Moorland

Predict when the statutory limit of 28 days for transfers of prisoners needing secure psychiatric care will be passed into law.

The Draft Mental Health Bill, published in June 2022, has recently been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny…At this point, I am not able to indicate when the statutory transfer time limit (28 days) to a mental health hospital will come into effect…

Can increased staffing be provided so that the important activity of key work can be delivered consistently and to a high standard for all prisoners?

The situation has now improved, with recruitment meeting the needs of HMP/YOI Moorland… On current projections, the establishments should be fully staffed with officers and OSGs (operational support grades) by the end of 2023.

Further action to improve prisoners’ confidence in the systems for complaints and DIRFs.

During the year, DIRF training was delivered in conjunction with the Zahid Mubarek Trust and new paperwork was introduced.

Explain how the IPP action plan will address the issue of access to programmes recommended by the Parole Board but not available to the prisoner.

HMPPS also continues to support all those serving an IPP Sentence towards a safe and sustainable release from custody. The refreshed IPP Action Plan which was published in April 2023 has been delivering a renewed focus, including ensuring each prisoner has a robust and effective sentence plan, tailored to their individual needs and support for those in the community to comply with licence conditions. The North East Area, which includes HMP/YOI Moorland, also has an IPP Action Plan which was reviewed and revised earlier this year and provides a monthly IPP Progression Board chaired by the Yorkshire Prison Group Director, which will provide greater support to IPP prisoners going forward.

The loss or delay of prisoners’ property is still a big problem. How will you ensure that the situation will be improved by the new national framework?

HMPPS will monitor the impact of the new property-related framework going forward and will continue to look at what further improvements can be made. Due to the population pressures, the Governor has reported an increase in transfers both in and out, which has contributed to an increase in reception processes and the rise in property-related issues.

Review how the incentives system might be adapted so that prisoners perceive it as less punitive and more motivating.

A new comprehensive policy was under development during the reporting year and has been published for 2024/2025, with the stated intention of applying the policy fairly and consistently in a procedurally just way.

The repeated increases in operating capacity over the year without new buildings have necessitated the conversion of more single cells to accommodate two prisoners. The Board is concerned about the impact this is having on dignity and wellbeing. How does the Minister plan to reduce prison overcrowding?

I fully understand the Board’s concern on the operating capacity and crowding within prisons. I can provide assurances to the Board that cells are only shared where a Prison Group Director has assessed them to be of adequate size and condition in line with the standards in the HMPPS Cell Certification Framework, which ensures that prisoners are accommodated safely even when held in crowded conditions. We know that capacity issues need to be addressed and the Board will be aware of the announcement that the Secretary of State made on 12 July 2024 to help reduce the pressure on prison places by temporarily reducing the time standard determinate sentenced prisoners serve in prison from 50% to 40% of their sentence. This will not apply to prisoners sentenced for sex offences and certain domestic-abuse-connected offences and it also excludes serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more. In addition, the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are continuing to deliver additional modern uncrowded prison places to ensure the right conditions are in place to rehabilitate prisoners, helping to cut crime and protect the public. Investment is also continuing in critical prison maintenance and renewal to ensure that we keep as much capacity as possible in use and fit for purpose. These measures together will have a positive impact on lowering the proportion of crowding within the prison estate although the extent to which the proportion of prisoners held in crowded accommodation can be reduced will always be dependent on levels of demand in the system.

Will the Government reconsider its refusal to implement the recommendations of the House of Commons Justice Committee to enable a resentencing exercise in relation to all IPP sentenced individuals?

Can the training available to prison officers be reviewed to develop more specialised skills for the wide variety of different needs represented in the prison population?

Whilst HMPPS provides all new prison officers with foundation training on core elements to enable them to perform their role effectively and safely, HMP/YOI Moorland has developed specialist training locally given its complex nature, including prisoners convicted of sexual offences, young adults and foreign national who each have unique circumstances. It would not be feasible to include all elements of the prison officer role and the care of such diverse populations in the initial foundation part of the learning journey. However, as part of a wider review, HMPPS is looking at the ongoing development of core capabilities of the workforce including a focus on the prison officer learning journey. The prison’s local training has successfully been delivered to groups of prison officers working with the complexities of young adults. Given this specialist training received exceptional feedback it will continue to be delivered on a rolling programme to the remaining prison officers working with young adults.

Can the commissioning of education and training be revised to enable prisoners to acquire a greater range of recognised qualifications to enhance their prospects of successful rehabilitation and resettlement?

HMP/YOI Moorland review the curriculum every quarter to ensure it is aligned to the needs of the prison population and remains fit for purpose. Recently the prison opened a brick laying academy through the support of Keepmoat Homes to provide more opportunities to prisoners. To ensure prisoners have better access to job opportunities upon release HMP/YOI Moorland are working closely in partnership with Adecco to be able to share job roles with prisoners to facilitate a smoother transition into employment in the community. The prison is exploring options to inhabit the remaining vacant workshop and to upskill workshop instructors to deliver vocational qualifications where they are not currently offered. HMP Moorland’s Employment Advisory Board has also identified a need for more work opportunities and is developing a strategy to address this.

Can there be greater consistency in the arrangements for meetings to monitor the use of force and other important aspects of prison life, such as equalities and health?

Can further progress be made towards a less restrictive regime, enabling more time out of cell, especially for those prisoners who do not go to work or education and for all prisoners at weekends?