Woodhill

Given that many of the actions required to address the Urgent Notification depend on additional funding, resources and staffing, what further support will the Minister provide to ensure that the Governor can deliver the action plan effectively and sustainably?

What steps will the Minister take, working with relevant Government departments, to improve education and activity provision within the prison and address the impact of recent reductions in provision?

What action is underway to secure quality work contracts so that prisoners are provided with a sense of achievement alongside fulfilling employment and training?

What steps is the Prison Service taking to work with partners to secure higher-quality contract workshops?

When will the Prison Service radically overhaul the property system?

When will the Prison Service provide a digital service to replace handwritten property records, which will help reduce the current frustrating processes?

What steps will the Governor take, and by when, to ensure that data collection is standardised, reliable and sufficiently robust to enable effective monitoring of outcomes and performance?

What measures will the Governor put in place to reduce delays in the movement of general supplies, deliveries and prisoners’ property between RIDS (the prison facility for receiving and processing items) and the prison?

When, and through what specific measures, will the Governor strengthen the integration of education, vocational training and work within the regime to reduce the impact of officer shortages on the delivery of these activities?

How will the Governor encourage effective implementation of strategies for prisoners with complex needs, to consolidate awareness and training?

Will the Minister work with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care to proactively monitor the progress of the new Mental Health Bill through Parliament and lobby for appropriate funding?

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Department of Health and Social Care will continue to work together on the implementation of the Mental Health Bill, and wider mental health provision in prisons. The Bill continues to progress towards Royal Assent, having now been through all three readings in both Houses. NHS England’s national team have completed the initial scoping work to ensure there is clinical leadership throughout the pathway to and from prison and secure hospital.

Will the Minister work with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care to provide education and training material to address the needs of neurodiverse prisoners?

Neurodiversity Support Managers (NSMs) have been rolled out across the prison estate. NSMs are responsible for implementing a whole-prisons approach to neurodiversity. This includes providing training and guidance for prison staff to equip them better to support neurodivergent individuals in their prison. A neurodiversity resource booklet for prison staff, aimed at showcasing the prisoner voice aims to increase awareness and understanding of neurodiversity within the prison population, as well as providing practical tips for improving support, and links to additional resources.

What steps will the Minister take to ensure the fabric and infrastructure can be raised to a decent standard and maintained thereafter?

There are a number of planned projects, including refurbishment of shower facilities, in-cell improvements and drone resistant wiring system (due to commence in January 2026), all of which will improve conditions. A project is also currently in development to upgrade and extend the existing CCTV infrastructure. In respect of ongoing maintenance of such improvements, the Governor will work collaboratively with the National Estates and Facilities Management Team to help ensure this. There is a major drive on cleanliness on the residential units, concurrent to the ordering of a full set of bedding for each prisoner to enable the prison to move to an organised one for one kit exchange system. The process for ordering cleaning and in-cell equipment on the residential units has been reviewed to make it more efficient. There is an additional initiative to set up a central painting party and yard cleaning party to further improve standards on the residential units.

How does the Minister intend to work with Government departments to facilitate and provide appropriate training and resettlement for prisoners?

New Commissioned Rehabilitative Service contracts are currently being procured and will go live in spring 2027. These future services will be commissioned as combined services that bring together support for different rehabilitative needs, including housing.

Will the Minister work with colleagues to provide more approved accommodation in order to support the parole boards’ recommendations for prisoners to be reintegrated into society?

A digitalised approach to Approved Premises referrals has been developed offering welcome improvements. A National Central Referral Unit oversees assessment for suitability and eligibility, matching individuals to placements, whilst maximising occupancy and use of national capacity.

To review the daily spend for prisoners in the light of the rise in the cost of living.

No response.

To review how capital budgets can more effectively be used to maintain the fabric of the prison estate.

No response. The projected on-site start date of May 2026 for the refurbishment of showers was deferred until August 2026.

To radically overhaul the property system within the Prison Service.

No response. Local issues delay distribution of property that has been transferred from other prisons - only designated drivers can move the property from the external goods reception to within the prison.

To ensure practical plans are in place to increase access to meaningful activity for all prisoners within the current resources.

Revised core day was implemented 27 April 2025.

To work with partners to improve access to suitable programmes for long-term prisoners.

Building Choices High Intensity Course became available during the year. There was a long waiting list, with participants prioritised according to their expected release dates.