Key concerns 13 items
Key concerns were extracted from the report text by an AI model.
Key concern 1
Overcrowding · Repeated from a previous year
Overcrowding and the high number of prisoners with mental health issues require a radical review.
Key concern 2
Substance Misuse · Repeated from a previous year
Drugs – the ‘epidemic’ (as we see it) of drug taking on the wings, mainly NPS (new psychoactive substances)/Spice, continues, blighting the lives of prisoners, challenging the staff, and frequently placing demands on the NHS/Ambulance Service. Some steps appear to have been taken, and the security team does a sterling job, in our view, in identifying and pursuing those involved. But until such time as the flaws in the decaying physical infrastructure are addressed, we fully expect the problems to continue at current levels – which we consider unacceptable.
Key concern 3
Estate/Conditions · Repeated from a previous year
Persistent deficiencies in the physical prison estate, including inadequate windows and non-functioning perimeter cameras, enable the smuggling of contraband.
Key concern 4
Staffing · Repeated from a previous year
OMU: the Board views the ongoing shortage of OMU staff, the attendant high caseloads and the number of prisoners without a POM (more than 20% of the roll – see §7.3) as scandalous, and it is our view that action should be taken.
Key concern 5
Other · Repeated from a previous year
However, transferred property frequently remains at other establishments, resulting in loss claims and distress among prisoners.
Key concern 6
Other
Procurement: the saga of the contract for the provision and maintenance of the on-wing laundries (see §5.2) was in the view of the Board, wholly avoidable. It raises serious questions for us about the processes and procedures that are followed within HMPPS.
Key concern 7
Education/Purposeful Activity · Repeated from a previous year
Delays in workshop renovations and concerns that, even after completion, there will be insufficient work/training places for the increasing prison population.
Key concern 8
Education/Purposeful Activity
Concerns about the future of education provision, particularly suggestions that teaching hours may be reduced significantly.
Key concern 9
Overcrowding · Repeated from a previous year
As noted in our previous report, the Board continues to be concerned by the doubling up of single cells, albeit at a lower level than previously, a process which is aided by the fact that the promises made to the Governor that the introduction of the new Horizon wing, with 50 cells, would allow 20 cells with two prisoners to revert to single occupancy (i.e. a net roll gain of 30) were kept, albeit taking effect after the end of the year under review.
Key concern 10
Estate/Conditions
It is clear that showers on some wings need urgent refurbishment. There is an ongoing programme, but it does not keep pace with wear and tear given the constant use.
Key concern 11
Equality/Diversity · Repeated from a previous year
The Board remains concerned about accessibility. It is clear to the Board that facilities for disabled prisoners are very limited, with poor wheelchair access across the majority of wings and the estate in general. Prisoners with mobility needs are faced with long distances between wings, healthcare, the visits hall, while some education classrooms and the library are all located on the first floor. They are no disabled showers available on the wings, except for the wheelchair cells on Nash wing. As reported previously, any prisoner who uses a wheelchair or has mobility issues and is prescribed medication is required to attend the medical hatch on the first floor to receive it, despite there being no lift. In speaking to the healthcare team, we were informed that their staff are not allowed to attend a prisoner’s cell to dispense medication or make alternative arrangements. On occasion, disabled prisoners have had to be carried up the stairs by other prisoners, as there is no provision for wheelchairs. This is totally unacceptable and falls well short of a duty of care.
Key concern 12
Estate/Conditions
The CSU is in need of a major refurbishment, in the Board’s view. Windows need replacing as cells become cold and draughty in the winter and very hot in the summer. This is not a suitable environment for prisoners who are isolated for over 23 hours a day.
Key concern 13
Other · Repeated from a previous year
Poor data quality and reliability hinder effective monitoring, analysis, and decision-making by prison management and HMPPS.