited upgrade in telephone and information technology data lines have been undertaken and that plans are well advanced for the installation of in-cell telephony at Warren Hill. However, the Board notes with regret that the opportunity was not being taken to install in-cell laptops at the same time (see section 7.4.3). | HMPPS | |
| 3 | The Board has noted with much concern the ongoing difficulties with the provision of food from the Hollesley Bay kitchens and asks the Prison Service to examine the provision of a kitchen on the Warren Hill site (see section 5.1). | HMPPS | |
| 4 | The Board fully acknowledges that the Governor has been unable to proceed with plans to extend purposeful activity and to extend the release on temporary licence (ROTL) scheme because of the pandemic. However, as restrictions ease the IMB would like to see these plans revived. | Governor / Director | |
| 5 | The Board also recognises that the prolonged lockdown has provided an opportunity to look at the regime at Warren Hill and hopes that the Governor will use this to implement positive changes. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 1 | 0 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | 0 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 2 | 3 |
| Equality | 1 | 2 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 0 | 2 |
| Food and kitchens | 6 | 4 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 8 | 4 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 4 | 4 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 2 | 2 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 4 | 8 |
| Property within this establishment | 0 | 1 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 0 | 1 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 2 | 4 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 0 | 2 |
| Transfers | 0 | 0 |
Related inspections & investigations
Other reports for Warren Hill
Report details
- Establishment
- Warren Hill
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2021
- Published
- 2 November 2021
- Responsible body
- HMP Warren Hill
- Recommendations
- 5
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Operational capacity | 262 |
| CNA (designed for) | 258 |
| Time out of cell | 3.0h/day |
Service providers
Advice and guidance
Forward Trust
Education
PeoplePlus
Healthcare
Practice Plus
Maintenance
GFSL (Government Facilities Services Ltd)
Substance abuse support
Phoenix Futures