Source · IMB Annual Report
Peterborough (Women)
Year: 2021
Published: 11 Oct 2021
Type: Prison · Cat Women's, YOI
Recommendations: 4
Key concerns
Positive findings
The reporting year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which HMP Peterborough (Women) managed the emergency well, leading to significant improvements in safety outcomes. However, the restrictive regime severely impacted women's wellbeing and rehabilitation. Key concerns remain regarding national support for complex needs women, the effectiveness of the key worker system, and the need to adapt the regime better to women's specific needs.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 1,014 | 1,676 |
| Prisoner assaults | 28 | 69 |
| Assaults on staff | 53 | 100 |
| Use of force | 279 | 315 |
Positive findings
The prison deserves considerable credit for the way in which the Covid-19 emergency has been managed. Strong leadership, flexibility, good communications and concerted effort have led to good safety outcomes for residents. The Board welcomes the significant improvements in safety during this period and an improved focus on diversity and inclusion. The improved medical triage process has led to reduced waiting times and non-attendance for appointments, improving outcomes for women.
Key concerns
Other
Repeated
The Board continues to see no evidence of proactive support from the national team for some complex residents (see section 4.4)
Staffing
The Board would like to see the restitution of a robust key work system whereby women are aware of this support and know their assigned key worker.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board would like to see further progress on adapting the prison’s regime and practice to suit the needs of women better.
Estate/Conditions
Concerns continue about the lack of cells which meet the needs of prisoners with disabilities.
Segregation
Repeated
Five residents exceeded 42 days’ segregation, with one resident held for a total of 181 days. This case very much highlighted the lack of alternative secure accommodation as outlined in our previous year’s annual report.
Healthcare
The dental service was suspended until January 2021, resulting in complaints from residents having to tolerate painful conditions.
Mental Health
This reporting year, there has been a shortfall in the establishment of two nurses, one psychiatrist and one psychologist.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The use of short sentences should be examined critically in terms of their effectiveness versus the impact on families and society. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | The Board continues to see no evidence of proactive support from the national team for some complex residents (see section 4.4) Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 3 | The Board would like to see the restitution of a robust key work system whereby women are aware of this support and know their assigned key worker. | Governor / Director | |
| 4 | The Board would like to see further progress on adapting the prison’s regime and practice to suit the needs of women better. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 17 | 23 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 4 | 11 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 0 | 4 |
| Equality | 6 | 5 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 7 | 15 |
| Food and kitchens | 2 | 4 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 47 | 53 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 16 | 57 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 1 | 25 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 4 | 9 |
| Property within this establishment | 45 | 32 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 8 | 25 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 13 | 23 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 41 | 65 |
| Transfers | 0 | 9 |
Other reports for Peterborough (Women)
Report details
- Establishment
- Peterborough (Women)
- Type
- Prison · Cat Women's, YOI
- Report year
- 2021
- Published
- 11 October 2021
- Responsible body
- Peterborough (women)
- Recommendations
- 4
Population
| Operational capacity | 372 |
| Time out of cell | 1.5h/day |
Service providers
Addiction support
Alcoholics Anonymous
Employment support
Job Centre Plus
GP service
Cimarron UK
Integrated substance misuse service
Sodexo Justice Services
Learning and skills provision
Sodexo Justice Services
Mental health support
MIND
Physical healthcare
Sodexo Justice Services
Primary and secondary mental healthcare services
Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Resettlement and banking
St. Giles Trust
Skills and employability support
Shaw Trust
Supported housing
BASS