Safety
Incidents of self-harm have increased, particularly since December 2023, although it is noted that some individuals are prolific self-harmers. There has also been an increase in the number of prisoners arriving at Rochester with a history of self-harming.
Safety
Levels of violence have increased. Analysis shows this increase is related to the transfer of prisoners who, in the past, would not have been considered suitable for a resettlement prison such as Rochester. Much of the violence is caused by drug-related debt and intimidation, and, for the first time, gangs.
Safety
The large open footprint of the prison makes it easy for illicit items to be thrown over its fences, and the use of drones delivering such items has been seen for the first time.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The majority of wings at the prison have a failing infrastructure and are just about meeting an acceptable level of accommodation.
Estate/Conditions
There is a continuing issue with vermin.
Staffing
The lack of probation officers at the prison has greatly impacted negatively on how prisoners are progressed towards release.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Education, skills training and behavioural programmes offer prisoners an opportunity to gain more life-skills. However, lack of trainers impacts on delivery of these services and affects a prisoner’s ability to follow their sentence plan.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board’s view is that more activity for prisoners is required, and it supports the prison in its aim to provide more meaningful occupation.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
While noting the Minister’s comments from last year, the Board is still aware of the limitation of suitable bail accommodation in the South East. The Board retains its view that re-offending rates cannot be reduced unless there is support for all prisoners who have completed their sentence or are being released on home detention curfew (HDC).
Staffing
The introduction of the early release schemes, while understandable given the pressures on the prison estate, have had repercussions for those staff managing this change. In particular, the lack of probation officers, both in the community and within the prison, is a serious problem.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The introduction of volumetric control of property does not seem to be working. As a prison from which prisoners are released, Rochester regularly receives property in excess of the volumetric control number. This in turn has to be sorted and stored, and is a time-wasting exercise for all concerned.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Many of the buildings at Rochester continue to deteriorate and, in the Board’s view, are barely meeting acceptable standards of accommodation. It would be useful to learn if Rochester is still part of the Long-term Prison Estate Strategy – as the Board’s continuing view is that it should be completely redeveloped.
Segregation
While there has been some improvement in cell-checks when a prisoner is moved to the CSU, there is still an ongoing problem with loss of the individual’s property in these circumstances.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The provision of escorts for all kinds of prisoner movements has been an ongoing issue for some time – causing delays to activities and missed healthcare and other appointments.
Resettlement/Release
Too many transferring prisoners arrive without their possessions, including family photographs (the loss of which is detrimental to their wellbeing). It is a needless source of frustration for both prisoners and hard-pressed wing staff who are left to deal with the consequences.
Resettlement/Release
Too many prisoners are released to be homeless.