Coldingley

Would the Minister please advise the Board what the current plans are for addressing this issue?

I note the Board’s continued concerns about prisoners serving indeterminate sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) who are now considerably over their tariff period. I am also aware these issues have been raised by other IMB Boards. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is committed to doing all it can to support the progression of these prisoners. As the Board may be aware, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act abolished the IPP sentence in late 2012, but this was not applied retrospectively. To re-sentence these individuals would result in prisoners who are still assessed as dangerous being released into the community and would expose the public to considerable risk of serious harm. I am, however, looking into IPPs at the onset of my appointment. This is not a simple task, and HMPPS continues to work with these individuals to offer them opportunities to reduce their identified risks. For these reasons, there are some prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have spent a significant number of years in custody after completing their tariff. There are a broad range of work streams, aimed at both the progression towards a safe release, and towards the sustainability of that release, following a positive parole outcome. These efforts have, in recent years, delivered a substantial reduction in the number of IPP prisoners who have never been released. That number stood at 1,661 at the end of September 2021. This is down from 1,895 at the end of September 2020 (a 234 reduction). All indeterminate sentenced prisoners (ISPs) should be located at the establishment best placed to meet their sentence planning needs in terms of interventions, and prisons will seek out suitable locations for ISPs who are assessed as needing to access certain interventions in other prisons, as promptly as is reasonably possible. ISPs may have their parole reviewed at least every two years, depending on the specifics of individual cases, and may transfer during a parole review if it is to access a progression opportunity and providing it does not disrupt an impending parole hearing date. Prisons will otherwise seek out opportunities to progress their indeterminate prisoners at the earliest opportunity following the conclusion of a parole review to increase the chances of a timely and successful transfer. Locally at HMP Coldingley, although the IPP forum, the local initiative introduced by the Senior Probation Officer unfortunately has come to an end, the monthly multi-disciplinary panel meetings consisting of external enforcement law partners will recommence shortly (as the prison transitions over the coming months to Stage 1 of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services). This will provide an opportunity for prisoners to discuss the challenges faced and provide some hope through the information they receive. Strong relationships have also been developed with staff at those prisons facilitating progressive regimes who are responsible for providing support and care, resulting in a demonstrable reduction in those serving this category of sentence.

Would the Prison Service please confirm that priority will be given in terms of resource allocation (such as effective CCTV) to keeping prisoners safe and free from bullying?

In terms of allocating resources to help keep prisoners safe, Governors can bid for capital projects (below £150,000) on an annual basis, to enhance their prison across priority areas including security, safety, decency and reducing reoffending.
As the Board have identified, HMP Coldingley saw an increase in assaults from 2019 to 2020. However, as with other prisons nationally, violence has decreased since the start of the pandemic and the overall number of all violent incidents experienced has been lower than previous years. This trend commenced before national lockdown. The Safety team now investigates all incidents, with external colleagues BELONG completing a minimum of 50% post incident debriefs.
As mentioned in last year’s response to the Board, unfortunately the older style wings built in 1969 have rather low ceilings. HMP Coldingley has been allocated funding for a new state of the art CCTV system. The project has part completed and once the major programme of works projects begins in January 2022 and the first wing is decanted, all options will be explored.
HMPPS has created a new policy framework on CCTV which will govern how CCTV is managed in prisons and probation settings to help prevent and detect crime and contribute to the safety and security of prisons across the estate.

Would HMPPS consider allowing individual prison Governors increased delegated powers to progress more rapidly if local infection levels allow?

HMPPS is supporting prisons to expand regimes and progress as rapidly through the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services as local risks levels permit. At Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the National Framework, Governors have significantly increased scope to deliver a regime which is shaped around their establishment’s specific needs. More broadly, HMPPS continues to keep under review the balance of responsibilities across different areas and different levels of the organisation.

The Board trusts that the Governor will continue to press for commencement of the major refurbishment promised for the prison.

The major programme of work is on track to start in January 2022 and is expected to run through to early 2026.

The Board also hopes that the option of video calls will be maintained once social visits return to full capacity as many relatives, particularly those with young children, find it difficult to access the prison.