Grendon

Whilst you have not raised any specific issues of concern for my attention, I fully understand the Board’s decency concern around the night sanitation system and the use of cell pots when the system breaks down. In the vast majority of prisons there is modern sanitation inside cells, only in a small number of older prisons such as HMP Grendon has it not proved possible to install in-cell sanitation or the cost of doing so is prohibitively high. In such cases, a system of electronic unlocking is in place. Whilst not ideal, particularly for older prisoners, these night sanitation systems provide access to adequate sanitation and I am pleased to be able to confirm work has already started at HMP Grendon to improve the current night sanitation system. These upgrades also include work on the cell call system wiring and will ensure a better quality of delivery of the electronic system. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has set out further details in response to the in-cell sanitation issue in the attached annex. HMPPS comments on matters raised in the report In-Cell Sanitation As indicated in the Minister’s letter, due to the age and design of the buildings at HMP Grendon it would be difficult to change the current sanitation arrangement without major building reconstruction works and at present there are no plans or the funding to increase the number of cells with in-cell sanitation. However, as part of the long-term strategy for the prison estate that is currently in development, HMPPS will be considering the continued use of night sanitation systems and the feasibility of replacing them with in-cell sanitation. In the meantime, it is recognised that there are challenges with the operation of the electronic night sanitation system at HMP Grendon due to it being dated which makes it prone to breaking down. The system has previously undergone changes to improve reliability, which also saw safety upgrades with the inclusion of alarms to indicate to staff where prisoners had not returned to their cells. However, further upgrades are needed and these are taking place as part of the Fire Improvement Project which commenced in November 2020 to deliver a new fire safety system (including in-cell detection) and misting systems. The upgrade to the night sanitation system includes the replacement of electrical components, such as the computers and software, alongside work on the cell call system wiring which will address the Board’s concerns about prisoners communicating with staff. Despite the pandemic and safe systems of work requiring contractors to maintain social distancing, steady progress is being made and the project is expected to be completed by the end of December 2022. As all of the improvements are being undertaken on a wing by wing basis whilst the prison continues to operate, HMPPS Prison Maintenance Group has committed an additional £200k to support increased maintenance checks and servicing of the night sanitation system. It is also acknowledged that there have previously been difficulties experienced in fully maintaining all aspects of the night sanitation system due to the bespoke nature of the software. However, this has been resolved with an original sub-contractor, experienced in servicing the system, re-instated and assurances provided at site meetings that any system errors can be effectively dealt with in a timely manner. Parts being replaced in the night sanitation system will also be retained should these be required to address faults on those wings yet to receive the upgrades. Whilst there are benefits to the lack of internal sanitation at HMP Grendon, such as the separation of sleeping and eating quarters with ablution areas, it is accepted that the regime restrictions that have been necessary over the last year to protect prisoners and staff during the pandemic have meant that prisoners have spent much longer in their cell than usual. Therefore, during the core day Monday to Friday to mitigate queuing in the electronic system, enough staff have been deployed to wings to mechanically unlock prisoners in a safe manner whenever required. The prison has also ensured that the processes around issuing hand sanitiser and water have continued to be available and steps have been taken to discourage and challenge prisoners suspected to be throwing waste out of cell windows.

I note you have raised three local issues of concern in your report about re-establishing equality meetings as well as improving re-categorisation and cell bell response times which the Governor will continue to keep you aware of as work continues.

These upgrades also include work on the cell call system wiring and will ensure a better quality of delivery of the electronic system. I note you have raised three local issues of concern in your report about re-establishing equality meetings as well as improving re-categorisation and cell bell response times which the Governor will continue to keep you aware of as work continues. In the meantime, it is recognised that there are challenges with the operation of the electronic night sanitation system at HMP Grendon due to it being dated which makes it prone to breaking down. The system has previously undergone changes to improve reliability, which also saw safety upgrades with the inclusion of alarms to indicate to staff where prisoners had not returned to their cells. However, further upgrades are needed and these are taking place as part of the Fire Improvement Project which commenced in November 2020 to deliver a new fire safety system (including in-cell detection) and misting systems. The upgrade to the night sanitation system includes the replacement of electrical components, such as the computers and software, alongside work on the cell call system wiring which will address the Board’s concerns about prisoners communicating with staff. Despite the pandemic and safe systems of work requiring contractors to maintain social distancing, steady progress is being made and the project is expected to be completed by the end of December 2022.

I note you have raised three local issues of concern in your report about re-establishing equality meetings as well as improving re-categorisation and cell bell response times which the Governor will continue to keep you aware of as work continues.