Source · IMB Annual Report
Swaleside
Year: 2020
Published: 5 Aug 2020
Type: Prison · Cat Category B Lifer Main Centre training prison
Population: 1,083
Recommendations: 12
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Swaleside reported a year of significant progress in safety and a generally improved environment, despite the challenges of COVID-19. However, the Board highlighted persistent concerns including unacceptably high violence, poor performance of maintenance provider GFSL, and severely limited opportunities for purposeful activity and vocational training for residents. Issues with hygiene, contraband, and cancelled healthcare appointments also remain key areas for development.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 6 | — |
| Use of force | 431 | — |
| Drug finds | 18 | — |
Positive findings
The Board highlights the commitment of prison officers and governors in safeguarding vulnerable residents, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. The general state of the prison is seen as much better than a year ago, with positive trends across indicators, including a decline in violence measures. The Dedicated Search Team, Community Hub, Swaleside Outreach Services (SOS), and life-limiting illness meetings are commended for their positive contributions. Significant progress has been made towards a safe prison, with high attainment in the keyworker scheme prior to suspension, and successful reintegration initiatives in the CSRU. The introduction of feral cats has partially addressed the rodent problem, and the education department is praised for expanding external education courses.
Key concerns
Safety
There is still a level of violence, which places Swaleside at the head of its comparator group, so no-one should become complacent as this level of violence is still unacceptable.
Estate/Conditions
It has become increasingly apparent that a number of concerns from residents stem directly from the poor performance of GFSL in executing their tasks in terms of poor condition, maintenance or routine repairs.
Food/Catering
Repeated
The Board still deems it essential that the requirement to support HMP Standford Hill residents is removed from Swaleside. The Board reiterates this year that the kitchen at Swaleside was originally designed to cater for about 650 residents, and was upgraded in its early years to allow for some expansion. However, a further problem arises in having to cater additionally for residents at HMP Standford Hill, bringing the total number of meals prepared to around 3000 daily. The Board have recommended that this added work should be removed from Swaleside, which we repeat.
Education/Purposeful Activity
As with many other facilities within the prison, workshop sizes were designed to cater for around half of the current operational capacity. This fact, together with the lack of current work in some shops, low allocation numbers and low attendance numbers, means that too many residents do not have meaningful employment, and therefore remain unoccupied and inadequately prepared for release. This is not reflective of a training prison.
Equality/Diversity
The amount of vocational training is woeful, particularly for men convicted of sexual offences (MCOSO) and vulnerable residents, which makes one cynical about the definition of ‘Category B Trainer’.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
It is of concern that, despite the apparent unemployment around the prison population, there is an almost daily failure to meet the required allocation to workshops and education. It seems to the Board that there is a failure to apply the discipline necessary to ensure that residents are required to engage in employment or education for their own benefit
Equality/Diversity
The lack of meaningful and rewarding work, generally, and in particular for B and H wing residents shows a real level of inequality.
Estate/Conditions
Hygiene/cleanliness around the prison leaves a lot to be desired. The showers on some wings remain well below sanitary standards, as do serveries and self-cook areas. Wing window cages are filling up with litter and the areas around the outside of some wings are regularly smothered with rubbish thrown from windows – as this includes a lot of waste food products, it only helps to worsen the rat problem.
Safety
The apparent easy acquisition of mobile phones and weapons by some residents, not only increases violence and causes problems for others, but may also exacerbate debt problems and cause self-harm and suicide attempts, and is also the root cause of residents electing to stay behind their doors.
Resettlement/Release
Importantly, residents have not always been able to be transferred to their local resettlement prison within about 12 weeks of their release date as intended.
Safety
One aspect that has been detrimental to the safe running of the prison has been the number of adjudications not proceeded with. At one point (in February 2020) this reached 44% of all adjudications in the rolling year, as opposed to a national average of 4%.
Healthcare
There is an unacceptable number of cancelled outside hospital appointments which, apart from the distress that it causes patients, places a burden on the public purse and wastes NHS time which could usefully be used for other patients.
Healthcare
The lack of in-cell telephony in the inpatients department (IPD) and in some cells in the CSRU needs to be addressed.
Resettlement/Release
Nevertheless, those directly released deserve to have the appropriate help to achieve similar employment and accommodation opportunities afforded to those residents released from resettlement prisons. This does not happen.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
We believe that the effectiveness of GFSL should be examined, as its inefficiency affects so many aspects of prison life (see sections 3 and 5.1).
Repeated
Response
I note the Board’s repeated concern regarding the facilities and maintenance service which impacts negatively on living and working conditions at HMP Swaleside. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Prison Maintenance Group (PMG) remains committed to improving the performance of Government Facility Services Limited (GFSL) across the prison estate. Over the last twelve months audit outcomes have shown that GFSL’s statutory compliance rate has risen from 58% to 94% and an overall compliance performance rate of 77% (from 54%). Many of the maintenance issues are largely historical, and I am pleased to note that serious issues are being addressed. PMG has purchased new efficient boilers and, to allow for maintenance works to be carried out, replacement valves have also been purchased to prevent any heating or hot water loss (as previously experienced). In addition, the High Voltage infrastructure is in the process of being replaced and an enhanced planned preventative maintenance programme will be carried out to mitigate the sewer blockages, ensuring drains are kept free from unwanted waste disposal. As I am sure the Board will appreciate, due to Covid-19 the prisoner working parties group had to be restricted in their activities, which has clearly had a detrimental impact. GFSL have organised a supervisor from another establishment to help support the grounds work at HMP Swaleside. The Governor conducts weekly site tours with the site manager to identify any immediate required actions. He also meets with the GFSL senior cluster lead on a weekly basis to raise performance issues and concerns (rather than monthly which had hitherto been the case). |
Ministry of Justice | In progress |
| 2 |
The state of Swaleside showers has been mentioned in several previous reports. There has been some progress in this area but still some wings have shower areas that are way below standard and have not been improved at all. The overall level of cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired with litter around the outside of many wings and the state of some of the serveries and self-cook areas often appalling. The rat problem, though partly addressed with the feral cats is still an issue. Replacement windows are essential if the prison is to prevent littering, improve hygiene and curb the rat problem. However, it needs the budget to be able to do these things (see sections 3 and 5.1).
Repeated
Response
I acknowledge the Board’s update on the condition of the showers. The work on the showers continues as funding allows for each project; refurbishment will be to the new Wandsworth specification and includes new pressurisation pumps for improved performance to the showers on C and D wings. The old showers on A and B wings will be kept out of use until full refurbishment takes place. All other showers will be kept to a clean and decent standard by GFSL and plans for a small prison maintenance team consisting of professionals and prisoners will be set up to work towards restoring the remaining showers. I also acknowledge the Board’s comments on the issue of rodents and window replacement. The pest control company has taken action by strengthening the bait and testing this in one area of the prison. As a result, staff saw a noticeable decline in the number of rodents and this new bait will now be used in other areas of the prison. It is anticipated that E wing windows will be replaced this year and a project to replace the windows on A, B and C wings is provisionally programmed for 2022/23. I was encouraged to read in the Board’s report that considerable effort had been made during the reporting period to improve the appearance and cleanliness of the prison and hope that with the new windows on the wings and the introduction of an outdoor cleaning working party, the standards of cleanliness in the grounds will improve further. |
Ministry of Justice | In progress |
| 3 |
The Board reiterates this year that the kitchen at Swaleside was originally designed to cater for about 650 residents, and was upgraded in its early years to allow for some expansion. However, a further problem arises in having to cater additionally for residents at HMP Standford Hill, bringing the total number of meals prepared to around 3000 daily. The Board have recommended that this added work should be removed from Swaleside, which we repeat. We are advised that this will not happen due to prohibitive cost. The Board must again point out that, given the pressure on equipment, more failures should be expected and, given the time taken for repairs/replacements to be obtained, these could ultimately become critical (see section 5.1).
Repeated
Response
I would also like to address the Board’s comments on providing meals for HMP Standford Hill. Providing catering for a relatively large prison population across two sites is a challenging and complex task for the catering team. I appreciate the excellent service this team has provided to date. As part of expansion works at HMP Standford Hill, you will be pleased to hear that a kitchen will be built in 2022. HMP Swaleside will therefore no longer be required to provide meals for Standford Hill’s residents. The Regional Estates Manager has confirmed that an Estates Investment Proposal to expand and refurbish HMP Swaleside’s kitchen will be submitted this year. In the interim, HMPPS has processes in place to manage the failure of the existing kitchen equipment when this occurs. |
Ministry of Justice | Accepted |
| 4 |
The lack of equal opportunity for MCOSO and vulnerable residents needs to be addressed (see sections 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.4 and 7.2).
Repeated
Response
MCOSOs will have access to the gym, worship and education. Productive activity work has been increased in areas like warehousing (DHL), fabrication and engineering. HMP Swaleside will develop a much more ambitious vision and strategy to expand opportunities for this cohort (this includes other vulnerable prisoners). Staff have also ensured that MCOSOs have had access to accredited programmes e.g. the Thinking Skills Programme and prior to Covid-19 MCOSOs had access to weekly visits. Access to the library and chapel is largely provided on the wing given the complexity of escorting these prisoners around the prison. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 5 |
Workshops at Swaleside were originally designed to support a prison with four wings. Swaleside now has eight wings with an operational capacity of 1111. This results in an unacceptably high level of unemployment and continued lack of vocational training, which should be remedied by creating more meaningful work for residents (see sections 3 and 7.2).
Repeated
Response
The expansion of the engineering workshop has taken the number of meaningful employment placements from 25 to 50, where employed prisoners are able to complete accredited courses. Currently, Public Sector Prison Industries has no plans to increase capacity of this workshop further or introduce additional workshops. |
HMPPS | Partial |
| 6 |
The lack of in-cell telephony in the inpatients department (IPD) and in some cells in the CSRU needs to be addressed (see sections 6.1 and 7.4).
Response
All cells located in the care, separation and reintegration unit have been cabled and the phones are in working order. Healthcare will be the next area to receive in-cell telephony. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 7 |
There is an unacceptable number of cancelled outside hospital appointments which, apart from the distress that it causes patients, places a burden on the public purse and wastes NHS time which could usefully be used for other patients (see section 6.1).
Response
A weekly overview of hospital escorts is monitored by staff at the prison and they work alongside healthcare colleagues to establish which prisoners require attendance at upcoming hospital appointments. However, HMP Swaleside has a limited staff resource capacity to provide medical escorts each day and of course the Covid-19 pandemic has increased this pressure further. HMP Swaleside is therefore working with healthcare partners to look at the feasibility of introducing virtual appointments with consultants through a new technology called Consultant Connect. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 8 |
In our report last year, we mentioned that it is essential that residents are provided with resettlement services, preferably in a prison nearer to their home as they reach the end of their sentences. This service has not been provided from Swaleside. Though there were only 17 residents released from the prison in the last year, none of them were found employment and several had no accommodation (see sections 2, 7.3 and 7.5).
Repeated
Response
HMPPS remains committed to releasing prisoners from a resettlement prison. Further to last year’s response to the Board HMPPS has implemented an enhanced Through the Gate service for prisoners, including those released directly from non-resettlement prisons like HMP Swaleside, to aid the provision of resettlement. An additional £22 million per annum has been invested for the remainder of the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) contracts to ensure CRCs deliver this service in resettlement prisons. The enhanced service includes the requirement that CRCs complete specific, tailored, tasks to help prisoners to secure and maintain settled accommodation, gain employment and manage debt and their financial affairs. The National Probation Service is also working to increase commissioning of these services for prisoners coming out of non-resettlement prisons including setting minimum levels of purchasing, to encourage full use of the appropriate rate cards. Locally, HMP Swaleside has reduced the number of men being directly released from the prison, although for some it is simply not possible to transfer them as their release date does not allow enough time for the transfer to take place. Staff have adopted good relations with HMP Belmarsh to enable resettlement before release to take place. HMP Swaleside’s aim is to reduce numbers even further. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 9 |
The efforts to improve the appearance of the prison and cleanliness have been considerable, but some of the results have been disappointing. Efforts must continue in order to remedy this issue (see sections 5.1 and 6.1).
Response
I also acknowledge the Board’s comments on the issue of rodents and window replacement. The pest control company has taken action by strengthening the bait and testing this in one area of the prison. As a result, staff saw a noticeable decline in the number of rodents and this new bait will now be used in other areas of the prison. It is anticipated that E wing windows will be replaced this year and a project to replace the windows on A, B and C wings is provisionally programmed for 2022/23. I was encouraged to read in the Board’s report that considerable effort had been made during the reporting period to improve the appearance and cleanliness of the prison and hope that with the new windows on the wings and the introduction of an outdoor cleaning working party, the standards of cleanliness in the grounds will improve further. |
Governor / Director | In progress |
| 10 | The efforts to prevent the ingress of weapons, phones and drugs are well appreciated and must continue unabated in order to improve this problem. The continued ingress of mobile phones is particularly worrying as a major route through visits has been cut off during the COVID-19 lock-down (see section 4). | Governor / Director | |
| 11 | Attendance at both workshops and education regularly falls short of expectations. This needs to receive more attention (see sections 7.1 and 7.2). | Governor / Director | |
| 12 | The efforts to provide reintegration services to residents in the CSRU are to be commended and improvement has been made in reducing the numbers of residents moved to the CSRU. This trend should continue (see section 5.2). | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 45 | 38 |
| Board Applications (these are Applications from the Board to the Governor on behalf of residents or on a general issue) | 15 | 18 |
| Discipline (including adjudication & IEP) | 16 | 13 |
| Food (including catering & special diets) | 26 | 28 |
| Health (including dental, optical & mental health) | 68 | 91 |
| Immigration/Deportation | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 75 | 56 |
| Property | 77 | 102 |
| Regime (including showers, visits, work, education, recreation) | 49 | 90 |
| Staff | 83 | 108 |
| Total (all applications) | 454 | 544 |
| Total Applications | 439 | 526 |
Related inspections & investigations
15 Dec 2025
HMIP · Urgent Notification
11 Sep 2023
HMIP · Announced
Safety 2
· Respect 2
· Activity 2
· Release 2
Other reports for Swaleside
Report details
- Establishment
- Swaleside
- Type
- Prison · Cat Category B Lifer Main Centre training prison
- Report year
- 2020
- Published
- 5 August 2020
- Responsible body
- HMP Swaleside
- Recommendations
- 12
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 1 — Serious concern
Population
| Population | 1,083 |
| Operational capacity | 1,111 |
| CNA (designed for) | 1,111 97% |
Service providers
Drug and alcohol addiction treatment
Forward Trust
Education
Milton Keynes College
Family support at visits
Spurgeons
GP Services
Minster Medical Practice
Healthcare
Integrated Care 24 (IC24)
Inreach (mental health)
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Maintenance services
Government Facility Services Limited (GFSL)
Optical services
Pen Optical