Source · IMB Annual Report
Werrington
Year: 2024
Published: 21 Feb 2025
Type: Prison · Cat YOI
Population: 83
Recommendations: 13
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMYOI Werrington's report for 2023-2024 highlights ongoing challenges with violence, inadequate education, and poor time out of room, despite some improvements in conflict resolution and healthcare provision. Staffing shortages in social care and difficulties in monitoring segregation contribute to key concerns. The Board raises several recommendations to the Minister, Youth Custody Service, Local Authority, and Governor to address these issues and improve conditions for young people.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm incidents | 136 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 93 | 58 |
| Prisoner assaults | 154 | 121 |
| Assaults on staff | 150 | 113 |
| Use of force | 768 | 733 |
| Drug finds | 24 | — |
Positive findings
The Board saw improvements in conflict resolution and reducing reoffending. Management appeared to show care for the wellbeing of young people. Health and wellbeing continued to be good, with needs met by physical and mental health departments. Resettlement work remained impressive, with practitioners working towards positive discharges and transfers. There was a further reduction in young people who self-harmed and a dramatic decrease in substance misuse referrals.
Key concerns
Safety
The Board remains very concerned with the general level of violence, we are still concerned at the severity of some of the incidents, as well as the number of fights and assaults.
Safety
We observed an increase in self-isolation.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Confidential conversations were usually impossible, because young people could not be unlocked and could not be accommodated in a separate room where they could talk freely.
Mental Health
The Board was disappointed to see the limited progress in the implementation of the Framework for Integrated Care throughout the establishment.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The Board is seriously concerned about educational provision, which is still wholly inadequate, due to restricted regime, violence, ‘keep-aparts’ and contractual issues.
Resettlement/Release
The Board believes it is inhumane that about a quarter of young people, who are legally recognised as children, are accommodated at Werrington from the other end of the country, far away from family?
Education/Purposeful Activity
limited provision for supporting young people working towards GCSEs and other, higher qualifications within the education contract?
Food/Catering
Are the food portions issued to young people, who are physically developing, adequate for their age?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
How can young people’s hours out of room be returned to the previous healthy pre-pandemic levels so there is an increase in purposeful activity?
Staffing
Repeated
How can young people develop more positive relationships with the staff they see most of?
Segregation
Repeated
How can the progress of young people on R49 be monitored remotely by the IMB when the paperwork is so infrequently sent, even though this has been requested on numerous occasions?
Safety
Why has the number of young people self-isolating increased?
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Meaningful education data: the lack of easily accessible data remains a source of frustration to the Board (this repeats a concern referenced in our previous report).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Route movements: The process of getting young people to and from classes is risk-based to take account of keep-aparts. It is very time-consuming and significantly reduces lesson time (this is a repeat concern).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Separated children: provision of wing-based education for separated young people is inadequate, with insufficient face-to-face delivery by qualified tutors (this is a repeat concern).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Allocations: during this year, the Board has become aware that several young people are allocated to classes simply on the basis of who they can mix with, rather than the learner’s preference or any assessment of the most suitable provision.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Behaviour: low-level poor behaviour, such as swearing and inappropriate comments, is not always challenged by teachers or prison staff (this is a repeat concern).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Class cancellations: classes are cancelled because prison or education staff are not available.
Safety
Repeated
Security: teaching staff have reported to the Board that they do not always feel safe. There are many occasions where young people are returned from class because of violent or disruptive behaviour. There have been a number of incidents in the reporting year when teaching staff have been assaulted, one of which resulted in hospitalisation (this is a repeat concern).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Higher level learning: whilst many of the young people at Werrington may have been out of mainstream education for some time, there are a number who can achieve at a higher level. Support for these children is extremely limited and has the potential to affect their life-chances. This situation must improve (this is a repeat concern).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Communication: there is no clear communication channel for children who have issues around their education provision.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board is, again, very disappointed that young people could not, at the start of the reporting period, access books other than the tattered few on the wings.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The Board is not satisfied with the variety of vocational classes available. Young people are often unable to pursue the pathway of their choice.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
With the closure of YOI Cookham Wood, the Board believes it is inhumane that about a quarter of young people, who are legally recognised as children, are accommodated at Werrington from the other end of the country, far away from family? How does the Minister intend to address this serious issue?
Repeated
Response
I have read your report with care and understand the Board’s concern about the location of young people in custody in proximity to their family following the function change of HMYOI Cookham Wood from children to adults. Whilst this Government has inherited an incredibly challenging financial position, we recognise that we do need to take realistic steps towards changing the youth custodial estate, as well as improving the outcomes for the young people in our care. We also realise that longer term, we should be moving away from large-scale institutions. Instead, we should be working towards a secure estate made up of smaller units, as we know that these units, with higher ratios of staff, lead to better outcomes for young people and this is in our future strategy. As a first step, the opening of the Oasis Restore Secure School marks a significant shift in the secure estate with its aim to provide the best possible environment for the care and rehabilitation of young people. |
Ministry of Justice | In progress |
| 2 |
The Board would like to know if the Minister believes that the implementation of Framework for Integrated Care has really improved the quality of the lives of young people in custody. And, if not, what steps will the Minister take to address this problem?
Response
In addition, further focus is being put on the principles of the Framework for Integrated Care to drive improvement and provide these better outcomes. The Youth Custody Service (YCS) has developed a clear roadmap to effective practice, in partnership with NHS England, education providers and psychology services. The roadmap will use these principles to focus on critical outcomes which every Young Offenders Institution (YOI) in England within the YCS will use as a business plan with clear performance metrics to drive change in areas such as safety, behaviour management, and education. |
Ministry of Justice | In progress |
| 3 |
As an increasing proportion of young people in custody are over 18 years. If there is a safeguarding concern, how does the local authority continue to address their needs?
Response
The YCS has a Transitions Framework to support those who are turning 18 and are transferring to the adult estate to ensure a comprehensive handover is completed. It remains the case that any safeguarding concerns for those under 18 years old are referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer. Those who have turned 18 years old and have looked after status will continue to be supported by their Local Authority. The YCS continues to work alongside the national Young Adults lead to ensure there is ongoing support and learning in place. |
Other | In progress |
| 4 |
Why is there such limited provision for supporting young people working towards GCSEs and other, higher qualifications within the education contract?
Response
The Board’s concern about academic qualification provision is acknowledged and the education provider for HMYOI Werrington has already been issued with an Improvement Notice by the YCS as a contractual mechanism to address provision. The improvement notice covers the lack of learner outcomes and the education providers delivery of appropriate GCSE qualifications. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 5 |
Are the food portions issued to young people, who are physically developing, adequate for their age?
Response
The standards that must be met when planning food and drink provision in custody are currently set out in the Catering Operating Manual. These standards are based on UK Government dietary recommendations which are specific to adult males, adult women and young people. The Board can be assured that the average daily calorie count at HMYOI Werrington is 3030 which is slightly above what is recommended for an active teenager. In addition, the Catering Operating Manual is being reviewed and will be replaced by a Catering Policy Framework in due course. In the interim a standardised recipe bank, analysed by a dietitian and nutritionist, is currently being tested by over 30 sites. The recipes which plan to be used throughout HMPPS, will provide an average calorie counts and the Red Amber Green nutritional colour coded labelling. |
HMPPS | Implemented |
| 6 |
When will the new national dataset and KPIs for education, referred to in last year’s Ministerial response, come on stream and will they be available to the IMB?
Response
As noted in the Minister’s response, performance metrics are currently being reviewed as part of the roadmap to effective practice. This includes the existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and changes will be made to the current education contract to reflect this. The Governor locally will keep the Board informed of these changes. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 7 |
Is the YCS satisfied that education allocations are made in the best interests of young people?
Response
To monitor how many young people receive their preferred education options, the YCS keeps a record of their chosen course and keeps this under review. Whilst every effort is made to ensure they can attend their preferred options this may not always be possible. Where this is due to classes being full, the young person will be added to a waiting list. However, in some instances there may be mixing issues and it is important to make sure young people are able to learn safely. |
HMPPS | Noted |
| 8 |
Is the YCS satisfied that higher-level learners are sufficiently well catered for in prison?
Response
The Board’s frustration is understood as this has been an ongoing issue and forms part of the Improvement Notice. It is recognised that progress has been slow in this area and the YCS have escalated the lack of support, choice and enrolment for higher-level learners. |
HMPPS | In progress |
| 9 | Is there confidence that People Plus can meet the learning and curriculum needs of young people, including those who are over 18 years of age? | Governor / Director | |
| 10 |
How can young people’s hours out of room be returned to the previous healthy pre-pandemic levels so there is an increase in purposeful activity?
Repeated
Response
Time out of room. It would improve. |
Governor / Director | |
| 11 |
How can young people develop more positive relationships with the staff they see most of?
Repeated
Response
Officer and young person relationship. It would improve. |
Governor / Director | |
| 12 |
How can the progress of young people on R49 be monitored remotely by the IMB when the paperwork is so infrequently sent, even though this has been requested on numerous occasions?
Repeated
Response
Ability of the IMB to monitor R49 review process. Agreed that online monitoring by IMB could continue. |
Governor / Director | |
| 13 | Why has the number of young people self-isolating increased? | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 12 | 9 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 0 | 1 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives schemes, sanctions | 5 | 7 |
| Equality | 0 | 0 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 0 | 1 |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 0 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 0 | 1 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 3 | 2 |
| Miscellaneous | 13 | 15 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 0 | 0 |
| Property within the establishment | 1 | 2 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 12 | 8 |
| Sentence management, including HDC (home detention curfew), ROTL (release on temporary licence), parole, release dates, recategorisation | 1 | 0 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 3 | 12 |
| Transfers | 1 | 0 |
Other reports for Werrington
Report details
- Establishment
- Werrington
- Type
- Prison · Cat YOI
- Report year
- 2024
- Published
- 21 February 2025
- Responsible body
- Werrington
- Recommendations
- 13
Population
| Population | 83 |
| Operational capacity | 118 |
Service providers
Dental health
Time for Teeth
Education and purposeful activity
People Plus
Estate management
Amey
Mental health/substance misuse
Inclusion (Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)
Physical healthcare
Practice Plus Group