Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The Board reiterates this year that the kitchen at Swaleside was originally designed to cater for about 650 residents, and was upgraded in its early years to allow for some expansion. However, a further problem arises in having to cater additionally for residents at HMP Standford Hill, bringing the total number of meals prepared to around 3000 daily. The Board understands that new kitchens at Standford Hill are budgeted for, but the work still has not begun. (see section 5.1)
Complaints/Property
However, all Confidential Access forms when addressed to the Governor remain unrecorded by the Complaints Clerk, whose database we have access to. This means that the majority of Comp 2s, including the most serious (all of those making allegations against staff), are not monitored by IMB. This has been raised with the Governor, but the matter remains unresolved as the forms are considered confidential to HMPPS under GDPR. We would challenge this as under Prison Rules we should have access to all records of the prison. The Board asserts its right to have this access. Confidential complaint monitoring is essential to ensure an awareness of problem areas in the establishment and the Board requires a solution to be found for the issue.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The Board reiterates its statement that Swaleside cannot provide adequate resettlement services for residents released into the community. If these numbers continue to rise then more funding will be needed, otherwise these residents should be transferred to a local prison within a reasonable timescale for their release.
Other
The Board has major concerns that it may not be able to carry out its monitoring function satisfactorily with the imposed reduction in rota visits.
Equality/Diversity
Inequality of opportunity persists for MCOSO and vulnerable residents, particularly regarding access to activities, employment, common facilities, and education courses, despite some progress.
Source wording under review
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Workshops at Swaleside were originally designed to support a prison with four wings. Swaleside now has eight wings with an operational capacity of 1111. This results in an unacceptably low level of real employment and continued lack of vocational training, which should be remedied by creating more meaningful work for residents, post pandemic. (see section 7.2).
Healthcare
The lack of in-cell telephony in the Inpatients Department (IPD) remains unaddressed due to delays, disadvantaging residents with limited call times compared to other wings.
Source wording under review
Healthcare
The continued occupancy of the life limited room in Healthcare by one paraplegic resident whose needs are different, whilst there are a number of other residents who qualify for the use of this room.
Mental Health
The Board has concerns over the mental health of the residents generally, with instances of self-harm rising, though, significantly, a small number of residents are responsible for a large number of repeat occurrences. There is also a view that as the regime starts to loosen, there will be an increase in incidents related to debt as the residents again start to interact. This is undoubtedly preying on the minds of some residents. There are some issues that are recurring. There are not enough Body Worn Cameras to go round all uniformed staff – this must be addressed in order to properly establish facts after any incidents. Several of the six lifts around the prison are very often out of order due to lack of parts.
Safety
The lack of sufficient Body Worn Cameras for staff needs addressing to properly establish facts after incidents, as evidenced by several cases where no cameras were available.
Source wording under review
Staffing
There is some concern regarding the pressure placed on public protection staff given in-cell telephony and Purple Visits. (see sections 4.4 and 7.4)
Safety
The continued downward trends in safety measures are noted, however, at the very end of the reporting period there has been evidence that assaults against staff and incidents of self-harm have risen. These figures need analysis in order to establish the cause and prevent any upward trend setting in. (see sections 4.2 and 4.3)
Substance Misuse
The rising trend in the manufacture of alcoholic substances needs to be addressed.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
CSRU runs and coordinates adjudications for the whole establishment and it is of concern that such a high proportion of adjudications do not proceed – largely because they are ruled ‘out of time’. In one instance two serious charges that were sent to the police were not able to be processed because when they were returned by police (who did not proceed), the charge had not been remanded in the prison on time. The total number of adjudications ‘dismissed’ or ‘Not proceeded with’ for the reporting period was 306 (16%).
Estate/Conditions
There must be long-term stability in the services to H wing. Heating and sewerage problems have occurred this year and it is hoped that solutions are permanent. (see sections 3.2 and 5.1)
Staffing
Efforts must be made to increase the levels of Keywork. This proved itself to be extremely beneficial and will be fundamental to addressing the issues that could result in self-harm and violence post-COVID. (see sections 3.2 and 5.3)
Complaints/Property
The Board asks the Governor to note the high level of applications we have received complaining about staff. These should have translated into complaints sent to him and the DDC, and are at a much higher level than last year. (see section 8)