Source · IMB Annual Report
Stafford
Year: 2024
Published: 5 Sep 2024
Type: Prison · Cat C
Population: 746
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Stafford, a Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offenses, is largely perceived as safe and calm, with commendations for staff and positive developments in medicines management. However, the Board raised significant concerns over persistent legionella issues and inadequate shower facilities, ongoing staff shortages impacting regime, and the unaddressed plight of IPP prisoners. Challenges also include the poor state of healthcare facilities, insufficient neurodiversity support funding, and difficulties in Board member recruitment.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 5 | 12 |
| Self-harm incidents | 131 | 105 |
| ACCT cases opened | 160 | 150 |
| Prisoner assaults | 12 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 1 | 8 |
| Use of force | 57 | 81 |
| Drug finds | 30 | — |
Positive findings
HMP Stafford is frequently commented by prisoners as a safe establishment where they are treated fairly, humanely, and have their health and wellbeing needs met. Staff efforts maintain a calm environment despite leadership churn. The induction process is well-managed, and the establishment remains remarkably clean. Significant improvements were noted in medicines management by Practice Plus Group, with automated dispensing lockers appreciated by prisoners. Education and purposeful activity, provided by Novus and Prospects Training, deliver very good service and positive outcomes, with 94% of prisoners purposefully engaged. The IMB also commended the ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, including the opening of a new ED&I Hub and increased focus on neurodiverse prisoners.
Key concerns
Staffing
Constant change in Number One Governor, causing churn and potential impact on long-term strategy.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Persistent legionella presence in the water supply, leading to significant expenditure, inconvenience for prisoners and staff, and ongoing flushing/testing.
Staffing
Repeated
Ongoing staff shortages impacting the 'normal' running of the prison, resulting in lost activities (e.g., social video calls) and wing closures, particularly due to detached duty.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Continued failure to address the release requirements of IPP prisoners, leading to frustration, lack of hope, and feelings of injustice.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Deteriorating condition of roadways within the prison, posing health and safety risks, with significant work remaining to be done despite some recent repairs.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Ongoing shower refurbishment and legionella outbreaks negatively impacting prisoners without in-cell showers, with only 63-75% of showers working at times.
Food/Catering
Impact of cost of living increases on food budgets, resulting in reduced menu choices and restricted availability of some items.
Segregation
Untimely notification from the prison regarding Rule 45 hearings, limiting the Board's ability to monitor these segregation placements.
Equality/Diversity
Insufficient budget allocation (£1500) for neurodiversity support, despite 40% of prisoners being neurodiverse and the importance of this area.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Persistently high number of property issues, particularly concerning items lost during prisoner transfers, a known national problem.
Healthcare
Repeated
Healthcare consulting rooms and facilities are not fully fit for purpose, with little improvement and some deterioration since previous inspections, impacting service delivery.
Resettlement/Release
Difficulty in securing work for prisoners convicted of sexual offences, and prisoners’ perception of very low pay for workshop activities compared to other prisons.
Resettlement/Release
HMP Stafford is not designated or resourced as a resettlement prison, potentially limiting the scope of resettlement services.
Other
Repeated
Recruitment and retention of IMB Board members remains a major issue, impacting the Board's capacity.
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 3 | 4 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 2 | 13 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 3 | 7 |
| Equality | 6 | 1 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 6 | 9 |
| Food and kitchens | 4 | 7 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 26 | 34 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 21 | 20 |
| Miscellaneous | 17 | 25 |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 16 | 5 |
| Property within the establishment | 16 | 25 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 8 | 20 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 7 | 12 |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 11 | 25 |
| Transfers | 5 | 3 |
Related inspections & investigations
19 Nov 2024
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 4
· Activity 3
· Release 3
Other reports for Stafford
Report details
- Establishment
- Stafford
- Type
- Prison · Cat C
- Report year
- 2024
- Published
- 5 September 2024
- Responsible body
- HMP Stafford
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 3 — Good
Population
| Population | 746 |
| Operational capacity | 753 |
Service providers
Canteen
DHL
Education services
Novus and Prospects Training
Escort contractor
GEOAmey
Facilities management
Amey plc
Library services
Staffordshire County Council
Mental health provider
PPG: subcontracted to Inclusion and MPFT (Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)
Physical health and social care provider
Practice Plus Group (PPG)
Visits management
Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT)