Recommendation 1
To review the charges for prison telephone calls across the prison estate to reduce the unfair discrepancies that exist, and approve the installation of in-cell telephony in Huntercombe – see paragraphs 5.4.1 and 5.4.2.
Source · IMB Annual Report
Huntercombe
AI-generated report summary HMP Huntercombe, a Category C prison for foreign national men, successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic despite significant regime restrictions, with no deaths in custody and positive commendations for its healthcare team. The Board identified several areas for development, notably the unfairness of telephone charges and lack of in-cell telephony, and the concerning increase in time-served prisoners held under immigration powers. Issues surrounding meaningful vocational training and progression to open conditions for foreign national prisoners were also highlighted as key areas needing attention.
Year: 2020
Published: 6 Aug 2021
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 420
Recommendations: 7
Key concerns
Positive findings
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 115 | 127 |
| ACCT cases opened | 115 | 127 |
| Prisoner assaults | 70 | 87 |
| Use of force | 105 | 125 |
| Drug finds | 18 | — |
Positive findings
AI-generated summaryThe Board commend the efforts of the SMT, healthcare team and staff at Huntercombe for the consistent and effective management of the pandemic, which enabled the prison to be allowed to drop to Level 3 of the national regime in July. The prison has also made significant progress in addressing previous issues, including securing a resettlement budget, awarding a new kitchen contract, and renewing gym equipment. The number of outstanding OASys assessments was greatly reduced, and the Governor's initiative in rolling out video calls was highly successful, enabling over 4000 calls. The Board is satisfied that the prison is operated safely and reports no serious incidents during the year.
Key concerns
The lack of in-cell telephony throughout the prison and the high charges for telephone calls, particularly for overseas calls for foreign national prisoners, is a matter of unfairness for the prisoners.
Source wording under review
The increase in numbers throughout the year of time-served prisoners held under immigration powers (IS91s), due to a lack of suitable accommodation in the community or available spaces within immigration removal centres (IRCs), means men are held under conviction conditions when they should be on remand or released. This is neither fair nor humane and creates tensions within the establishment.
To introduce or renew practical and vocational contracts so that meaningful training and work that carries a recognised international qualification can be achieved – see section 7.2.
4 Under the HMPPS - HOIE service level agreement, the target time for IS91 paperwork to be served is 30 days prior to a prisoner’s CRD. However there have been instances in the reporting year when the IS91 notification has been served within one to two days of the CRD which, for many prisoners, can add to their frustration and anxiety.
The Board has concerns that the lack of progression to open prison conditions is both discriminatory and unfair – see paragraph 7.3.7.
The Board commend the staff who successfully maintain the unit in a safe and decent manner for all prisoners held in segregation, but believe that it is never ideal to locate prisoners on ACCTs within the unit, and that for those with serious mental health issues a better solution should be available to them which Huntercombe is unequipped to provide, rather than prolonged periods spent in the isolated environment of the segregation unit.
Staff/prisoner/bullying issues were a pattern of concern in complaints and applications, an area the Board was unable to sufficiently investigate due to limited physical contact and Board numbers.
Source wording under review
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
With Home Office colleagues, to resolve the issue around prisoners held under immigration powers post-sentence – see paragraphs 7.3.2. and 7.3.3.
Recommendation 3
To introduce or renew practical and vocational contracts so that meaningful training and work that carries a recognised international qualification can be achieved – see section 7.2.
Recommendation 4
To ensure that issuing prisoners with an IS91 notification operates in accordance with the time limits set out in the service level agreement (SLA) with Home Office immigration enforcement (HOIE) – see paragraph 7.3.4.
Recommendation 5
The Board has concerns that the lack of progression to open prison conditions is both discriminatory and unfair – see paragraph 7.3.7.
Recommendation 6
To continue the implementation of the incentives and earned privileges framework (IEP) introduced in January 2020 – see paragraph 5.6.1.
Recommendation 7
To investigate the possibility of improved technology across the prison to facilitate meetings and monitoring by the IMB in the event of a further lockdown situation.
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 8 | 15 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 2 | 6 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 1 | 8 |
| Equality | 1 | 2 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 2 | 4 |
| Food and kitchens | 2 | 1 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 9 | 16 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 4 | 7 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 9 | 14 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 1 | 22 |
| Property within this establishment | 2 | 6 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 2 | 7 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 14 | 15 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 17 | 26 |
| Transfers | 1 | 6 |
Other reports for Huntercombe
Population 491
· Self-harm 73
· Concerns
Population 491
· Self-harm 63
· Concerns
Population 470
· Concerns
Population 469
· Self-harm 96
· Concerns
Population 447
· Self-harm 100
· Concerns