Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The longstanding and ongoing issues with legionella in the prison places all prisoners, particularly the elderly and vulnerable prisoners at increased risk of health problems. Whilst the Governor and senior leadership team continue to do their utmost to manage this risk, the IMB feel a permanent solution is long overdue.
Healthcare
Repeated
The longstanding and ongoing issues with legionella in the prison places all prisoners, particularly the elderly and vulnerable prisoners at increased risk of health problems. Whilst the Governor and senior leadership team continue to do their utmost to manage this risk, the IMB feel a permanent solution is long overdue.
Resettlement/Release
prisoners leaving HMP Stafford can face additional challenges due to their offending history.
Resettlement/Release
The Board acknowledged that prisoners leaving HMP Stafford could face additional challenges to gain employment due to their offending history. The prison had tried to forge links with various industries, but there had been limited success due to the reluctance of employers to recruit people convicted of a sexual offence. The Board recognised the reality of this situation and was keen to understand the Minister’s suggestions as to how this situation could be improved. A review of the national release on temporary licence (ROTL) policy would be welcomed by the Board as it is not currently accessible by people convicted of a sexual offence.
Resettlement/Release
At present prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs) are unable to be considered for release on temporary licence (ROTL). This national policy negatively impacts on prisoners at HMP Stafford from integrating into society and finding suitable employment prior to release.
Estate/Conditions
Much of HMP Stafford’s infrastructure, as one of, if not, the oldest fully functioning prison in England, does not meet modern standards.
Estate/Conditions
As HMP Stafford is currently one of, if not, the oldest fully functioning prison in England and much of its infrastructure does not meet modern standards
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The recent relocation of the SSG from the portacabin has resulted in the loss of access to outdoor space and the absence of adequate natural light in the new facility, reducing facilities for older prisoners.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The recent relocation of the SSG from the portacabin has resulted in the loss of access to outside space and the absence of adequate natural light in the new facility.
Mental Health
Recent gaps in the mental health and psychosocial substance misuse service leadership had reduced oversight and had impacted service delivery, with patients waiting for up to 34 weeks to access interventions.
Other
Whilst the prison did notify the Board when prisoners had been transferred to the CSU, communication was inconsistent. This was the same when notifying the Board about a Rule 45 hearing (to consider whether to authorise continued segregation) and negatively impacted the Board’s ability to attend all hearings.