Lancaster Farms

To reconsider and improve the strategies available to the prison to manage and reduce the number of incidents of self-harm, particularly among the small number of prisoners who frequently self-harm and could be assessed as demonstrating severe mental health difficulties (paragraphs 4.2.2, 6.3.5).

Further to last year’s response regarding self-harm, I understand the Board’s ongoing concerns particularly around those who frequently harm themselves. Revised and improved Introduction to Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention (SASH) training has been rolled out for new and existing staff. Additionally, HMPPS has developed new safety training due to be launched soon and is developing an enhanced mental health training package for staff supporting complex individuals. This will include the impact of learning disability or autism, brain injury, substance misuse and trauma for on mental health.
Following the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the delivery of key work, HMPPS is now supporting establishments to resume regular key work sessions across the estate. This gives staff dedicated time to provide support to individual prisoners and build effective relationships with those in our care. HMPPS has recently rolled-out a revised version of the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) case management system used in prisons to support people at risk of suicide and self-harm. This should provide a better framework for supporting those at risk of self-harm through a more tailored and multi-disciplinary support model that focuses on the needs of the individual.

To review the level of staffing and facilities associated with the provision of mental health services within the prison (6.3.2).

NHS England has supported a review of mental health delivery at the prison by the current provider. The review recommended the implementation of enhancements to the service, including new models of care, enhanced staffing and additional resources. These recommendations have been approved, and the provider will move forward with the enhancements outlined. NHS England will continue to monitor the development of mental health services at HMP Lancaster Farms as plans are implemented.

To conduct a wide-ranging review of all aspects of the response by the Prison Service to the pandemic, aiming to improve the fair and humane treatment of prisoners and their preparation for release by addressing a number of key issues raised in this report such as the provision of (and incentivisation of) in-cell education (7.1.4), the availability and effectiveness of “Purple Visits” (7.4.5), and the rapid deployment of PPE, testing and other measures to reduce infection risk (3.1.2).

Throughout the pandemic HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has been capturing and sharing lessons learned and we continue to gather and share a range of information, including feedback from scrutiny bodies, staff, those in our care and the voluntary sector. We are feeding learning into prison safety and wellbeing initiatives, regime redesign, and planning and ongoing mitigations for prisoners. Prisons are also using lessons learned from the pandemic to adapt provision, reinforce fair and decent behaviours, and to show visible leadership.
HMPPS’ Scrutiny and Intelligence Unit also routinely reviews external scrutiny and internal assurance reports to draw out good practice and themes which are communicated to prisons and more widely across HMPPS. They also identify where lessons could be learned or implemented more effectively. Good practice and the areas requiring improvement are reported each month to the Prison Performance Committee to further ensure best practices and lessons learned are maintained among prisons. This covers all aspects of HMPPS’ response to the pandemic including in-cell education, secure video calling, personal protective equipment and testing and other infection reduction measures. My letter to Dame Anne Owers details much of HMPPS’ pandemic response to date and is available from the IMB Secretariat.

To review the suitability and implications of making transfers between prisons on Fridays (4.1.2).

HMPPS understands the Board’s concerns around transferring prisoners between prisons on Fridays. The establishment works closely with HMPPS’ Population Management Unit at Headquarters to schedule intra-prison transfers to be received midweek and Friday’s are not routinely days on which transfers are received. However, population pressures leading into a weekend at local prisons in the North West, which serve the courts, can result in men being received at short notice. These transfers are not direct from the courts but due to overall capacity management in the Prison Group Directorate and such transfers are kept to a minimum and their time of arrival is dependent on the availability of vehicles from the contractor.

To complete the ongoing review of the management of prisoner property (5.8.5).

Further to last years’ response, the new framework is due to be published later this year. The framework will provide greater direction and standardisation on a national basis and has been designed with procedural justice at its core. It strengthens guidance on known problem areas such as volumetric control and seeks to ensure prisoners’ property is managed efficiently, effectively, consistently and with care and respect.

To ensure that work previously planned to introduce screening of toilets within double cells is completed as soon as possible (paragraph 5.1.2).

To review and progress improvements and repairs to accommodation, including the improvements to ventilation in the FNU and to the exercise yards, drainage and provision of electricity to all cells within the CSU (paragraphs 5.1.5, 5.2.1).

To review and improve communication with prisoners in key areas such as the progress towards resolving or responding to complaints, decisions relating to IEP and the reasons for re-categorisation (paragraphs 5.6.5, 5.7.6, 7.3.2).

To ensure that the equality action team (paragraph 5.4.1) and prisoner council meetings (paragraph 5.4.2) are re-started as soon as possible.

To arrange for the training for new Listeners to be arranged and completed as soon as possible (paragraph 4.2.5).

Our partnership with the Samaritans continues and we have committed to awarding a grant of £500k annually that supports the Listeners scheme through which selected prisoners are trained to provide emotional support to their fellow prisoners. During the pandemic we have worked hard to maintain the Listener service wherever infection control measures permit, and to provide access to Samaritans by phone when face-to-face interactions with Listeners are not possible.

To confirm that processes previously agreed with the Board, such as that the Board will be notified immediately following the deployment of PAVA or the use of the special cell, remain in force (paragraph 5.2.5).

To ensure that the recent trend of increased contact between prisoners and their key workers is continued and evidenced by feedback from prisoners (paragraph 5.3.2).

Following the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the delivery of key work, HMPPS is now supporting establishments to resume regular key work sessions across the estate. This gives staff dedicated time to provide support to individual prisoners and build effective relationships with those in our care.

To review and increase the availability of wheelchairs for those prisoners with restricted mobility (paragraph 6.4.3).

To take further steps to ensure that food hygiene logs are completed for each wing at each meal (paragraph 5.1.8).