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Standford Hill

AI-generated report summary 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.

Year: 2021 Published: 12 Oct 2021 Type: Prison · Cat D, YOI Population: 458 Recommendations: 2 Key concerns Positive findings
Original IMB report page ↗ Ministerial response · 12 Dec 2021 ↗

Safety statistics

Incidents during reporting year
IndicatorThis yearPrevious
Deaths in custody1—
Prisoner assaults3—
Drug finds33—

Positive findings

AI-generated summary
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

6 items
Healthcare Our main concern is over the death of Mr Rahman, the oversight by healthcare and whether such an incident could occur again. While we appreciate that prison management have to trust healthcare to supervise patients according to medical practice and protocols, the system clearly did not operate properly in this case and, though it is unclear whether this may have prevented his death, we believe he did not receive the requisite care following his discharge from hospital.
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. Source wording under review
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. Source wording under review
Food/Catering Standford Hill continues to have food brought from the kitchens at Swaleside, which is next door. Although there have, inevitably, been some issues with timing, there appear to have been fewer issues with menu choice, and the system has worked as well as possible given the circumstances. The proposed expansion of Standford Hill and the provision of its own kitchen and possibly a dining room should alleviate this on-going problem.
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. Source wording under review
Healthcare We still believe that the lack of soundproofing prevents discreet and confidential discussion when drugs are being dispensed, but our overall impression is that healthcare is effectively provided under the current regime.

Recommendations

2 items

Recommendation 1

Addressee: HMPPS

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.

Source text verified

Government 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.

Recorded status: Partial

Topic: Resettlement, Regime, Estate, Food

Recommendation 2

Addressee: Governor / Director

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.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Staffing, Education

Applications to the IMB

CategoryCurrentPrevious
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
2 Sep 2019 HMIP · Unannounced
— PPO fatal incident Stuart Cordner · Self-inflicted
28 Jun 2024 PPO fatal incident David Willis · Natural causes
13 Jun 2022 PPO fatal incident Trowbridge, Mark · Natural causes
31 Oct 2020 PPO fatal incident Individual at Standford Hill · Natural causes
1 Jul 2019 PPO fatal incident Individual at Standford Hill · Natural causes

Other reports for Standford Hill

2025 Published 1 Oct 2025 Population 457 · Concerns
2024 Published 29 Aug 2024 Population 461 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2023 Published 19 Sep 2023 Population 460 · Self-harm 0 · Concerns
2022 Published 27 Oct 2022 Population 499 · Concerns
2020 Published 25 Aug 2020 · Self-harm 2 · Concerns