Source · IMB Annual Report
Kirklevington Grange
Year: 2020
Published: 7 Jul 2021
Type: Prison · Cat D open, YOI
Population: 163
Recommendations: 2
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange, an open category D prison, operated during 2020 under significant COVID-19 constraints. The Board commended staff for their response to the pandemic, maintaining a safe environment with no deaths and improved healthcare. However, key concerns include the urgent need for capital investment in the aging estate, persistent issues with prisoner property transfers, long waiting times for mental health services, and the negative impact of COVID-19 restrictions on prisoner regime, education, and resettlement opportunities.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 1 | 1 |
| ACCT cases opened | 7 | 14 |
| Prisoner assaults | 3 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 0 | — |
| Use of force | 1 | — |
| Drug finds | 75 | — |
Positive findings
The Board commended the Governor, officers, and staff for their exceptional performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully managing the situation with no deaths and few serious incidents. The prison maintained a well-run operation, with most prisoners reporting positive experiences and satisfaction with staff and healthcare services. Significant estate improvements were noted, including boiler replacements, gym repairs, and a television system upgrade. The kitchen received a five-star food hygiene rating, and initiatives like the 'Little Sprouts' charity partnership were successfully implemented.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
The estate of Kirklevington is still in need of substantial maintenance, and this has been evidenced by the fact of three units being taken out of use, resulting in an operational capacity of only 163 prisoners, a reduction of 120.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Prisoner property during transfer was still being mislaid or even lost.
Substance Misuse
Illicit drugs being still an issue within the prison.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Boredom was an issue for prisoners at the weekend, with many requests for additional television channels.
Mental Health
The average waiting time to see a psychiatrist was nine weeks.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Lower-level learners have been the most disadvantaged, and motivation has suffered, with a higher level of withdrawal from education than seen previously or than is desirable due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Monitored video calls (Purple Visits) were implemented but this was frustrated by very poor information technology infrastructure and many failed contacts, so uptake declined.
Resettlement/Release
As a result of a change of HSBC bank policy, prisoners were unable to obtain a bank card before their release, at a time when banks were often declining access to their branches.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
When will capital funding be released for replacement blocks and infrastructure works?
Response
I appreciate the Board’s continued concerns around maintenance and the fabric of the site. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Estates Team has confirmed that the three units taken out of use have now been approved for demolition. This is due to be completed this summer subject to any unforeseen issues arising. The current MoJ commitment is to undertake the re-build of a minimum of two 40-bed accommodation units within the 2021-22 financial year. The design process for the replacement units is already underway and it is anticipated the first unit will be located within the established K unit fence-line footprint, and the second unit will be in either the D wing or E wing area. The most appropriate location for the second unit will be determined by discussions between the establishment and design team. HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange is an ageing site requiring constant maintenance. To alleviate these ongoing challenges, over £780,000 has been invested to improve the site and overall decency. These improvements include the heating systems and boilers, gym flooring, roads and car parks, and the TV system. The temporary accommodation that was installed (M Unit) enabled extra prisoners to have in-room sanitation and this will now be available to the prison for up to five years. |
Ministry of Justice | In progress |
| 2 |
Can the process be resolved with some urgency?
Repeated
Response
I appreciate the Board’s continued concerns around maintenance and the fabric of the site. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Estates Team has confirmed that the three units taken out of use have now been approved for demolition. This is due to be completed this summer subject to any unforeseen issues arising. The current MoJ commitment is to undertake the re-build of a minimum of two 40-bed accommodation units within the 2021-22 financial year. The design process for the replacement units is already underway and it is anticipated the first unit will be located within the established K unit fence-line footprint, and the second unit will be in either the D wing or E wing area. The most appropriate location for the second unit will be determined by discussions between the establishment and design team. HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange is an ageing site requiring constant maintenance. To alleviate these ongoing challenges, over £780,000 has been invested to improve the site and overall decency. These improvements include the heating systems and boilers, gym flooring, roads and car parks, and the TV system. The temporary accommodation that was installed (M Unit) enabled extra prisoners to have in-room sanitation and this will now be available to the prison for up to five years. |
HMPPS | In progress |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 2 | 4 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 0 | 0 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 6 | 1 |
| Equality | 0 | 0 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 3 | 3 |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 0 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 10 | 7 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 3 | 3 |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 4 | 3 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 3 | 2 |
| Property within this establishment | 1 | 1 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 6 | 2 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorization | 9 | 14 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 2 | 2 |
| Transfers | 2 | — |
Related inspections & investigations
2 Sep 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 4
· Activity 4
· Release 4
Other reports for Kirklevington Grange
Report details
- Establishment
- Kirklevington Grange
- Type
- Prison · Cat D open, YOI
- Report year
- 2020
- Published
- 7 July 2021
- Responsible body
- HMP Kirklevington Grange
- Recommendations
- 2
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 4 — Outstanding
Population
| Population | 163 |
| Operational capacity | 163 |
Service providers
Dentistry
Hardwick Dental Practice
Education
Novus
Healthcare
Spectrum Health
Mental health
Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust
Optician
Henderson Opticians