Standford Hill

While the Board understands the need for the early or additionally supervised release of prisoners, we are concerned that this can result in open prisons being under capacity and could diminish the rehabilitative role of the prison. The impact of this on the open estate needs to be considered.

I fully understand the Board’s concern around population pressures and the impact this has on the open estate. On 12 July, the Lord Chancellor announced an interim measure to free up prison places by temporarily reducing the time those sentenced to Standard Determinate Sentences (SDS) will serve in prison from 50% to 40%. This measure, known as SDS40, will not apply to prisoners sentenced for most sexual offences and certain domestic-abuse related offences irrespective of length. It will also exclude serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more. There are no easy or risk-free options given the challenges HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) is currently facing across both services and I appreciate the pressures that come with this. However, I am confident that once the SDS40 changes have been implemented, it will enable HMPPS to cease the use of End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) and return to a period of stability. We also recognise that there is a likelihood SDS40 will have a considerable effect on the open estate with a large turnover of prisoners, particularly with the second tranche of releases later this October. I would like to reassure the Board that the Prison Group Director and his team will monitor and work closely to ensure prisoners are held in appropriate prisons in accordance with their categorisation as much as possible. The utilisation of spaces will be carefully monitored to ensure stability is maintained, with adjustments made to meet any new population needs whilst ensuring there is minimal impact on the delivery of services. We will assess the impact of these measures on the estate-wide population as time goes by. Our immediate focus is on the implementation of the SDS40 policy and work is ongoing across all probation regions to deliver the changes. These measures are being applied both prospectively and retrospectively to the current prison population to prevent us from reaching critical capacity and enable HMPPS to gain the headroom needed in the system. HMPPS will deliver SDS40 in a way that prioritises public safety and those released will be subject to strict probation supervision, and where necessary conditions like tagging and curfews, and they will be subject to return to prison if these conditions are breached. HMPPS is continuing to utilise the open estate as efficiently as possible in order to maximise usage across the whole of the prison estate.

The Board continues to be extremely dissatisfied with the performance of Government Facility Services Ltd (GFSL). When the service provider model is reviewed, it is essential that we do not see the same poor level of service under another name.

It was regrettable to hear of the Board’s ongoing dissatisfaction around the performance of Gov Facilities Services Ltd (GFSL). GFSL Projects have continued to have issues with staffing and their suppliers, particularly the consultants carrying out the structural surveys. Whilst there are no doubts concerns exist around overall performance and management of facilities, I have been informed that locally the prison has a good working relationship with the GFSL Site Team and most issues have been resolved when raised. I understand the aging of the site also provides challenges to the local team based on their current resources. Local management are aware of the need to improve certain areas of the prison that falls within GFSL responsibility and will continue to closely monitor the progress of work required.

The performance of GFSL continues to be slow and unacceptable.

It was regrettable to hear of the Board’s ongoing dissatisfaction around the performance of Gov Facilities Services Ltd (GFSL). GFSL Projects have continued to have issues with staffing and their suppliers, particularly the consultants carrying out the structural surveys. Whilst there are no doubts concerns exist around overall performance and management of facilities, I have been informed that locally the prison has a good working relationship with the GFSL Site Team and most issues have been resolved when raised. I understand the aging of the site also provides challenges to the local team based on their current resources. Local management are aware of the need to improve certain areas of the prison that falls within GFSL responsibility and will continue to closely monitor the progress of work required.

The unsafe buildings within the Standford Hill estate need to be made safe and additional facilities made available. We consider the response to this possible health and safety situation so far to have been unacceptable and, indeed, too slow.

Areas identified as having potential health and safety issues were the OMU and IMB offices. The OMU offices were immediately decanted and taken out of use. A survey of the IMB office was completed in September 2024 and a report is awaited before remedial action can be taken accordingly. The Salt Barn Building was also considered as being potentially dangerous in high winds. GFSL carried out their own risk assessment on this. Currently, there are no plans to refurbish HMP/YOI Standford Hill however, all requests from the establishment will be considered, noting that demands for maintenance are much greater than the available funding. Therefore, once a bid for a project is received, HMPPS has to prioritise works very carefully to make best use of that funding, focusing on risk to life and risk to capacity and decency.

Scanning equipment needs to be installed to enhance the security of the site.

The X-ray Body Scanner Policy Framework which governs the use of this technology is only applicable for the adult male closed estate. There are currently no plans or central funds to extend this to the open estate. Given open prisons have different risks of conveyance and several potential entry routes for illicit items to enter, it is unlikely that X-ray body scanners would be an effective solution. With regards to X-ray baggage scanners, a national contract is place if local investment is available and it is deemed necessary by the site. Local management are making an effort to secure an X-Ray machine to be installed in the reception area for use on property entering the site.

Technological solutions to monitor prisoners when outside the prison should be investigated.

HMPPS recognises that technology could play a useful role in streamlining the monitoring of individuals that are granted Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). Further to last years’ response, HMPPS has now piloted the technology used to facilitate remote medical appointments. This was completed in December 2023 and an evaluation process is being conducted before determining whether this could be implemented more widely. Policy officials are working to explore what else could be done in this area. Locally, in addition to the pilot, HMP/YOI Standford Hill are exploring possibilities of purchasing geo-tagged photo technology from existing providers available within the private sector. The aim is to complete a pilot for this technology for use as a ROTL monitoring tool.

We are unhappy with the equipment in the laundry and funding for replacements is essential.

There have been issues obtaining funding for the Offender Management Unit (OMU) Portacabin and the laundry dryers. Funding has now been confirmed to replace four end-of-life tumble dryers and GFSL are awaiting quotes to conduct surveys on the leaking laundry roof. A start date to investigate and address possible subsidence to the OMU offices, Mclean House, and Quad Stores Building remains an outstanding issue. This is the same for the proposed extensive investigations/excavations of the swimming pool and gymnasium. A new Portacabin to house OMU staff is currently being tendered, and repairs to the Salt Barn roof/walls and scope of works have been agreed and are currently going through the tender process.

As in previous years, we remain dissatisfied with the performance of GFSL.

It was regrettable to hear of the Board’s ongoing dissatisfaction around the performance of Gov Facilities Services Ltd (GFSL). GFSL Projects have continued to have issues with staffing and their suppliers, particularly the consultants carrying out the structural surveys. Whilst there are no doubts concerns exist around overall performance and management of facilities, I have been informed that locally the prison has a good working relationship with the GFSL Site Team and most issues have been resolved when raised. I understand the aging of the site also provides challenges to the local team based on their current resources. Local management are aware of the need to improve certain areas of the prison that falls within GFSL responsibility and will continue to closely monitor the progress of work required.

The condition of some of the buildings on site is not good and additional funding needs to be obtained to ensure this is addressed.

Areas identified as having potential health and safety issues were the OMU and IMB offices. The OMU offices were immediately decanted and taken out of use. A survey of the IMB office was completed in September 2024 and a report is awaited before remedial action can be taken accordingly. The Salt Barn Building was also considered as being potentially dangerous in high winds. GFSL carried out their own risk assessment on this. Currently, there are no plans to refurbish HMP/YOI Standford Hill however, all requests from the establishment will be considered, noting that demands for maintenance are much greater than the available funding. Therefore, once a bid for a project is received, HMPPS has to prioritise works very carefully to make best use of that funding, focusing on risk to life and risk to capacity and decency.