Highpoint

JobCentrePlus withdrew all support from the prison in March 2020. The Board asks the minister to investigate this action, in light of the fact that other services were maintained across the estate by remote means. The continuation or return of Covid restrictions should not deprive those due for release of this vital support.

I understand the Board’s concern about the withdrawal of Jobcentre Plus support for prisoners due to be released. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) withdrew prison work coaches across the prison estate in March 2020, minimising the risk of Covid-19 being transmitted. As part of the Government’s Covid-19 response, DWP established a bespoke telephony service to enable those released under the End of Custody Temporary Release scheme to make a Universal Credit claim on or after the day of release. This service has also now been embedded to assist all prison leavers to make a claim for Universal Credit quickly on release, where they are unable to do so online. In addition, as HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) continues to ease restrictions at a pace which considers the unique setting of prisons, DWP has been planning for a return to face-to-face services within prisons. The Board will be pleased to note that Jobcentre Plus re-commenced this activity at HMP Highpoint on 7 June 2021. Whilst this is not at pre-pandemic levels yet, Jobcentre Plus is providing 1.2 full-time equivalent members of staff one day per week.

Although the number of applications the Board receives concerning lost or delayed property has almost halved since last year, this is still a matter of great concern (see 5.8.1.and 5.8.2). The Board again asks the minister to undertake an urgent review into the handling of prisoners’ property.

I recognise the Board’s continued concerns about prisoners’ property and the request for an urgent review. Further to my predecessor’s response last year, I can assure the Board that following the pause in the development of the new property framework project due to the pandemic, the delayed consultation meeting took place with IMB representatives in August 2020. The feedback received from those members was considered alongside the comments received from other stakeholders, and comments from subsequent operational engagement. HMPPS has now circulated the draft property framework with internal and external stakeholders, including the IMB Secretariat and the IMB representatives previously consulted, and the comments received are being considered. The property framework will be published later this year, which will provide greater direction and standardisation on a national basis and has been designed with procedural justice at its core. It also 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.
Whilst it is not a requirement of Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) providers to transport property outside the volumetric limit which is currently governed by the current Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 12/2011 – Prisoners’ Property, HMPPS is continuing to take steps to ensure there is a consistent approach when forwarding on any excess property. The new PECS contract also commenced in August 2020 which introduced a new vehicle fleet with an increased capacity to facilitate an additional half bag of property for consumables to the limit of 7.5kg. HMP Highpoint recognises that frequently some property is not transported and remains at the sending prisons, due to the prisoner having accumulated property in excess of the volumetric control limits. Local systems continue to be in place where the prison’s own vehicles are used to collect the excess property, as well as transporting property onto receiving prisons for those leaving HMP Highpoint. HMP Highpoint is currently reviewing its local property policy to encourage prisoners to have property that meets volumetric control limits and allows quicker and increased access to stored property.

Loss of access to library computers has highlighted a need for tablets/laptops to be available to prisoners for educational purposes. The Board wishes consideration to be given to this as a permanent provision.

Turning to the concern about prisoner’s access to library computers for educational purposes, one of the strategic objectives of HMPPS is to provide the technology and digital tools to support the rehabilitation of those in its care. This includes consideration for how education is provided in prisons and HMPPS has already begun implementing in-cell technology in all Youth Custody Service sites and in nine prisons to enable every prisoner in closed prisons to have access to a laptop or tablet. It is also acknowledged that throughout the pandemic library computers have been unavailable in most prisons due to the restrictions to minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19. However, HMP Highpoint has access to 16 Coracle laptops which allow access to learning and has enabled learners on distance learning courses throughout the pandemic to continue to type up assessments in-cell before sending to their awarding organisation. Workbooks have not been used to replace any material from a distance learning provider and were only used for Prison Education Framework curriculum to deliver in-cell education. In addition, the Board will be pleased to note that education within prisons has already begun opening its classrooms and libraries for face-to-face delivery and HMP Highpoint is starting to allow prisoners to access the library computers again.

The service provided by Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) is still a major cause for concern. The Board requests an urgent review of the works maintenance contract to ensure it fully meets the ongoing needs of a challenging prison environment. Failure to do so seriously impacts on outcomes for the prisoners. (See 5.1.3)

A review of services included within the scope of the facilities management agreement with the provider, Gov Facilities Services Limited (GFSL), was conducted in August 2020 and monthly performance monitoring since shows progress in the timeliness of completed reactive repairs. For the six months leading to August 2020 timeliness was 64% whereas the six months to June 2021 was 81%. Whilst improvements towards the 90% target level can be demonstrated, it is recognised that recruitment and consistent performance with the required levels of quality assurance remains a challenge for GFSL at HMP Highpoint and one that is yet to be fully met. The Governor also continues to have concerns regarding the ability of GFSL to manage a site the size and complexity of HMP Highpoint and these concerns have been escalated to the Prison Group Director. The Governor continues to hold weekly meetings with GFSL to discuss concerns regarding the maintenance provision and monthly contract meetings continue to challenge performance.
The recent growth in local construction is believed to have had an impact upon GFSL’s ability to recruit into certain roles. GFSL continues in their efforts to recruit tradespersons into various remaining vacancies including an electrician, painter and three plumbers. Two of these plumbing vacancies are being filled using sub-contractors and the third is subject to an accepted offer of employment. To improve leadership locally a new Deputy Site Manager post has been recruited to support the existing GFSL Senior Site Manager and Facilities Management team at HMP Highpoint.

The repair and maintenance of kitchen equipment has continued to be a problem. The Board asks that the relevant contract be reviewed, to support the ability of the prison to continue to provide a healthy and nourishing diet to the prisoners.

It is recognised that the maintenance provision for catering equipment at HMP Highpoint has been inconsistent. A lack of ownership by GFSL, coupled with sub-contracting the maintenance of catering equipment to a provider located on the Isle of Wight have impacted upon response times. However, the current affected equipment is being addressed and in June 2021 the GFSL Site Manager reviewed all the equipment in the kitchens to assess what items remain fit for purpose. Where items have been identified as beyond economical repair HMP Highpoint will need to fund its replacement subject to suitable finances being in place. In some instances, the prison has opted to hire equipment rather than purchase so that the quality and productivity of the kitchens is not impeded. In addition, GFSL is reviewing its contractual arrangements with the catering maintenance provider to ensure effectiveness and a site lead has been appointed to oversee the maintenance of kitchen equipment to enable improvements in this area. GFSL’s progress is continuing to be monitored and relevant action plans will consolidate all site defects.

In order for mental health practitioners to provide timely interventions, there is a requirement for prisoner records to be transferred between establishments when a prisoner is relocated. The Board asks for a co-ordinated and regulated procedure to be established to ensure this happens.

Where there are instances of prisoners transferring to HMP Highpoint with delayed handover information this does not inhibit any clinical management as medical records are on SystmOne which is fully accessible at the point of transfer. In the case of complex prisoners where a handover between sending and receiving prison is beneficial, the healthcare provider at HMP Highpoint, PracticePlus, will follow up with the sending prison within one working day. If information is not forthcoming, matters can be escalated via the Datix incident reporting management system that is shared with NHS England. Where handovers have not been received in a timely manner at HMP Highpoint, there has not been any trends where a specific prison is causing concern which has required the matter to be raised with the relevant Prison Group Director office.
The Board will also be assured to note that procedures have recently been reviewed with a new ‘The Person Escort Record (PER) Policy Framework’ being published on 19 April 2021. This framework provides guidance on the use of both paper and digital PERs, which includes healthcare and handover sections within the records. To ensure prison records are transported safely it is also a requirement of PSI 33/2015 – External Prisoner Movement, which states; “Prison records must not be handed to escort staff in a form which would lead to loose papers or other items being lost. They must be correctly filed, labelled and bagged with the seal numbers recorded on the PER in order to ensure that they arrive safely, and to manage the risk of a data loss.”

Whilst the Board acknowledges the impact of maintaining the prison regime during Covid, the hours allocated to the equalities officer are still a matter of concern. The Board asks for the consideration of an increase, or stability, in the pattern of hours allocated to this important post.

The Board hopes the provision of a dedicated wing for those prisoners wanting to engage fully with drug recovery programmes can go ahead in the near future.

The Board asks the governor to look proactively to appointing a suitably qualified person to the kitchen staff, who can support prisoners in obtaining an NVQ qualification, as a positive outcome of the experience gained by working there.

The Board recommends that consideration is given to the continuation of purple visits (a secure video calling platform) after restrictions are lifted. This would provide an alternative means of family contact where distance makes visiting difficult. (See 7.4.3)