Ashfield

I understand the Board’s repeated concern about the housing needs of offenders on release from prison.
It is widely understood that offenders can face significant barriers to securing suitable accommodation
due to pressure on social housing, difficulties in accessing the private rented sector and the availability of
support to help with life skills. In addition to the general barriers faced by offenders, those convicted of a
sexual offence are more likely to experience additional challenges.
HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is firmly committed to working effectively with a wide range of
commissioners, stakeholders and partners to influence strategy, promote access to services and address
the housing needs of offenders. At a national level we are working closely with the Ministry of Housing
Communities and Local Government and we know that across England and Wales prisons and probation
work closely with local partners, including Local Housing Authorities (LHA).
The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 has significantly reformed England’s homelessness legislation by
placing duties on LHAs to intervene at earlier stages to prevent homelessness in their areas. As part of
this, LHAs are required to ensure advisory services are designed to meet the specific needs of vulnerable
groups, including persons released from prison. The prison and probation providers are subject to the
‘Duty to Refer’ and have a statutory responsibility, under the Homelessness Reduction Act to refer anyone
at risk of homelessness to the LHA 56 days before they are due to become homeless.

We are continuing to work towards achieving the commitment to 200 additional Approved Premises (AP)
bed placements. These additional bed spaces will support the increasing number of referrals into the AP
estate. An AP expansion board has set up a strategic business case seeking funds to support the
proposed expansion. To date 47 additional bed spaces have been delivered and planning permission has
been approved for an additional 26 bed female AP in the South West and a 4 bed expansion in London.
The expansion programme has been reviewed to accommodate Covid-19 related issues and is now
expected to be complete by March 2024.

While digital improvements are being explored, the nature of that work
means that any digital changes are likely to take longer to develop. As noted in the Board’s report, the new electronic property recording system in operation at HMP Ashfield
is working well. The system provides a live electronic record of property held in possession and stored. A
new cell clearance form automatically provides a list of a prisoner’s property to be checked if staff need to
clear a prisoner’s cell.

It is unfortunate and regrettable that prisoners’ property continues to be an issue. The development of the
new Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework is being informed by a project which was undertaken in
summer 2019, involving stakeholders across HMPPS and the escort services. The project involved
visiting 14 prisons, consultation with staff and prisoners, and engagement with external stakeholders such
as the Independent Monitoring Board Secretariat and Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Its purpose
was to support the policy review and identify areas where immediate and more long-term changes may be
required to improve operational practice.
Following the conclusion of the project, HMPPS has worked closely with stakeholders to consult on
proposed changes to the policy. Discussions ahead of consultation with IMB members began with the
IMB Secretariat in late February 2020, who proposed meetings take place with Board members in April. In
light of the pressures placed on Boards by Covid-19, HMPPS agreed with the IMB Secretariat to pause
this consultation. This work is now moving forward again and a meeting with IMB members took place in
August. Consultation with operational colleagues is also expected to resume soon. The feedback received
at the meeting with IMB members will be considered alongside the comments received from other
stakeholders, with the intention that the revised draft policy framework will be circulated for wider
consultation at the end of 2020. While digital improvements are being explored, the nature of that work
means that any digital changes are likely to take longer to develop.

Further to the response to the Board of 3 June 2020, the Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) model
now mandates a Prison Offender Manager (POM) handover meeting following a prisoner’s transfer to a
new establishment. The aim of this handover, as with other handovers, is to transfer information to the
new POM, so that progress against the sentence plan can progress seamlessly. Using the ‘Manage POM
Cases Service’ POMs can see the case allocation history, including the contact details of who has
previously managed the prisoner in another prison. Details relating to all public protection matters,
including Persons Posing a Risk to Children (PPRC) provisions must be shared as referenced in the
‘OMiC POM to POM Handover Checklist’ available on EQuiP.
Establishments are encouraged to liaise with sending establishments when there are inconsistencies over
previous risk assessments. Any common themes or risk concerns are shared with the HMPPS Prison
Public Protection Lead who can offer additional guidance, support and intervention where necessary.
HMP Ashfield has not raised any concerns with the HMPPS Prison Public Protection Lead about ongoing
problems with missing PPRC or Child Contact assessments, but this avenue is open to them should they
wish. A non-public facing Prison Public Protection website was launched in July 2020 and no other
establishments have raised problems associated with missing PPRC or Child Contact assessments.