North Sea Camp

I appreciate the Board’s concern by the time taken to complete routine maintenance jobs, particularly during the pandemic. Work tasks are currently being prioritised to ensure statutory and mandatory compliance is met and where performance standards fall, financial deductions can be applied against the service provider. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Prison Maintenance Group (PMG) will work with the provider to improve reactive maintenance and will monitor all asset repairs and replacements to ensure value for public money. It is worth noting that assets will only be replaced when they reach beyond economical repair, where the only option is replacement.
Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) provide transportation for people in custody and their property. As part of the planning for the new PECS contract, PECS engaged with the Ministry of Justice Policy team to review property limits on the new transport vehicles and it was jointly agreed to facilitate an additional half bag of property for consumables to the limit of 7.5kg. HMPPS remains committed to looking at what more can be done to encourage people in prison to send out or dispose of excess items. Whilst it remains the responsibility of the sending prisons to forward on any excess property a person has accumulated to the receiving prison as soon as possible. HMPPS is continuing to take steps to ensure there is a consistent approach to the way this is handled. Digital improvements to property processes are being explored, but the nature of this work means that any digital changes are likely to be implemented in the long term. However, property identification numbers will now be entered on a digital platform rather than recorded by hand on the paper Person Escort Record. This will enable better tracking of property, should it be lost in transit. PECS will continue to monitor all aspects of the contractors' performance and on occasions where it fails to meet the agreed levels this will be raised with the contractor for improvement.

Since April 2021 the regime at HMP North Sea Camp has expanded rapidly and the prison has successfully progressed to Stage 1 of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-national-framework-for-prison-regimes-and-services (delivering a near normal regime).

The lack of appropriate and timely risk assessments by means of an OASys can impact a prisoner’s ability to apply for ROTL and then use successful ROTLs to evidence risk is manageable within the community.
The Offender Management Unit (OMU) is very conscious of how prisoners can experience delays and works hard to keep these to a minimum, greatly reducing the number of outstanding OASys for which the OMU is responsible. As the Board are aware, as part of preventative measures to help limit the spread of Covid-19 and protect the NHS, this resulted in no face-to-face contact with prisoners. This may have had an impact on how services provided by the OMU were perceived by prisoners. The service is now in recovery with prisoner contacts increasing which will assist with communication and working relationships. Particular attention is being paid to improving communication; this includes informing individuals of timescales for the completion of documentation supporting ROTL and other methods; such as introducing weekly open-door sessions where issues can be raised with the Community Offender Manager. There is an established escalation pathway which is rigorously followed where such delays occur.
ROTL remains an important and proven tool to support resettlement. HMPPS has worked closely throughout this period with public health authorities to re-introduce access when and where it is safe to do so. Prisons are resuming delivery of the full range of ROTL activities where agreed under local Regime Recovery Management Plans, considering any changing national and local conditions. The ROTL policy framework requires an outline ROTL plan to be in place within eight weeks of an individual’s arrival in open conditions, and, when the home probations area is consulted about a ROTL application, they must respond to the prison within four weeks.

HMP North Sea Camp has an active Equalities Action Team and necessary steps are taken to ensure that individuals are not disadvantaged because of their disabilities. Wherever reasonable adjustments are deemed necessary to enable access to facilities or services, those adjustments are made. HMPPS PMG will continue to support the Governor with projects that improve access for individuals who require bariatric wheelchairs / large mobility scooters. HMPPS Service Delivery Manager will also work with the Governor to find practical solutions to accessible issues across the site. A new mobility scooter charging shelter is due to be installed this financial year.

In response to the number of prisoners sharing dormitories, although there are no current plans to convert these into smaller rooms. HMPPS PMG will work with the Governor to seek funding for this project should it be deemed feasible.

The lack of appropriate and timely risk assessments by means of an OASys can impact a prisoner’s ability to apply for ROTL and then use successful ROTLs to evidence risk is manageable within the community.
The Offender Management Unit (OMU) is very conscious of how prisoners can experience delays and works hard to keep these to a minimum, greatly reducing the number of outstanding OASys for which the OMU is responsible. As the Board are aware, as part of preventative measures to help limit the spread of Covid-19 and protect the NHS, this resulted in no face-to-face contact with prisoners. This may have had an impact on how services provided by the OMU were perceived by prisoners. The service is now in recovery with prisoner contacts increasing which will assist with communication and working relationships. Particular attention is being paid to improving communication; this includes informing individuals of timescales for the completion of documentation supporting ROTL and other methods; such as introducing weekly open-door sessions where issues can be raised with the Community Offender Manager. There is an established escalation pathway which is rigorously followed where such delays occur.
ROTL remains an important and proven tool to support resettlement. HMPPS has worked closely throughout this period with public health authorities to re-introduce access when and where it is safe to do so. Prisons are resuming delivery of the full range of ROTL activities where agreed under local Regime Recovery Management Plans, considering any changing national and local conditions. The ROTL policy framework requires an outline ROTL plan to be in place within eight weeks of an individual’s arrival in open conditions, and, when the home probations area is consulted about a ROTL application, they must respond to the prison within four weeks.

I acknowledge the Board’s comments about the standards of the accommodation at HMP North Sea Camp. It is unfortunate that the newer accommodation is being removed due to ongoing fire safety work and the renovation plans to the disused houses on site have been cancelled due to concerns around the suitability of the houses. However, a full painting programme of work alongside reactive and planned maintenance work will help ensure accommodation is safe and decent and working areas are satisfactory for staff and visitors. Some of the temporary units are already of an excellent standard and well-liked by the prisoners. The temporary accommodation pods are due to be reconfigured in the coming months to make them more practical for prisoners to live in. By the end of the financial year, it is hoped HMP North Sea Camp will see an increase of temporary accommodation to 120 units, as well as improvements to the infrastructure creating office space and rooms suitable for association and as telephone booths.