Elmley

Response
The importance of effective CCTV coverage and body-worn camera capability is acknowledged. The Board will be aware that bids for upgraded CCTV and security lighting were confirmed in last year’s ministerial response and remain part of national prioritisation. All bid proposals are underpinned by the data collected in recent condition surveys which assessed the fabric, cells, and critical assets at each prison. These are being used to inform long-term forward maintenance registers, which can be prioritised against future capital budgets as available funding is being prioritise carefully. Body-worn camera compliance locally at HMP/YOI Elmley continues to improve following replacement of older devices and strengthening of the local audit process.

Response
To mitigate the smuggling of contraband into prisons, such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones, HMPPS has specialist staff and equipment which in recent years has expanded to include X-ray body scanners, airport-stye Enhanced Gate Security, and X-ray baggage scanners. More recently, it is acknowledged that drone activity presents a growing threat across the closed estate and there has been investment of over £40 million into new physical security measures to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars. £10 million of this funding has specifically been spent on counter-drone measures such as window replacements, external window grilles and specialist netting. HMPPS is also working closely with law enforcement in this area, and the Director General of the National Crime Agency has directed police chiefs to work with HMPPS to jointly tackle the threat drones pose. A large-scale joint operation between the police and HMPPS has already resulted in over 200 arrests linked to drones smuggling contraband into prisons. Locally HMP/YOI Elmley will continue to work with national intelligence, the police, and regional security units to prevent and disrupt drone activity. During the recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons Independent Review of Progress published on 30 March 2026 this found that the prison had made notable progress in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs. The prison has strengthened its response by acting swiftly on intelligence, improving physical security measures such as window-grille upgrades, deepening operational partnership with local police, and increasing support for those struggling with substance misuse.

Response
Turning to your concerns regarding the current cell clearance process, a revised version of the Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework was published on 17 November 2025 after your reporting period. This provides additional guidance on common areas of difficulty, including the correct completion of the cell clearance certificate. These changes are a result of carefully consideration of the IMB national thematic report on the impact of property loss on prisoners, the thematic review by the PPO Independent Prisoner Complaint Investigations of the property complaints and consultation with prison staff on the issues these thematic reports highlighted. Whilst the suggestion of using Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) in the process is noted, the BWVC Policy Framework does not provide for the recording of routine work practices. There are currently no anticipated plans to change the intended purpose of BWVCs and any amendment to this Framework would require an assessment of legality, resource, data protection and formal consultation. Their purpose is in response to incidents or pre-emptively, where the member of staff is aware that the prisoner may become volatile or has a history of violence in certain circumstances. Activation of a BWVC must be justifiable, necessary, and proportionate to commence recording. However, it is acknowledged locally at the prison that there have been cases where property has been insufficiently recorded or gone missing. The prison has therefore reinforced staff instructions around cell-security procedures, strengthened supervision of cell-clearance practices, and the monitoring of compliance through local assurance processes.

Response
It is recognised that prison is not the right environment for people with severe mental illness and delays continue to be experienced for those who may require treatment in hospital under the Mental Health Act. The Mental Health Act 2025 now introduces a statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers from prison to hospital. This reform is due to commence within 18-24 months post Royal Assent and health and justice partners are committed to making this reform within the published timeframe with an NHSE-led National Mental Health & Justice Strategic Advisory Group (MHJSAG) established to oversee and monitor the transfer process. NHS England are actively engaged in national and regional programmes of work to strengthen pathways, reduce delays, and support consistent progress toward achieving the expected 28-day transfer time limit. Data performance indicators are being used to improve integrated processes both regionally and nationally and to compliment this work a draft escalation process is being developed for those individuals who require transfer but are at risk of immediate release due to their legal status. In the meantime, HMP/YOI Elmley continues to liaise with the local healthcare provider and regular case reviews are being undertaken for those individuals awaiting transfer to escalate these cases.