Stocken

Given that HMP Stocken is one of the larger public-run prisons in England, when is ‘enhanced’ gate security going to be improved with up-to-date equipment?

I have read your report carefully and note your request for an update on Enhanced Gate Security (EGS). EGS is one of the priorities of both the Governor and Prison Group Director with funding and resources being made available earlier this year. However, the quote to complete the work far exceeded the funding agreed. The physical space inside the gate house is simply too small to fit all of the equipment and associated infrastructure. Therefore, either sizeable building works were required, or the installation of a modular unit to accommodate everything required. This scope increased the costs to well above the financial threshold approved. However, an x-ray baggage scanner was provided to the prison in February 2024 to enhance HMP Stocken’s prisoner property searching capabilities.

With the ageing prison population, when are more cells suitable for those with disability or mobility issues going to be made available? Even on the new wing opened last year, there are no ‘disabled’ cells, only two ‘low mobility’ cells, which can’t accommodate a hospital bed.

It is recognised that the rise in the number of older prisoners over the past 20 years has caused issues for some prisons, particularly around their often complex health and social care needs. The physical prison estate can present challenges for this cohort, and the new prison places we are building are accessible by design and will significantly increase the number of cells adapted to the needs of those with mobility issues and physical disabilities across the estate. At HMP Stocken there are a number of accessible cells available that are occupied by prisoners on the recommendation of healthcare, based on the level of need. There are also a number of other reasonable adjustments (e.g. fitted hand rails) that have been made to standard cells to support prisoners with varying needs.

Until ‘sending prisons’ are required to apply volumetric controls, property in excess of these will continue to be mislaid or lost. When will the Prison Service enforce its own restrictions on transferring prisoners?

HMPPS note the Board’s concerns about the handling of prisoners’ property. The findings in the IMB national thematic report on how property loss impacts on prisoners, as well as those received from Independent Prisoner Complaint Investigations following a thematic review of the property complaints they have received in the last five years, are being considered. Since receiving the reports, Governors and other senior leaders have been reminded of the most important property handling points. This includes the need to ensure compliance with volumetric control limits. Consultation is taking place with prisons on further areas raised in the reports. Locally, HMP Stocken has put measures in place to limit the amount of property that prisoners can have in possession, including not accepting perishable items such as consumables.

The Board is concerned that certain prisoners held in the CSU on suspicion that they are involved in illicit activities within the prison are not sufficiently briefed by the security department about the reasons why they are under investigation.

It takes too long to transfer mentally ill prisoners to secure mental health facilities. This often means that they have to be held in the care and separation unit (CSU) for their own safety for extended periods of time.

The Ministry is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to introduce a Mental Health Bill as soon as possible. This will introduce reforms to improve access and support for patients in the criminal justice system, bearing in mind the pressures on such services nationally. NHS England will continue to escalate the demands for places within the prison population.