Highpoint

In spite of the revised Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework, the Board continues to be concerned about the loss or delay of prisoners’ property in transfer between establishments, and refers you to Section 5.9. The Board, once again, asks for an urgent review into the handling of prisoners’ belongings.

I acknowledge the Board’s concerns regarding the handling of prisoners’ property and the request for a review. This continues to be an area to which HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is currently giving further attention. Careful consideration will be given to 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. As the Board identifies, a common area for problems is when excess prisoner property is forwarded on when a prisoner transfers. It is therefore key that prisoners comply with volumetric control limits, since anything within those limits will transfer with them in line with the current Prisoner Escort and Custody Service contract. HMPPS is focusing on what more can be done to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Framework. Local efforts at HMP Highpoint to address concerns continue with a review of systems and practices to ensure that prisoners receive their property more swiftly. The Reception Team have implemented an appointments system. This provides prisoners with an avenue to raise issues at the earliest opportunity directly with the team handling their property. There remains a necessity to police volumetric control limits and the prison will work collaboratively with staff and prisoners to ensure issues are managed and resolved.

There has been no improvement in the management of prisoners’ property within the prison, and the Board would also like to see an improvement in the handling of prisoners’ parcels within the Prison Security Framework.

I acknowledge the Board’s concerns regarding the handling of prisoners’ property and the request for a review. This continues to be an area to which HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is currently giving further attention. Careful consideration will be given to 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. As the Board identifies, a common area for problems is when excess prisoner property is forwarded on when a prisoner transfers. It is therefore key that prisoners comply with volumetric control limits, since anything within those limits will transfer with them in line with the current Prisoner Escort and Custody Service contract. HMPPS is focusing on what more can be done to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Framework. Local efforts at HMP Highpoint to address concerns continue with a review of systems and practices to ensure that prisoners receive their property more swiftly. The Reception Team have implemented an appointments system. This provides prisoners with an avenue to raise issues at the earliest opportunity directly with the team handling their property. There remains a necessity to police volumetric control limits and the prison will work collaboratively with staff and prisoners to ensure issues are managed and resolved.

Rail Track and construction: the Board would ask the Minister to acknowledge the excellent work carried out by the reducing reoffending team and the senior management team and would refer the Minister to the section 7.2.9.

Whilst I recognise that your report outlines that there is work to do to improve experiences and outcomes at HMP Highpoint, I was heartened to read your commentary on (and witness firsthand) the excellent work carried out by the Reducing Reoffending Team and Senior Management Team regarding the NetworkRail provision. I have long been an advocate of rehabilitation, and the innovative partnerships forged with Keltbray and Lynch are an epitome of this by providing meaningful opportunities for prisoners to change their lives.

During the reporting year, the Board has seen a considerable rise in the number of healthcare applications. There were 77 applications received compared with 38 in the previous year. The Board would ask that the Minster look into the reasons behind this.

I recognise the concerns that you have raised regarding the rise in the number of healthcare applications and the ask to investigate the reasons behind this. An exploration of the applications received indicates that trends are centred around patients not in agreement with the prescribing, requesting medication that is not available in a custodial setting or not indicated as best practice for a particular diagnosis. Locally it has been identified that a high number of prisoners arriving at HMP Highpoint require a medication review to bring medications in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines which can often be a point of contention. In addition to this there remains a national issue regarding the availability of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication due to shortages which is an additional source of complaint by prisoners. There have been no complaints escalated to the NHS England Commissioner, with the healthcare provider resolving issues at a local level. Issues of performance are routinely explored in all contract review meetings with the provider to ensure that patients receive the best possible care whilst at HMP Highpoint.

The Board continues to be seriously concerned about the service provided by Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL). Again, we request an urgent review of the works maintenance contract to ensure it fully meets the ongoing needs of a challenging prison environment.

HMPPS acknowledge the boards concerns and recognise that HMP Highpoint continues to be challenging regarding the delivery of the Facilities Management contract. Whilst we await the full implementation of outcomes (expected by 2026) following the review of national service provision through the Property Transformation Programme, we continue to work with GFSL management to ensure that HMP Highpoint remains a secure, safe and decent establishment. This includes reviewing the management structure with a view to setting up North and South management teams to give more accountability and focus and by continuing to invest in improving the establishment by progressing minor works projects totalling approximately 600k. Locally, the Governor has strong governance in place to support GFSL. A weekly meeting with GFSL Site Managers allows for concerns to be raised and ongoing projects to be discussed at the earliest opportunity. This allows for potential barriers to delivery to be identified and for necessary action to be taken to ensure that matters are being progressed. In addition to this a monthly meeting is held with Regional and Area colleagues to discuss performance in detail. Whilst backlogs do remain the data shows movement in a positive direction.

As noted in two previous annual reports, the netting around the prison blew down in a storm and was slowly being replaced (in most units). However, it has still not been completely replaced, all this time later. The prison is still vulnerable to ‘throwovers’ (where people from outside the prison throw parcels over the walls, which contain illicit items, to be picked up by prisoners) and the increased opportunity for contraband to get into the prison, which has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the prisoners.

It is acknowledged that the lack of netting has left certain areas of the prison vulnerable to ‘throwovers’. Increased checks of the external and internal perimeter and compound were some of the measures that locally the Governor introduced to mitigate some of the risks posed and proved successful in intercepting some throwovers. This work now forms part of the establishments’ wider security strategy. In May 2024 funding was approved to replace the netting for all identified areas, specifically units three, four, five, and ten. The project concluded in February 2025 thus enhancing safety standards across the site and reflects HMPPS continued commitment to maintain a safe, decent and secure environment.

The Board is aware that drug debt and fermenting liquids to brew prison alcohol are a major concern for the prison and we welcome the strategies, such as searches with specialist dogs and a designated search team (DST), which are being implemented to counteract this.