Whatton

Although £83m has recently been pledged by the government for the maintenance of prisons, the Board is concerned that when the COVID-19 restrictions are eased, there will still be a delay to the improvement of the prison’s healthcare facilities (see paragraphs 6.1.8 to 6.1.11). Is the minister able to offer reassurance on this matter?

I understand the Board’s continued concern that despite the announced funding pledged for the maintenance of prisons there will still be delays in improving the prison’s healthcare facilities. As set out in my letter to the Board on 19 June 2020, the previous estates investment proposal submitted in August 2019 to consider various options from substantial refurbishment to the full replacement of the healthcare facilities was not supported as only essential emergency work, particularly around fire safety, could be funded at the time. However, as indicated a further formal business case for providing a new Healthcare Centre will be considered by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in due course.
In the interim the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Regional Estates Manager, establishment Service Delivery Manager and Site Manager from Amey, are producing an action plan to address the on-going maintenance issues within the healthcare facility and to take into account the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report. To support this a comprehensive survey has been commissioned to ascertain what adjustments are needed to ensure the existing facility meets the CQC specifications. To date additional hand wash stations have been installed and patch repairs have been made to the roofs and rotten woodwork. Regular sewage service inspections are also taking place to prevent further leakage and pest control inspections have now increased to monthly visits. HMPPS Prison Maintenance Group (PMG) also continues to engage with Amey to ensure that any necessary repairs are completed to keep the healthcare facility functioning within its current built environment.

The Board has had to report that a prisoner was held for a long time in secure conditions with deteriorating mental health while waiting for secure hospital accommodation (see paragraph 5.2.3). Despite regular assurances from the National Health Service (NHS) commissioners that this area of concern was being addressed nationally, there have been no improvements to the speedy resolution of such cases. Will the minister intervene and address this issue directly with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care?

Turning to the Board’s concerns about prisoners being held in segregation awaiting a mental health transfer. The MoJ and HMPPS have a responsibility to ensure those in prison receive appropriate care in the right setting and at the right time. Where a prisoner is suffering to an extent that warrants detention under the Mental Health Act, they should be transferred to hospital. We 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 (with 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.
Local NHS England and Improvement Health and Justice commissioners also acknowledge the concerns of the Board. Work is being scoped with specialised commissioners to track and follow up closely those patients that are awaiting transfer to a secure mental health unit. The aim will be to facilitate fortnightly calls with all case managers to review those individuals who are awaiting transfer, as ultimately the issue of moving prisoners within the required timescales is a combination of Health and Justice having close liaison with specialised commissioning and working closely with the provider collaboratively. Whilst this engagement is also subject to the capacity of secure hospital beds across the country, commissioners are regularly monitoring bed availability and capacity for transfers.
It is also 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. NHS England and Improvement Health and Justice also works with the healthcare providers to establish if any additional clinical support is required for individuals and commissioners will look to fund bespoke solutions to enhance care to patients where required. NHS England and Improvement Health and Justice also continue to work with HMP Whatton to scope other potential opportunities to improve the patient quality, service and experience.

The standard of the accommodation in the healthcare centre remains a significant concern, as indicated in our letter to the minister in April 2020 (see paragraphs 6.1.8 to 6.1.11). Will the Prison Service consider substantial refurbishment or replacement of the healthcare facilities, now that more capital funding has been made available?

I understand the Board’s continued concern that despite the announced funding pledged for the maintenance of prisons there will still be delays in improving the prison’s healthcare facilities. As set out in my letter to the Board on 19 June 2020, the previous estates investment proposal submitted in August 2019 to consider various options from substantial refurbishment to the full replacement of the healthcare facilities was not supported as only essential emergency work, particularly around fire safety, could be funded at the time. However, as indicated a further formal business case for providing a new Healthcare Centre will be considered by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in due course.
In the interim the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Regional Estates Manager, establishment Service Delivery Manager and Site Manager from Amey, are producing an action plan to address the on-going maintenance issues within the healthcare facility and to take into account the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report. To support this a comprehensive survey has been commissioned to ascertain what adjustments are needed to ensure the existing facility meets the CQC specifications. To date additional hand wash stations have been installed and patch repairs have been made to the roofs and rotten woodwork. Regular sewage service inspections are also taking place to prevent further leakage and pest control inspections have now increased to monthly visits. HMPPS Prison Maintenance Group (PMG) also continues to engage with Amey to ensure that any necessary repairs are completed to keep the healthcare facility functioning within its current built environment.

Will the Prison Service review the routine issue of PAVA spray, as there have been extremely low levels of violence at Whatton, and this deployment appears disproportionate and inappropriate (see paragraph 4.6.2)?

The decision to issue PAVA spray to the wider adult male estate during Covid-19 was to ensure that it was available across all closed male public sector prisons during this exceptional time. As with other decisions that have been taken during the response to Covid-19, HMPPS will review the position with the exceptional deployment of PAVA and agree the next steps to restart the national rollout as part of the ongoing safety programme.

As we have reported annually, the Board continues to receive applications about the loss of prisoners’ property, usually when being transferred from another prison. Responses to prisoners’ complaints from other establishments are often late or not received at all (see section 5.8). Can the Prison Service develop a reliable system of handling and tracking prisoners’ property, to reduce these unacceptable losses and to minimise the number of compensation claims?

As the Board will be aware, the development of the new Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework involved a large project undertaken in summer 2019. 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 until August and September. This work is now moving forward again and the feedback received from IMB members at these meetings will be considered alongside the comments received earlier this year from other stakeholders, with the intention that the revised draft policy framework will be circulated for wider consultation at the end of 2020.
The new Prisoner Escort and Custody Service 4 Generation contract also began during August 2020 with a new fleet of vehicles which allow for an additional half box of consumable items to the limit of 7.5kg to be carried for each prisoner on top of the existing agreed volumetric limits. In addition to this, HMPPS is looking at what more can be done to encourage prisoners to send out or dispose of excess items to reduce the amount of property that cannot transfer with them. Steps are also being taken to ensure there is a consistent approach when prison staff forward on any excess items to prisoners at their new establishment after a transfer has taken place.
In accordance with policy guidance contained in the Prisoner Complaints Policy Framework, complaints involving another prison should be answered within 10 working days. Where it is not possible to give a full reply within the required timeframe, an interim reply which gives an indication of when a full reply can be expected must be given. It is recognised that HMP Whatton experiences varying response levels to complaints from other prisons and that the volume of concerns may not just be isolated incidents which is why HMPPS is undertaking the thorough consultation above on a new Framework.

Will the Prison Service review, with other agencies, the timely notification of approved premises for released prisoners, to give them the best chance of resettlement and rehabilitation (see section 7.5)?

To improve the timeliness of referrals and support release at the earliest opportunity where the Parole Board direct release to Approved Premises, a new process has been set up to provide early notification of the decision to Approved Premises Central Referral Units which is followed up with immediate liaison with the Offender Manager. Alongside improving the timeliness of referrals, HMPPS remains committed to the expansion of the Approved Premises estate through the delivery of an additional 200 bed placements. 47 of these additional bed placements were due to be delivered by the end of the 2019/20 financial year, however, because of the impact of Covid-19 and additional building works required there were some delays and the remaining nine spaces were completed at the end of September 2020. These additional spaces will support the increasing number of offenders being referred into both the male and female Approved Premises estate who pose a significant risk of harm to the public.
In addition, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, £8.5 million was secured to support the provision of accommodation for individuals released from prison during this unprecedented period. The scheme ran between May and August 2020 providing up to 56 nights’ accommodation ensuring some offenders can be accommodated in to late October 2020. This scheme was open to individuals who met the appropriate criteria, including all those at risk of homelessness following release from prison. Other cohorts were also considered such as those in Approved Premises and Bail Accommodation Support Services that were at risk of homelessness. The MoJ and HMPPS will utilise the learning gathered from this scheme to help develop longer-term improvements and will draw on that learning as part of wider reforms to probation services.
HMPPS has also recently published its national Accommodation Framework that sets out the Agency’s and its partners’ responsibilities including local authorities, as well as how to build on successes and work together to ensure that offenders can access and maintain settled accommodation.