The Verne

I appreciate your concerns about the changes to UK Visa requirements and recognise this is a sensitive issue for those that are affected. The Board will be aware that on 22 July 2025 the Government introduced changes to the UK Immigration Rules to reduce net migration, as numbers must fall further as we create a migration system that is controlled and fair. Since these were implemented, the Ministry of Justice has worked in close collaboration with the Home Office and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to assess the operational impact. This resulted in a temporary exemption being agreed for the prison officer role after your reporting period on 19 December 2025. The exemption is a short-term measure to maintain safe staffing in our prisons while the longer-term recruitment and retention plans for all the vital roles across the justice system are delivered. The exemption will remain in place up to 31 December 2026, with a lower salary threshold until 31 December 2027. After these dates any applications by prison officers to extend their stay would need to meet the full UK Immigration Rules in place at the time. Despite this being a temporary measure, the Board can be assured that we remain committed to ensure prisons are sufficiently resourced and will provide targeted support for those prisons with staffing challenges.

It is uncommon for a Category C Training prison to have 24 hour on-site clinical cover. The commissioned nursing model at HMP The Verne is aligned with community equivalence, which provides in-hours clinical provision supported by out of hours NHS 111 and established emergency response pathways. This approach is consistent with the national prison healthcare commissioning specifications and reflects a proportionate, needs-based model of care. However, in recognising both the additional needs of an ageing and complex population at HMP The Verne and the benefits associated with providing an on-site Social Care Unit, such as reduced hospital conveyance and improved continuity of care, the Local Authority and NHS England jointly commission 24-hour social care provision at HMP The Verne. The Unit provides two Social Care Support Workers on duty and as the Board recognises in its report it can provide care to prisoners in a similar manner as a care home would in the community.

I note you also have raised one local issue of concern in your report about laundry facilities and I have received assurance that new washers and dryers have been installed which has addressed this matter.