Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board is concerned that prisoners’ excess personal property will continue to be lost or mislaid, as long as all ‘sending prisons’ are not required to enforce the same volumetric property controls.
Mental Health
Repeated
It takes too long to transfer prisoners with mental health problems to secure mental health facilities, often resulting in prolonged stays in the CSU.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
As noted in last year’s report, there has been an increase in the number of prisoners held at HMP Stocken who are out of the area. This, coupled with the rural location of the prison, makes keeping family ties difficult. Although social video calls are available, not every prisoner’s family have the knowledge or means to make use of this facility.
Safety
Repeated
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?
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
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.
Other
Certain prisoners held in the CSU on suspicion of illicit activities are not sufficiently briefed by the security department about the reasons for their investigation.
Equality/Diversity
Some members of the SMT don’t seem to be fully committed to the aims of the equality and diversity department, particularly in regard to the implications of the wealth of data available on a monthly basis.
Other
With constant moves of prisoners in and out of HMP Stocken, it is difficult to recruit and maintain prisoner representatives.
Healthcare
The healthcare unit has gone through a difficult period this reporting year, with a high turnover in staff, although, from the Board’s observations, they have worked hard to limit the impact this has had on the prisoners. However, one result of this has been that there has been long delays in healthcare staff replying to prisoners’ applications/complaints.
Healthcare
As reported below, a new pharmacy opened towards the end of the reporting year. However, a number of prisoners have reported issues in applications to the Board. It is hoped that the appointment of permanent pharmacy technicians, rather than relying on agency staff, will improve the situation.
Estate/Conditions
However, despite some repairs being carried out, the oldest wings are showing signs of their age.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
However, towards the end of the reporting year, the amount of time prisoners spend out of their cells in the late afternoon/evening period has been restricted. This is due to the increased drone activity.