Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The low availability of spaces in approved premises (supervised accommodation) can result in a delay in progression to release on parole for a small number of prisoners, which the Board believes is unjust
Other
Repeated
Nearly all the 69 prisoners on indeterminate IPP (imprisonment for public protection) sentences in the prison remain in prison beyond their indicative tariff... The IMB regards this as deeply unfair, particularly as Parliament has recognised that the sentence was unjust in the first place
Education/Purposeful Activity
The IMB is concerned that such a funding reduction [40% reduction in education hours] represents a significant challenge to Leyhill
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board remains concerned about property transfers between Leyhill and other establishments, with items often reported lost or misplaced. The 2022 national prisoners’ property policy framework sought to address storage issues through volumetric control... However, the policy has not been fully implemented at all locations.
Safety
The emergency call buttons on residential landings and pull alarms in recesses are not working. This is a risk to the more elderly and vulnerable prisoners.
Resettlement/Release
The Board acknowledges that the higher proportion of PCoSOs at Leyhill will make it more difficult to increase the number of prisoners in external employment.
Staffing
consistent tutor shortfalls due to sickness, holiday or delayed recruitment with no back-up provision.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board has noted regular faults affecting the installed BT phones. Reported issues have been linked to cabling, handsets, on-site hardware and software. At times, these faults have been resulted in extended periods of reduced access or complete failure, which can contribute to prisoner frustration and stress.