Source · IMB Annual Report
Standford Hill
Year: 2021
Published: 12 Oct 2021
Type: Prison · Cat D, YOI
Population: 458
Recommendations: 2
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP/YOI Standford Hill maintained a well-run, humane prison with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, despite significant challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board commended staff dedication and positive prison culture, but raised concerns about healthcare provision following a death in custody, the lack of an internet room, and reliance on external kitchen facilities. The pandemic severely restricted regime activities and purposeful activity, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 1 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 3 | — |
| Drug finds | 33 | — |
Positive findings
HMP Standford Hill was found to be a very well-run prison with good morale among prisoners and staff, even amidst the pandemic. The strong emphasis on rehabilitation is credited with exceptionally low reoffending rates. Relations between staff and prisoners remained good, with the prison demonstrating sensitivity and inclusivity towards diverse prisoner needs. Healthcare staff are dedicated, and the internal complaints system functions effectively. The prison also maintains its estate well, with ongoing improvements like new accommodation pods and laundry equipment.
Key concerns
Healthcare
The death of Mr Rahman and the inadequate healthcare oversight surrounding his discharge from hospital, raising concerns about recurrence.
Healthcare
The absence of 24/7 onsite healthcare cover, particularly at weekends, with officers performing welfare checks, which the Board remains concerned about despite prison management's satisfaction.
Resettlement/Release
The lack of an internet room for prisoners to plan their futures, prepare CVs, and maintain family links, which is crucial for successful resettlement.
Food/Catering
The reliance on HMP Swaleside for food provision and the absence of Standford Hill's own kitchen facilities and a dining room.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The severe impact of Covid-19 restrictions on purposeful activity, ROTL, education, and family visits, leading to prolonged inactivity, distress, and hindering progression and resettlement plans.
Healthcare
The lack of soundproofing in the healthcare centre preventing discreet and confidential discussions during medication dispensing.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The proposed expansion of Standford Hill is to be welcomed, particularly the provision of onsite kitchen facilities. We also believe that the effectiveness of the prison and its rehabilitation programme would be enhanced if an internet room could be created for prisoners to plan their futures and communicate with future employers. We believe that, with the creation of a kitchen, prison life would be enhanced by the provision of a dining room.
Response
Regarding the proposed expansion of the prison, I am advised that the new kitchen and dining hall, with a capacity to hold up to 200 people, is expected to be completed in July 2022 and this will open new avenues for men to gain qualifications in catering. The introduction of an internet room has been discussed at length through the Open Prisons forum. However, due to security concerns, this cannot progress any further. An internet facility is available within the Old Mill Village for risk assessed men to conduct job searches for outside employment, prepare CVs and communicate with future employers. |
HMPPS | Partial |
| 2 | The last year has inevitably slowed the focus on instituting an NVQ qualification for staff working in the gardens, but this is an objective we believe should be pursued. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 1 | 0 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | — |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 4 | 5 |
| Equality | 1 | — |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | — |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 1 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 1 | 4 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 1 | — |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 1 | — |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 9 | — |
| Property within this establishment | 3 | — |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 1 | 5 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 10 | — |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 5 | — |
| Total number of applications | 4 | 47 |
| Transfers | 1 | — |
Related inspections & investigations
8 Oct 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 3
· Activity 4
· Release 4
Other reports for Standford Hill
Report details
- Establishment
- Standford Hill
- Type
- Prison · Cat D, YOI
- Report year
- 2021
- Published
- 12 October 2021
- Responsible body
- HMP Standford Hill
- Recommendations
- 2
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 458 |
| CNA (designed for) | 464 99% |
Service providers
Healthcare
Integrated Care 24
Social Care
Kent County Council Adult Social Services
Substance Misuse
The Forward Trust