Thameside

Response
I understand the Board’s concern about the amount of time out of cell prisoners are receiving due to the Covid-19 pandemic. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) took the difficult decision to introduce restricted regimes to safeguard the wellbeing of prisoners and staff during this unprecedented time. A National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services is in place which sets out the strategy for recovery of how restrictions in prisons will be eased - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19- national-framework-for-prison-regimes-and-services. This allows senior leaders to make decisions based on their local circumstances, the advice of local health authorities and is responsive to national restrictions in England and Wales. To support prisons in their regime management planning Exceptional Delivery Models have been created to ensure each area of the regime is implemented safely and securely and HMP Thameside has implemented these. Further relaxation of the regime will be governed by HMPPS nationally and will be subject to infection rates in the local public population, as well as within HMP Thameside. It is also recognised that access to the current regime and time out of cell each prisoner receives at HMP Thameside is variable. Certain individuals may have to shield or, isolate pending Covid- 19 test results or may be held on a Reverse Cohorting Unit having recently arrived at the prison to protect the rest of the population. Reception testing has now commenced and it is anticipated that this will reduce the amount of time spent on RCU from 14 to 7 days, subject to two negatives tests.

Response
I would like to reassure you that it is a priority for the MoJ to ensure that prisoners find somewhere safe and secure to live following their release from custody. Whilst it remains a challenge to find suitable accommodation my officials are working closely across Government to access the elements that are not directly within our control. During the initial Covid-19 pandemic, the MoJ secured £8.5 million to support the provision of accommodation for individuals at risk of homelessness on their release from prison. This scheme ran between May and August 2020 providing up to 56 nights’ accommodation to ensure individuals could be accommodated in to late October 2020. While it was designed as an emergency, temporary response, the learning gathered from this scheme will be utilised to help develop longer-term improvements as part of the wider reforms to probation services. To support the HMPPS Covid-19 response, seven regional Homelessness Prevention Taskforces (HPTs) were also set up to work with local authorities and other partners to source accommodation for prisoners on release. These HPTs are still active and following a recent agreement with HM Treasury to reinstate the emergency accommodation funding until January 2021, the HPTs will source accommodation with an increased focus on settled accommodation this time. HMPPS will also consider how the HPTs will feature in the future probation services to continue to build on the progress already made to engage effectively with delivery partners.

Response
I acknowledge the Board’s concern about the delays in transferring prisoners with mental ill health. The MoJ and HMPPS are determined to improve the transfer process, ensure delays are reduced and avoid prison being used inappropriately. The Secretary of State for Justice is committed to working with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and health partners to articulate a coherent picture of how healthcare is delivered throughout the criminal justice pathway. The Government is also committed to reforming the Mental Health Act and we are working closely with Department for Health and Social Care to respond to the recommendations of the independent review, chaired by Professor Simon Wessely which includes recommendations about improving the secure transfer process. A joint White Paper will be published in the coming months. The 2011 Prison Transfer and Remission guidance has also been amended following a comprehensive consultation process and is waiting publication as the planned publication in March 2020 was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the meantime, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) continue to monitor the time taken from referral to transfer and provide support where needed. The Health and Justice team in the London region is currently working more closely with the Mental Health Trusts, the Provider Collaboratives and NHSE&I Specialised Commissioning team to ensure that the prison population remain a priority for transfer. Where there are any challenges delaying the transfer of care these are escalated within the Trusts and the Clinical Commissioning Groups on an individual basis. It is recognised that prisoners with mental health needs are, on occasions, held in segregated conditions whilst awaiting transfer to a secure mental health unit. However, this is always as a last resort and only where the prisoner has been assessed as suitable for segregation by a healthcare professional. The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) at HMP Thameside has access to healthcare professionals seven days a week with daily visits from nurses, GPs, as well as psychology colleagues. The healthcare provider has also been proactive in managing those prisoners who require a transfer. The availability of mental health beds in secure hospitals has improved recently and HMP Thameside have not needed to hold a prisoner in the CSU who requires a secure mental health bed for several months now.

Response
I understand the Board’s concern about the amount of time out of cell prisoners are receiving due to the Covid-19 pandemic. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) took the difficult decision to introduce restricted regimes to safeguard the wellbeing of prisoners and staff during this unprecedented time. A National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services is in place which sets out the strategy for recovery of how restrictions in prisons will be eased - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19- national-framework-for-prison-regimes-and-services. This allows senior leaders to make decisions based on their local circumstances, the advice of local health authorities and is responsive to national restrictions in England and Wales. To support prisons in their regime management planning Exceptional Delivery Models have been created to ensure each area of the regime is implemented safely and securely and HMP Thameside has implemented these. Further relaxation of the regime will be governed by HMPPS nationally and will be subject to infection rates in the local public population, as well as within HMP Thameside. It is also recognised that access to the current regime and time out of cell each prisoner receives at HMP Thameside is variable. Certain individuals may have to shield or, isolate pending Covid- 19 test results or may be held on a Reverse Cohorting Unit having recently arrived at the prison to protect the rest of the population. Reception testing has now commenced and it is anticipated that this will reduce the amount of time spent on RCU from 14 to 7 days, subject to two negatives tests.

Response
I understand the Board’s concern about the amount of time out of cell prisoners are receiving due to the Covid-19 pandemic. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) took the difficult decision to introduce restricted regimes to safeguard the wellbeing of prisoners and staff during this unprecedented time. A National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services is in place which sets out the strategy for recovery of how restrictions in prisons will be eased - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19- national-framework-for-prison-regimes-and-services. This allows senior leaders to make decisions based on their local circumstances, the advice of local health authorities and is responsive to national restrictions in England and Wales. To support prisons in their regime management planning Exceptional Delivery Models have been created to ensure each area of the regime is implemented safely and securely and HMP Thameside has implemented these. Further relaxation of the regime will be governed by HMPPS nationally and will be subject to infection rates in the local public population, as well as within HMP Thameside. It is also recognised that access to the current regime and time out of cell each prisoner receives at HMP Thameside is variable. Certain individuals may have to shield or, isolate pending Covid- 19 test results or may be held on a Reverse Cohorting Unit having recently arrived at the prison to protect the rest of the population. Reception testing has now commenced and it is anticipated that this will reduce the amount of time spent on RCU from 14 to 7 days, subject to two negatives tests.

Response
I note you have raised some local issues of concern in your report which the Director will continue to keep you aware of as work continues.

Response
I note you have raised some local issues of concern in your report which the Director will continue to keep you aware of as work continues.

Response
I note you have raised some local issues of concern in your report which the Director will continue to keep you aware of as work continues.

Response
I note you have raised some local issues of concern in your report which the Director will continue to keep you aware of as work continues.

Response
HMPPS contract management team recently conducted an investigation surrounding the reporting and investigation of allegations of assault and use of force by members of staff on prisoners. The contractor has been required to produce an action plan to address areas of concern that were identified and this will be monitored by the contact management team.

Response
Despite the progress being made, HMPPS recognises that the level of violence in prisons remains too high and is continuing to provide prisons with the tools they need to help them reduce violence and self- harm. As well as safety data available on the Performance Hub, the Safety Diagnostic Tool (SDT) provides detailed information on safety issues, from prison to individual level. The Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) has also been developed to provide a consistent national case management model for managing those who pose a raised risk of being violent. CSIP is being used alongside the SDT to identify who may benefit from this proactive case management to prevent violence. HMPPS has also recently piloted changes to the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork case management system, improving the focus on individual needs and effective multi-disciplinary working, as well as revising documentation to make it more user friendly. Cases of violence at HMP Thameside decreased during the early stages of lockdown, from a monthly high of 72 incidents in March 2020 down to between 30 and 43 incidents during April to June. Along with a decrease in self-harm, bullying and drug use this led to a greater feeling of safety amongst prisoners. It is recognised that incidents did begin to increase during the summer due to the frustrations being felt by some prisoners with the restricted regimes. However, as set out in the Minister’s response the pace at which HMP Thameside is able to build its regime recovery, as is the case for all prisons, is guided by the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services. HMP Thameside continues to work proactively with those prisoners identified as either being vulnerable, at heightened risk of self-harm or being involved in incidents of violence. To support prisoners locally the number of Key Work sessions have increased, and further increases are planned as and when the prison is as able to continue its recovery safely.