Lewes

I acknowledge the Board’s concerns: prisons are not appropriate environments for individuals with severe mental illness. The proposed expansion of mental health services within custodial settings is primarily driven by the increasing number of individuals entering detention with complex mental health needs and comorbid conditions. In response, the Commissioning Team and Health Provider are collaborating to strengthen support, specifically through the Early Days in Custody model. Additionally, the recommendations of the 2024 review by the Centre for Mental Health Studies inform discussions with the Health Provider regarding staff increases. The Mental Health Bill introduces a statutory time limit of 28 days for the transfer of individuals from prison and other places of detention to hospital. To support this, NHS England is implementing measures to overcome barriers, while the Mental Health and Justice Strategic Advisory Group offers clinical leadership, advice and oversight across the pathway to enact this reform. The plan is expected to be rolled out 18-24 months following Royal Assent.

A study is underway to determine the most effective solution, whether replacing the gas main or installing a centralised boiler plant, based on sustainability, efficiency and speed of delivery. However, maintenance demands significantly exceed the funding available and HMPPS must prioritise works, focusing on risks to life, capacity and decency. In the interim, Government Facilities Services Limited (GFSL) has upgraded the initial emergency installations with more efficient temporary boilers, ensuring a more consistent supply of heating and hot water at HMP/YOI Lewes.

The unexpected departure of the previous Consultant Psychiatrist led to a temporary gap in service provision. However, a substantive Consultant Psychiatrist commenced work in October 2024. During the interim, Consultant cover was provided, with urgent cases prioritised to ensure continuity of care. When in post, the newly appointed Consultant undertook a review of the waiting list, which had grown during the interim. This led to a reduction in waiting times, with urgent cases now seen within two working days. Service delivery is now meeting the standards of the service specification. Additionally, NHS commissioners are scheduled to undertake a health needs analysis to assess whether the current mental health provision aligns with the needs of the prison population at HMP/YOI Lewes.

From 1/2/25 to 31/1/26, the prison reduced self-harm by 221 incidents compared with the previous reporting period (432 incidents compared with 651). This is a 34% reduction in self-harm in 2025/26.

The remand strategy is fully implemented at HMP Lewes and was recognised in the HMIP inspection (June 2025) as positive practice: ‘…remanded prisoners could now expect help on arrival for their immediate needs, from dedicated oversight by a prisoner offender manager, an initial meeting with a pre-release team representative, assistance from third sector providers and support leading up to their release… these changes marked a clear and positive shift since the previous inspection.’

The new regime introduced in November 2024 created some conflicts in the regime that impacted the attendance into education. These have been reviewed and attendance has steadily improved, averaging to just under 70% for the year against allocation. We have seen proactive work in identifying prisoners’ educational needs and a much-improved picture in progressing prisoners in English and maths.