Mental Health
Repeated
The Board remains concerned that there is no centrally directed, long-term solution to the injustice of the IPP sentence and its impact on the mental health and wellbeing of affected prisoners.
Resettlement/Release
The Board recognises the work undertaken in education and vocational training within the prison. It also recognises the desire to build relationships with external partners to support prisoners’ integration on release into the community. Are there any initiatives the Government is able to facilitate to enable prisons that hold prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) to build meaningful national partnerships with employers and charities? The Board is also interested in what actions the Government can take to encourage appropriate employment opportunities on release?
Healthcare
Repeated
What immediate steps will HMPPS take to ensure that prisoners at HMP Rye Hill can access timely and clinically appropriate healthcare, given the persistent missed appointments and delays in obtaining GP appointments, mental‑health assessments, and specialist referrals that are placing prisoners at risk and undermining statutory equivalence of care?
Healthcare
Repeated
With a disproportionately older population at HMP Rye Hill, coupled with the increasing difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare, the Board remains concerned that this is becoming an area that needs closer attention to avoid risk of harm. Are there any additional steps you can take to avoid the cancellation of hospital appointments related to prison staffing issues?
Safety
The physical demands of the work, the noise levels, and the lack of protective equipment were raised by prisoners as concerns.
Equality/Diversity
Some individuals, particularly those with disabilities, neurodiversity, or limited dexterity, stated entry level roles may be disproportionately difficult, with limited scope for progression if additional support is not effectively implemented.
Complaints/Property
Complaints responses where the explanation has been overly brief, and the tone, at times, curt. Particular concerns about responses have been raised by the Board to secure better understanding and clarity for prisoners.
Other
12 of these applications related to property being lost during a prisoner's transfer from another prison to HMP Rye Hill.