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IMB Annual Reports

780 reports 170 establishments 768 with key concerns

780 annual reports from Independent Monitoring Boards covering 170 establishments. IMBs provide independent oversight of prisons, immigration removal centres, and secure training centres. Source: imb.org.uk.

Key findings

Patterns across the corpus

98% of IMB reports flag key concerns. Independent monitors cover 170 establishments across prisons, immigration removal centres and secure training centres.

Annual reports

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2022 PRISON Concerns Risley
Published 9 Feb 2023 · 1,014 prisoners
Self-harm: 405 Assaults: 116 Staff assaults: 48
HMP Risley demonstrated high standards in safety, humane treatment, and health and wellbeing during the reporting year ending March 2022. Key improvements included a decline in violence and self-harm incidents, effective staff-prisoner relationships, and successful implementation of an accelerator prison model for resettlement. However, the Board raised concerns regarding persistent property loss issues, the poor state of showers, mental health provision in segregation, and understaffing within the Offender Management Unit.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing issues regarding the loss of prisoners’ property, especially during transfers between prisons.
  • The need for major refurbishment of showers across all wings and consistent provision of hot water and adequate pressure.
  • Cell clearances are not carried out promptly when a prisoner moves location, leading to property loss.
  • Vulnerable prisoners with mental health issues are held in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU), requiring more appropriate accommodation.
  • The Offender Management Unit (OMU) is understaffed, resulting in a backlog of OASys assessments.
  • The absence of the Horizon programme for men convicted of sexual offences, which is crucial given the changing population profile.
  • Not all areas of the prison are compliant with the Equality Act, particularly concerning disabled prisoners.
  • The thinness of mattresses remains an ongoing concern.
2022 PRISON Concerns Chelmsford
Published 7 Feb 2023
Self-harm: 836 Assaults: 241 Staff assaults: 177
HMP Chelmsford, a category B local prison, showed mixed performance in the reporting year ending August 2022. While levels of violence and self-harm decreased, and there were no deaths in custody, significant concerns persist regarding overcrowding (49% of prisoners sharing single cells) and long-standing issues with lost prisoner property. Staff shortages heavily impacted healthcare appointments, purposeful activity, and key worker effectiveness, contributing to many prisoners spending extended periods locked in cells.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding, with 49% of prisoners sharing single cells designed for one.
  • Persistent issues with prisoners' property being lost or delayed, a concern voiced over many years.
  • High levels of self-harm incidents (836 cases) and violence remain, exacerbated by insufficient time out of cell and intermittent security searches.
  • Frequent missed healthcare appointments (dentistry, GPs) due to staff shortages, compounded by a non-operational lift in healthcare restricting access for mobility-impaired prisoners.
  • Low uptake and attendance at education, work, and activities due to staff shortages and lack of escorting officers, leading to many prisoners spending excessive time in cells.
  • Poor key worker compliance (3%) due to low staffing levels and staff being diverted to other duties.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wetherby
Published 2 Feb 2023 · 156 prisoners
Assaults: 215 Staff assaults: 100
HMYOI Wetherby faced significant challenges during the reporting year, including persistent staffing shortages which severely impacted the regime, leading to limited time out of cell, particularly in evenings. The Board noted concerning levels of violence, self-harm, and the continued problem of weapon creation. Additionally, there were unacceptable delays in transferring young people with complex mental health needs and significant evidence of racism. Despite these challenges, the Board commended positive staff-young person relationships, good physical healthcare provision, and welcome investments in the estate and engaging educational programs.
Key concerns identified
  • Chronic staffing shortages impacting regime delivery, safety, and consistency.
  • Persistent high levels of violence, self-harm incidents (especially on Keppel), and lack of solutions for weapon creation.
  • Unacceptable delays in transferring young people with complex mental health needs to secure hospital beds.
  • Limited time out of cell, particularly in evenings and weekends.
  • Significant evidence of racism and concerns about the accuracy of equality data.
  • Issues with education provision including lost hours, staff retention challenges, and inadequate provision in segregation and specific wings.
2022 PRISON Concerns Cookham Wood
Published 1 Feb 2023 · 82 prisoners
Self-harm: 35 Assaults: 282 Staff assaults: 130
This report highlights a period of significant challenges and some positive developments at HMYOI Cookham Wood. While improvements were noted in aspects of healthcare and staff dedication, major concerns persist regarding the inhumane regime, severe staffing shortages, and prolonged periods of isolation for boys. The IMB raises critical questions to the Minister, Youth Custody Service, and Governor regarding these systemic issues, emphasizing the impact on the safety, welfare, and progression of young people in custody.
Key concerns identified
  • Inhumanely long periods for boys held on remand due to court backlogs, with questions about ministerial action from previous reports remaining unanswered.
  • Continued leadership churn with temporary Governor appointments.
  • Persistent delays in transferring 18+ boys to the adult estate, posing risks to children in the YOI.
  • Poor performance and significant delays from Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) on capital projects and general maintenance, leading to unfinished facilities and poor value for money.
  • Inadequate staffing levels preventing the delivery of a full and consistent regime, including sufficient time out of cell and education.
  • Inhumane time out of cell, particularly for segregated and separated boys, often exceeding 22 hours per day.
  • Failure to provide regular weekly corporate worship for boys of faith.
  • Some boys carrying improvised weapons due to feeling unsafe within the establishment, alongside high levels of violence.
  • Underuse of the refurbished Phoenix unit due to staff shortages, denying vulnerable boys much-needed support.
  • Poor living conditions, including grubby communal areas and extensive, offensive graffiti in cells and yards.
2022 PRISON Concerns Channings Wood
Published 23 Jan 2023 · 700 prisoners
Self-harm: 306 Assaults: 74 Staff assaults: 29
HMP Channings Wood reported a largely settled year (Sept 2021-Aug 2022) despite a gradual return to a near-normal regime after Covid-19 restrictions. While self-harm incidents reduced by 17% and total assaults remained similar to the previous year, the use of force increased by 27%. Key concerns highlighted include the persistent challenges in mental healthcare, specifically accessing specialist placements, the ongoing issue of lost prisoner property during transfers, and the ineffectiveness of the key worker scheme in supporting sentence progression. The Board commended efforts in E&D, chaplaincy, and health and wellbeing initiatives while noting that many cells and showers need refurbishment.
Key concerns identified
  • The persistent difficulty in providing adequate care for prisoners with complex mental health needs, particularly accessing specialist secure accommodation.
  • The ongoing failure of the Prison Service to ensure reliable delivery of prisoners’ property, especially during transfers.
  • The insufficiency and ineffectiveness of the key worker system, hindering sentence progression and access to offender management.
  • The variability and poor condition of residential services, with many cells and showers requiring refurbishment.
  • The poorer induction experience for prisoners arriving late on Fridays.
  • HMIP's finding that self-harm incidents are above average for comparator prisons, despite a reduction in incidents this year.
2022 PRISON Concerns Dovegate
Published 20 Jan 2023 · 1,210 prisoners
Self-harm: 650 Assaults: 145 Staff assaults: 40
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, operated in a calm and settled manner despite ongoing Covid challenges and staff shortages. The Board commended improvements in staff culture, the effective use of body-worn cameras, and the high standards of cleanliness and food provision. However, significant concerns persist regarding the lack of a national electronic system for property transfers, the slow progress on converting the healthcare inpatient unit, and the increasing number of remand prisoners. The Board has made recommendations to the Minister, Prison Service, and Director to address these issues, many of which have been highlighted in previous reports.
Key concerns identified
  • The inadequacy of HMPPS review of property procedures and the lack of a modern, national electronic system for property transfer remains a significant issue, repeatedly highlighted by the Board.
  • Slow progress on reviewing IPP sentences, with many prisoners still held under an abolished sentence.
  • A significant increase in remand prisoners due to court system delays.
  • Plans for converting the healthcare inpatient unit to adequately meet mental health and palliative care needs have not yet been actioned.
  • The reduction in hospital escorts from six to four per day has contributed to increased waiting times.
  • Proposed changes to the Care and Segregation Unit (CSU), including exercise yard and gym equipment, have not yet been implemented.
  • The kitchen equipment service company's contract needs reviewing due to ongoing equipment breakdowns and slow repairs.
2022 PRISON Concerns Werrington
Published 17 Jan 2023 · 59 prisoners
Self-harm: 37 Assaults: 105 Staff assaults: 124
The IMB has grave concerns about HMYOI Werrington, deeming it unsafe for both young people and staff due to a significant increase in violence, including assaults and weapon making. Low staffing levels and sickness led to a severely restricted regime, particularly at weekends, with young people spending excessive time locked in their rooms. Education provision was inadequate, and staff-young person relationships deteriorated.
Key concerns identified
  • Increased violence towards both young people and staff.
  • Severely restricted regime and excessive time young people spend in their rooms.
  • Low staffing levels impacting regime, education, and staff morale.
  • Inadequate education provision due to curriculum, facilities, and staff apprehension.
  • Breakdown in staff-young person relationships and poor officer-learner interactions.
  • Difficulties for the IMB in monitoring crucial processes like ACCT and Rule 49 reviews.
2022 PRISON Concerns Bristol
Published 10 Jan 2023 · 494 prisoners
Self-harm: 459 Assaults: 195 Staff assaults: 75
HMP Bristol has demonstrated positive improvements in safety, with reductions in self-harm and staff assaults, and effective Covid-19 management. However, the prison continues to face significant challenges, including an insufficient staffing budget and high non-effective rates that frequently impact regime delivery, purposeful activity, and key worker provision. Concerns persist regarding the Victorian infrastructure, particularly poor disability access and heating issues, alongside prolonged waits for specialist mental health transfers and an ongoing problem with lost prisoner property.
Key concerns identified
  • Increasing remand prisoner numbers and the lack of release planning support for those not eligible for probation services.
  • Persistent challenges with the Victorian infrastructure, affecting disability access, heating, and hot water, especially for elderly and disabled prisoners.
  • Concerns about the accuracy of reported waiting times for specialist mental health services, suggesting a review of reporting rules.
  • An insufficient prison staffing budget and high non-effective rates, leading to staff inability to cover duties, cancellation of activities, and inconsistent key work delivery.
  • The ongoing significant problem of lost or delayed prisoner property, including crucial legal and personal documents.
  • The need for close monitoring of planned increases in operational capacity to prevent loss of improvements in safety and decency.
  • The necessity of financial support for prisons to manage rapidly increasing cost of living and energy pressures.
2022 PRISON Concerns Ashfield
Published 9 Jan 2023 · 400 prisoners
Self-harm: 157 Assaults: 15 Staff assaults: 3
HMP Ashfield, a Category C training prison for convicted male sex offenders, maintained a safe environment despite increased self-harm (157 incidents) and violence (15 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults). The prison returned to a normal regime in March 2022 following Covid-19 restrictions. Key concerns include staff shortages in healthcare, ongoing issues with last-minute accommodation for released prisoners, and continued perceptions of discrimination among BAME prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The continuing problem of last minute securing of approved premises accommodation shows no signs of abating.
  • National shortage of nursing staff and mental health resources, posing a risk to Ashfield's health service.
  • Frequent disruption to transfers due to late cancellations and delays by the Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS).
  • Continuing perceptions of discrimination among Black, Asian and minority ethnic prisoners, despite statistical evidence to the contrary.
  • Lack of plans to extend library services beyond the core function.
  • Routine information about the Prisoner Trust Fund (PTF) balances and expenditure has not been available to the Board.
2022 PRISON Concerns Dartmoor
Published 6 Jan 2023 · 635 prisoners
HMP Dartmoor continues to suffer from underinvestment, management instability, and a slow recovery from Covid restrictions, leading to extensive lockups and a sub-optimal rehabilitative regime. While some aspects of healthcare are commendable, the prison struggles to meet the complex needs of its older and chronically ill population due to environmental and contractual limitations. Staffing shortages and issues with key working persist, alongside concerns about safety, bullying, and the effectiveness of equality and diversity mechanisms.
Key concerns identified
  • Protracted underinvestment in infrastructure, facilities (e.g., in-cell telephony, showers, laundry) and security, leading to substandard living conditions and operational issues.
  • A striking lack of management stability and a fully functioning senior leadership team, hindering consistent focus on prisoner wellbeing and rehabilitation.
  • The very slow recovery from Covid restrictions, resulting in extensive lockup times and a detrimental impact on prisoner access to activities and overall wellbeing.
  • Significant safety concerns, including a perceived increase in prisoner-on-prisoner bullying and the unreliability of body-worn video cameras.
  • Inadequate healthcare provision and an unsuitable physical environment for older and chronically sick prisoners with complex needs, exacerbated by a lack of 24-hour care.
  • Persistent staffing shortages across all grades, impacting both operational delivery and prisoner-staff contact, and leading to an inconsistent regime.
  • Ineffective key working and a lack of consistency in fair and humane treatment for prisoners, removing vital support opportunities.
  • Inadequate support for equality and diversity, with prisoner-led forums not fully re-established and a significant lack of confidence in the discrimination incident reporting form (DIRF) process.
  • Extremely long dental waiting times, extending up to three years, reflecting a systemic issue that significantly impacts prisoner health.
2022 PRISON Concerns Bronzefield
Published 5 Jan 2023 · 480 prisoners
Self-harm: 2,856 Assaults: 168
HMP/YOI Bronzefield, a female local/YOI prison, held an average of 480 prisoners during the reporting year. While offering a generally safe environment and some positive regime initiatives like new gym sessions and an ESME room, the prison faced significant challenges. Key issues included rising self-harm incidents, severe staff shortages curtailing the regime and services, and persistent problems with resettlement accommodation for released prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing increase in self-harm incidents, particularly from a few prolific self-harmers, and the stress this places on staff.
  • Consistently high staff shortages and inexperienced staff leading to a severely curtailed regime and impacts on healthcare and substance misuse services.
  • A lack of strategic oversight in diversity and equality, resulting in action plans not tailored to prisoner needs and concerns about inconsistent staff treatment.
  • Significant delays in final responses to prisoner complaints, with many 'on-time' responses being merely interim.
  • The frequent use of the prison as a place of safety for prisoners with complex mental health conditions due to a lack of secure inpatient beds, straining prison resources.
  • The significant problem of providing safe and sustainable accommodation for prisoners upon release, with a survey showing 65% discharged to unsustainable arrangements.
2022 PRISON Concerns Hatfield
Published 19 Dec 2022
Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
HMP/YOI Hatfield, a Category D resettlement prison, was found to be a safe environment with no recorded self-harm, staff assaults, or prisoner assaults during the reporting year. The prison demonstrated excellence in work and education provision, achieving high employment rates on release, and healthcare was well-managed. However, significant concerns persist regarding the poor and unhygienic condition of ablution facilities across both sites and the lack of funding for their essential refurbishment.
Key concerns identified
  • The unacceptable and unhygienic condition of showers and washrooms across both sites.
  • A lack of funding allocated for the refurbishment of ablution facilities.
  • Maintenance and heating issues at the Lakes site not being prioritised due to management by HMP Lindholme.
2022 PRISON Concerns Bedford
Published 13 Dec 2022
Self-harm: 367 Assaults: 146 Staff assaults: 184
HMP/YOI Bedford faced significant challenges during the reporting year, operating under "restrict" regimes due to COVID-19 and staff shortages, leading to widespread cell confinement. While positive steps were made in safety initiatives, particularly with a new young adults' wing and improved ACCT processes, the prison continues to struggle with high levels of self-harm and violence. Mental health services are critically under-resourced and inadequate, further exacerbated by persistent overcrowding and delays in relocating the inhumane segregation unit.
Key concerns identified
  • Poor and under-resourced mental health services, particularly for severe cases requiring transfer.
  • Lack of evaluation and fundamental flaws in the ACCT process.
  • Persistent overcrowding and inadequate facilities for disabled prisoners.
  • High levels of violence and difficulties in managing violent prisoners, especially remandees.
  • The inhumane conditions and delayed relocation of the underground segregation unit, coupled with instances of improper segregation procedures.
  • Limited regime, poor staff-prisoner relationships, and a failing complaints system due to staff shortages and lack of key worker scheme implementation.
2022 PRISON Concerns Altcourse
Published 9 Dec 2022
Assaults: 261 Staff assaults: 67
HMP Altcourse remains a generally safe and humane prison, showing a reduction in self-harm and violence, and improved healthcare facilities. However, significant concerns persist regarding the containment of severely mentally unwell prisoners in unsuitable conditions and chronic staffing shortages impacting various services. The Board also highlights issues with the national food budget and a lack of external support following a 'cluster death site' designation.
Key concerns identified
  • Inadequate provision for severely mentally unwell men held in unsuitable prison conditions awaiting transfer.
  • Lack of offence-related courses for men convicted of sexual offences, impacting progression and public safety.
  • Insufficient national budget allowance for prisoners’ daily food, affecting quantity.
  • No additional support or training provided despite the prison being designated a 'cluster death site'.
  • Urgent need for staff recruitment to address vacancies, minimize redeployment, and ensure service continuity (complaints clerk, social worker).
  • Need for increased focus on diversity in recruitment.
2022 PRISON Concerns Bullingdon
Published 2 Dec 2022 · 1,062 prisoners
Self-harm: 889
HMP Bullingdon faced chronic overcrowding and significant staff shortages, which impacted safety, regime delivery, and staff-prisoner relationships throughout the reporting year. While healthcare provision was generally good and improvements were seen in some areas like equality data analysis and IT systems, challenges such as high violence, drug availability, and prisoner churn hindering progression persisted. The Board highlighted a continuing high number of self-harm incidents, though a recent decline was noted.
Key concerns identified
  • Chronic overcrowding, with many prisoners sharing single-occupancy cells, incompatible with fair and decent treatment.
  • Significant and increasing staff shortages, high resignation rates, and a growing proportion of inexperienced officers.
  • Continuing problem with the availability and use of drugs, despite prison efforts.
  • High levels of prisoner churn, hindering progression in education and vocational training as prisoners are transferred or released prematurely.
  • Persistently high levels of violence within the prison.
  • Continuing high number of self-harm incidents, despite a recent reduction.
2022 PRISON Concerns Sudbury
Published 1 Dec 2022
Self-harm: 4 Assaults: 5 Staff assaults: 6
HMP/YOI Sudbury is an open Category D resettlement prison. The Board noted positive improvements in staff-prisoner relationships, healthcare provision, and the availability of work and vocational training opportunities. However, significant concerns remain regarding the extremely outdated accommodation, persistent staff shortages impacting various services, and issues with prisoner property transfers. The report also highlights long dental waiting times and the lack of psychologist services.
Key concerns identified
  • Outdated and poor-quality prisoner accommodation, especially dormitories, requiring urgent renewal and lacking a clear timeframe for significant upgrades, particularly for power supply for essential amenities.
  • Significant staffing shortages across the prison, notably impacting education delivery and the probation service, hindering effective procedure implementation.
  • Persistent issues with prisoners' property going missing during inter-establishment transfers, compounded by the non-publication of a promised new framework.
  • Lengthy waiting times for dental appointments (approx. 20 weeks) and the absence of psychologist services, impacting overall prisoner wellbeing.
  • Inadequate IT provision for education and learning, coupled with limited course availability for English as a Second Language (ESOL) learners.
  • Challenges in meeting the physical and mental health and substance misuse needs of an anticipated increase in the prison population.
2022 PRISON Concerns Dover
Published 30 Nov 2022
Self-harm: 1 Assaults: 3
The Dover Independent Monitoring Board's 2021 report details critical issues at the Tug Haven, Kent Intake Unit (KIU), and Frontier House Short-Term Holding Facilities. While some initial improvements were noted in induction processes and staff interactions, the facilities were largely unsuitable for their purpose, particularly Tug Haven, which routinely held detainees overnight in overcrowded, unheated tents with inadequate sleeping, washing, and food provisions. Significant concerns were raised about poor hygiene, brief and ineffective medical screenings leading to undetected serious injuries, and excessive lengths of stay, causing distress and confusion among detainees, including vulnerable families and children.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding and unsuitability of Tug Haven for overnight stays, leading to extremely crowded sleeping conditions and unsuitability for cold weather.
  • Inadequate food provision at both KIU (only breakfast bars) and Tug Haven (only water and plain biscuits).
  • Appalling hygiene and washing facilities at Tug Haven (no running water for washing, extremely dirty toilets, pervasive diesel smell) and inadequate cleaning/broken shower at KIU, resulting in detainees going days without bathing.
  • Insufficient medical staffing and inadequate medical screenings at Tug Haven and KIU, resulting in serious injuries often going undetected or untreated.
  • Excessively long lengths of stay at Tug Haven and KIU, particularly concerning for families and children.
  • Lack of clear information for detainees about their location, destination, and what was happening to them, causing confusion.
  • Safeguarding concerns for children, including sharing tents with unknown adults.
2022 PRISON Concerns Buckley Hall
Published 25 Nov 2022
Self-harm: 132 Assaults: 12
HMP Buckley Hall, a Category C training prison, has seen a positive trajectory post-pandemic, with an improved mood among prisoners and the return of full education and activity regimes. While generally safe with strong staff-prisoner relationships, the prison faces significant challenges including staff shortages impacting key work and daily routines, and an unsettled healthcare provision following a change in provider. Key concerns include administrative delays, insufficient funding for vital infrastructure, and a need to improve attendance at activities and equality and diversity initiatives.
Key concerns identified
  • Delays in approving moves to open conditions and a need to reduce the number of IPP prisoners.
  • Lengthy delays in transferring prisoner monies between private and public sector prisons.
  • Lack of funding for CCTV installation in the healthcare building and for the new incentivised substance-free living unit.
  • Delays in transferring Category B recategorised prisoners to appropriate prisons.
  • The need to ensure effective and valued healthcare provision following a change in provider.
  • Persistent inaccuracies in daily roll checks, causing regime disruption.
  • Poor prisoner attendance at and allocation to purposeful activities.
  • Insufficient social activities during evening association.
  • A need to restore emphasis on equality and diversity and raise key work session delivery.
2022 PRISON Concerns Thameside
Published 24 Nov 2022 · 1,300 prisoners
Self-harm: 501 Assaults: 273 Staff assaults: 168
HMP Thameside, a Category B/C prison, saw its population close to its operational capacity of 1,232. While the regime slowly normalized after Covid restrictions, challenges persisted, including a rise in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults (273 total) despite a decrease in staff assaults (168 total). The Board identified significant concerns around the inhumane delays for mental health transfers (average 39 days), inadequate property handling (complaints up 60%), and the unreliability of the cell bell system. Staff shortages, particularly impacting purposeful activity and resettlement services, were partially mitigated by recruitment efforts, though a large cohort of inexperienced staff remains.
Key concerns identified
  • Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults have increased this year.
  • The emergency cell bell answering system is unreliable, particularly at night, leading to unanswered calls.
  • There has been a 60% rise in complaints about missing property, indicating a lack of care and respect for prisoners' belongings.
  • Mentally ill patients face inhumane and prolonged waits for transfer to appropriate secure mental health hospitals, significantly exceeding NHS guidelines.
  • Severe staff shortages have limited purposeful activities like gym access and negatively impacted resettlement services provided by external agencies.
  • The key worker scheme remains inconsistent and ineffective, with many prisoners unallocated or receiving superficial interactions.
  • Insufficient analysis of diversity data hinders understanding and addressing the disproportionate outcomes for Black prisoners in the incentives scheme and CSU placements.
2022 PRISON Concerns Portland
Published 23 Nov 2022
Self-harm: 262 Assaults: 102
HMP/YOI Portland, a Category C prison for adult males and young adults, navigated a challenging year dominated by Covid-19 restrictions. While perceptions of safety improved and the pandemic was handled effectively, significant concerns persist around inhumane conditions on Beaufort wing, protracted mental health transfer waits, and poorly managed resettlement service reforms. Staffing levels in key areas remain problematic, and the board highlighted issues with external service providers and the inconsistent use of body-worn cameras.
Key concerns identified
  • The inhumane conditions in Beaufort wing, particularly in hot weather, despite repeated unsuccessful bids for funding to address poor design and ventilation.
  • The protracted wait for accessing transfers to secure mental health units, which negatively impacted residents and segregation regimes.
  • Significant shortcomings in resettlement provision following the transfer of services from Catch22 to HMPPS and Interventions Alliance, leading to an unacceptable burden on staff and reduced service quality.
  • Challenges in recruiting Operational Support Grades (OSGs) and staff for healthcare and education due to uncompetitive pay and conditions.
  • Poor service provision by external suppliers, specifically Serco for resident transport, causing late arrivals and lack of crucial information.
  • Sporadic compliance by prison officers with the mandatory wearing of Body Worn Cameras, hindering incident reviews and de-escalation training.
  • The failure to share neurodiversity data collected during induction by Weston College more widely with prison staff across the establishment.
  • The high incidence of self-harm, with a notable increase during the reporting year attributed to a small number of prolific individuals.
2022 PRISON Concerns Stocken
Published 15 Nov 2022 · 1,019 prisoners
Self-harm: 232 Assaults: 51 Staff assaults: 42
HMP Stocken generally provides a safe and humane environment, with strong efforts in safer custody and no deaths in custody this year. However, the Board highlights significant challenges including chronic understaffing across various departments, persistent delays in staff vetting, and a critical shortage of secure mental health provision, leading to unsuitable placements within the prison. Issues with prisoner transfers, including incomplete assessments and uncontrolled property, and a lack of category D prison places continue to hinder progression and resettlement efforts. The performance of the education provider is also a key concern.
Key concerns identified
  • Urgent need for increased secure mental health facilities for prisoners who should not be in prison.
  • Delays in staff vetting processes, causing recruitment issues.
  • Insufficient capacity in category D prisons and slow transfers for eligible prisoners.
  • Prisoners transferred to Stocken without completed OASys assessments, increasing pressure on OMU.
  • Non-enforcement of volumetric control for prisoner property transfers by other establishments, leading to excess property and backlogs.
  • Need to increase staffing numbers for officers and administrative staff.
  • Purposeful activity opportunities, such as Structured On Wing Activity (SOWA), need to increase.
  • Performance concerns regarding the education provider, PeoplePlus, including low staff morale and missed targets.
  • Backlog of property in the stores needing to be addressed.
  • Mental health cases being held in segregation due to national shortage of secure mental health provision.
  • Lengthy waiting times for potential transferees in the segregation unit.
  • Transfers of prisoners recategorised to B taking too long.
  • Shortage of places on offending behaviour programmes impacting prisoner progression.
2022 PRISON Concerns Stoke Heath
Published 8 Nov 2022 · 782 prisoners
Self-harm: 181 Assaults: 48 Staff assaults: 8
HMP/YOI Stoke Heath maintained a safe and positive environment during the reporting year ending March 2022, despite ongoing Covid challenges. Key positives included improved in-cell telephony, good routine GP access, and declining use of force. However, significant concerns persist regarding the slow restoration of the key worker scheme, inadequate vocational training and resettlement support, and persistent delays in dental care and access to mental health beds.
Key concerns identified
  • Inadequate funding for vocational training and resettlement, limiting rehabilitation opportunities.
  • Persistent delays in dental care and limited access to regional mental health beds.
  • The key worker scheme remains unrestored to the necessary standard, alongside general staffing recruitment challenges.
  • Too many prisoners arrive without completed offender assessment system (OASys) documents, hindering progression.
  • The ageing heating and hot water system is temperamental and its replacement has been delayed.
  • Poor resettlement outcomes, especially for accommodation on release, due to issues with the new service provider.
2022 PRISON Concerns Swinfen Hall
Published 3 Nov 2022 · 583 prisoners
Assaults: 232 Staff assaults: 79
HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall, a YOI and Category C training prison, held 583 prisoners during the reporting year. The Board noted positive progress in safety initiatives and equality, diversity, and inclusion. However, significant concerns remain regarding slow responses to prisoner property and complaints, insufficient purposeful activity places, and delays in offender management. Healthcare provision, particularly night cover and mental health staffing, also raises concerns.
Key concerns identified
  • Slow response to prisoner property issues and complaints, causing anxiety and unfairness.
  • Insufficient purposeful activity and education places, leading to underemployment and hindering progression.
  • Persistent delays in OASys assessments and programme delivery, impacting timely transfers and resettlement.
  • Safety concerns including increased weapon use, inadequate searching, and issues with Use of Force training and Body Worn Video Camera usage, with disproportionate use of PAVA against BAME prisoners.
  • Inadequate healthcare provision, particularly the cessation of night cover and recruitment difficulties for mental health staff, increasing risks to prisoners.
  • A significant imbalance in the number of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) prisoners on the enhanced incentives scheme level.
2022 PRISON Concerns Birmingham
Published 2 Nov 2022 · 977 prisoners
HMP Birmingham shows sustained improvements in its culture and positive trends in safety, including reduced self-harm and segregation stays. However, severe staff shortages significantly hinder regime delivery and key worker sessions, contributing to high use of force incidents. Key challenges include lengthy remand detentions, the indefinite holding of foreign nationals post-sentence, and persistent issues with missing property.
Key concerns identified
  • The significant backlog in court hearings is leading to exceptionally lengthy remand stays, with some men held for up to three years without conviction.
  • Foreign nationals continue to be detained in prison for undefined periods beyond their sentence expiry date under immigration powers, which the Board considers unjust and inhumane.
  • Severe staff shortages, exacerbated by illness and high attrition (60 officers left), negatively impact regime delivery, key worker sessions, and overall prison stability.
  • Persistent and widespread issues with missing property, both within the prison and during inter-prison transfers, remain a major source of frustration and complaints.
  • The inconsistent wearing and activation of body-worn video cameras undermine confidence in accountability and the validity of incident reports.
  • The current post-Covid regime typically allows most prisoners only 1.5 hours out of cell daily, limiting purposeful activity, especially for the large remand population.
2022 PRISON Concerns Whitemoor
Published 1 Nov 2022 · 316 prisoners
Self-harm: 151 Assaults: 22 Staff assaults: 27
HMP Whitemoor, a maximum-security prison for Categories A and B men, faced significant challenges in the reporting year ending May 2022, primarily due to a severe staffing crisis affecting all areas, including healthcare. This led to compromised regimes, particularly in the overcrowded segregation unit where severely unwell prisoners were held awaiting hospital transfer, and an inadequate purposeful activity and education offer. The Board also noted persistent issues with food provision and long waiting times for specialist healthcare appointments.
Key concerns identified
  • Staffing crisis, including high turnover and inexperience.
  • Overcrowding and regime restrictions in the segregation unit.
  • Poor mental health provision, long waits for secure hospital transfers, and the holding of acutely unwell prisoners in segregation.
  • Inadequate food provision and catering issues.
  • Lack of purposeful activity and reliance on in-cell education.
  • The perceived undervaluation and restriction of chaplaincy services.
  • The inability of the Bridge Unit to function effectively due to segregation overflow.
2022 PRISON Concerns Standford Hill
Published 27 Oct 2022 · 499 prisoners
Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
HMP/YOI Standford Hill, a Category D open prison, successfully maintained operations during the reporting period despite COVID-19, achieving low infection rates and a strong focus on prisoner rehabilitation, reflected in low reoffending. The IMB noted humane treatment of prisoners, dedicated healthcare, and an excellent record in providing work opportunities. Key concerns include poor performance by GFSL, inadequate technological support, and the deteriorating state of the prison's estate.
Key concerns identified
  • The woefully inadequate performance of GFSL in providing services, particularly evident in laundry maintenance and oversight of suppliers, with communications needing radical improvement.
  • Sporadic internet facilities which restrict prisoners' ability to plan futures, communicate with employers, and develop technological skills, hindering rehabilitation.
  • The deteriorating state of several older buildings, including the historic hangar and an unfinished, potentially dangerous patio area, requiring urgent refurbishment.
  • The ongoing inefficiency of the food system, with meals transported from Swaleside, and the continued absence of a dedicated kitchen and dining room.
  • A perception of inequality of accommodation arising from the introduction of new individual pods alongside older wings.
2022 PRISON Concerns Preston
Published 26 Oct 2022 · 670 prisoners
HMP Preston, a Category B local prison, navigated a second year of pandemic restrictions, operating under various Emergency Delivery Model stages. The Board found it to be a safe prison, commending staff professionalism and effective management of the regional hospital wing and segregation unit. However, persistent staff shortages impacted administrative functions, particularly visits and complaints, and highlighted a need for significant investment in the Victorian estate and a return to a full regime.
Key concerns identified
  • HMP Preston requires a significant injection of funding, particularly for the purchase of the county museum to resolve inadequate reception space.
  • There is a growing national problem with shortages of administrative staff (Bands 2 and 3) leading to backlogs in complaints, visits, and prisoner finances, exacerbated by low pay and poor working conditions.
  • Special arrangements are needed for the release planning of IPP prisoners who are significantly beyond their tariff dates.
  • The backlog of Comp 1 forms needs addressing.
  • In-cell technology (laptops) and its use by OMU/Through the Gate staff on wings should be implemented to enhance prisoner communication, dignity, assessments, and sentence planning.
  • The waiting list for dental treatment is excessive and needs urgent attention.
  • The prison should return to a full regime, including education, occupational training, and exercise.
  • An integrated and improved resettlement service, encompassing housing, financial advice, drug counselling, and family liaison, is required.
  • Cell conditions should be improved and upgraded, including better toilet screening.
  • Qualification opportunities in horticulture and the gymnasium should be reinstated.
2022 PRISON Concerns Warren Hill
Published 24 Oct 2022
Self-harm: 26 Assaults: 5 Staff assaults: 1
Warren Hill maintained a safe environment despite Covid-19 constraints, effectively managing outbreaks and promoting positive staff-prisoner interactions. The IMB commends the prison's efforts in harmonising regimes and establishing on-site approved premises. However, persistent issues with food provision, the suspension of the ROTL pilot, and challenges related to prisoner property and in-cell telephony remain significant concerns, along with the impact of recent parole changes on prisoner morale and progression.
Key concerns identified
  • Ongoing issues with the quality, quantity, choice, and temperature of food provided from Hollesley Bay kitchen, with the Board reiterating its call for a kitchen to be reinstated at Warren Hill.
  • The suspension of the Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) pilot, which is deeply regretted by the Board due to its value in resettlement and progression.
  • Persistent problems with the movement of prisoners' property, a concern raised by the Board for at least six years.
  • Difficulties with the in-cell telephony system, where prisoners are charged for unanswered calls or calls where a message cannot be left.
  • The recent decisions by the Secretary of State impacting parole hearings and progression, which have caused a loss of morale among prisoners.
  • Challenges in healthcare, including locum GP shortages and discrepancies in social care funding from different local authorities.
2022 PRISON Concerns Belmarsh
Published 20 Oct 2022 · 650 prisoners
Self-harm: 360
HMP Belmarsh experienced a challenging reporting year with improvements in health and wellbeing provision and a commitment to safety, though HMIP noted safety had deteriorated. The prison addressed equality and diversity issues through dedicated leadership and improved data, but concerns remain regarding disparities in outcomes for protected characteristics. Staffing issues, particularly high ‘non-effectives’ despite target numbers, curtailed regimes and impacted key worker compliance, while lost property and prolonged mental health transfer waits persisted as significant and repeated concerns.
Key concerns identified
  • Prolonged waits for assessment and transfer of prisoners with severe mental ill-health to appropriate secure settings.
  • Frequent loss and inadequate tracking of prisoner property, particularly during transfer, causing significant frustration.
  • Lack of purposeful activity and a consistently curtailed regime in the HSU due to staff shortages and redeployments.
  • Sub-optimal compliance with the key worker scheme due to staffing levels and reallocations of staff time.
  • Disparities in outcomes for prisoners with protected characteristics, such as incentives and segregation, requiring further scrutiny and action.
  • The age and condition of some kitchen facilities, and inadequate monitoring of cleaning standards for new showers.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wymott
Published 20 Oct 2022 · 1,129 prisoners
Self-harm: 286 Assaults: 35 Staff assaults: 14
HMP Wymott faced significant challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime, staff shortages, and increased self-harm incidents. While the Board commended efforts to maintain safety and improve medication delivery, major concerns persisted regarding dilapidated accommodation, persistent issues with prisoner property, and limited access to healthcare, particularly mental health and dentistry. The increasing number of IPP prisoners and challenges with progression and resettlement, including releases without accommodation, remain significant issues for the Board.
Key concerns identified
  • The increasing and persistent number of IPP prisoners who are over-tariff, with limited opportunities for progression.
  • Major deficiencies and lack of privacy in A and B wing accommodation, with refurbishment not expected until 2026.
  • Persistent issues with missing prisoner property, including long transfer times and delays in legal mail.
  • Significant staff shortages and inexperience impacting key worker provision, offender management, and workshop availability.
  • Prolonged waiting times for dental and mental health services, compounded by inadequate healthcare facilities and staffing issues.
  • The restricted regime and limited purposeful activity, hindering prisoner progression and leading to releases without accommodation.
2021 PRISON Concerns Isle of Wight
Published 18 Oct 2022 · 991 prisoners
Self-harm: 1,309 Assaults: 59 Staff assaults: 56
HMP Isle of Wight operated under a continued restricted regime in 2021 due to Covid-19, impacting daily life and increasing tensions. While the Board praised staff efforts and noted positive developments in healthcare, equality, and complaint handling, significant concerns persisted regarding the dilapidated laundry, unhygienic meal services, and underfunded estate repairs. Staffing shortfalls in mental health and probation services critically hampered prisoner support and progression, alongside challenges posed by the delayed transfer of Category C prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The laundry at HMP Isle of Wight urgently requires significant upgrading to make it fit for purpose, as the current system is unreliable and end-of-life, incurring substantial costs and lost working hours.
  • The transfer of category C prisoners needs careful management, considering sentence length and increased distance from home for most prisoners, as the prison is a Category B training establishment.
  • All prisoners should have the opportunity to participate in education, with a full range of courses, initial assessments, and personal learning plans provided, and full classroom teaching resumed as soon as regime restrictions allow.
  • Ongoing faults with the fire alarm system, particularly at Parkhurst, required a full replacement which had not yet begun.
  • Significant roof leaks at House Unit 18 (Parkhurst), the tailors workshop, and the chapel (Albany) remain unaddressed due to lack of funding for major repairs, leading to safety concerns in the workshop.
  • Persistent unhygienic practices in meal services were observed, including untrained servery workers, inaccurate food temperature recording, and improper use of hair coverings.
  • Equality and diversity forums and inclusion events were sporadic or reduced due to Covid restrictions, hindering mutual awareness and understanding.
  • Recommendations from the Lammy Report, specifically auditing BAME use of force reports by BAME staff, were outstanding due to a lack of BAME discipline staff.
  • The mental health department was understaffed and lacked a head of department, negatively impacting the provision of full and timely services.
  • Safeguarding in healthcare was identified as an area needing development, with healthcare seeking external agency support.
  • Probation officer staffing levels were at a critical 46% of requirements, resulting in many prisoners missing crucial one-to-one interventions and making little progress with their sentence plans.
  • Around 400 category C prisoners remained at HMP IOW without prospect of transfer to a resettlement establishment, causing anger and frustration and presenting challenges for the management team.
2022 PRISON Concerns Winchester
Published 17 Oct 2022 · 500 prisoners
Self-harm: 607 Assaults: 167 Staff assaults: 170
HMP Winchester, a complex local B/C category prison, continues to face significant challenges, including high levels of violence and self-harm, a restricted regime with prolonged cell confinement, and critical issues with its outdated building infrastructure. While staff efforts to provide humane treatment are commendable, severe staffing shortages and high turnover undermine consistency and effective key working. The IMB highlights persistent problems such as cell overcrowding, inadequate CCTV, and vermin infestation, which compromise safety and wellbeing despite some recent positive trends in violence reduction and effective pandemic management.
Key concerns identified
  • Inadequate staffing levels, high turnover, and inexperience compromising consistent service delivery.
  • Poor building infrastructure and outdated design leading to persistent overcrowding, discomfort from extreme temperatures, and safety risks from collapsing masonry and vandalism.
  • High levels of violence (prisoner-on-prisoner, staff assaults) and self-harm, alongside inadequate and misfunctioning CCTV coverage.
  • Restricted regime with excessive cell confinement (over 22 hours daily), especially for remand prisoners, severely limiting purposeful activity.
  • Significant vermin infestation (rats, pigeons) impacting health, safety, and working conditions.
  • New prisoners face significant risk of debt due to delays in setting up spend accounts for canteen purchases.
2022 PRISON Concerns Coldingley
Published 13 Oct 2022 · 471 prisoners
Self-harm: 100 Assaults: 34 Staff assaults: 46
HMP Coldingley, a men's Category C resettlement and training prison, has largely recovered from pandemic restrictions, with prisoners now enjoying increased time out of cell and positive staff-prisoner relations. While refurbishment plans are underway and healthcare is well-regarded, significant concerns persist regarding the high volume of illicit items, the continued absence of in-cell sanitation in older wings, and the inadequacy of educational provision. The Board also highlights issues with prisoner property management, disproportionate use of force against Muslim prisoners, and a lack of control for the Governor over infrastructure projects and education contracts.
Key concerns identified
  • The continued high volume of illicit items, including drugs, hooch, and mobile phones, leading to prisoner debt, violence, and bullying.
  • The persistent absence of in-cell sanitation in the older wings, which is undignified for prisoners, despite a refurbishment programme underway but not due to complete until late 2026.
  • The stubbornly high number of prisoners serving Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPP) well over their tariff, and a shortage of Category D prison places in southern England.
  • The disproportionately high use of force against Muslim prisoners, consistent with regional and national patterns.
  • Poor standards of educational provision, hampered by insufficient funding, inadequate contractual arrangements, and a lack of local Governor autonomy.
  • The long-standing problems with lost and misplaced prisoner property, particularly during transfers, due to an antiquated paper-based system.
  • Confusion and delays surrounding the delivery and maintenance of infrastructure projects, with central contractual control appearing slow and fragmented, leading to issues such as wings being without hot water for weeks.
  • Inadequate CCTV surveillance in key residential areas, contributing to difficulties in combating bullying and violence.
  • Failures in de-escalation of incidents and variable quality in key safety processes like ACCTs and CSIPs, partly due to a large proportion of new, inexperienced staff.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wealstun
Published 12 Oct 2022 · 800 prisoners
HMP Wealstun, a Category C training prison, experienced significant challenges during 2021-22, primarily due to severe staffing shortages that led to frequent regime curtailments and long periods of cell confinement. While healthcare provision was generally well-managed and positive work was noted in areas like substance misuse recovery and equality initiatives, major concerns persist regarding the inhumane treatment of IPP prisoners, the use of double cells, and the deteriorating conditions of older wings. The Board has made recommendations at national and local levels to address staffing, infrastructure, and resettlement pathways to ensure a humane and progressive environment.
Key concerns identified
  • Significant staffing shortages are leading to frequent regime restrictions and long periods of cell confinement.
  • The treatment of prisoners serving IPP sentences is considered inhumane due to a lack of progression and resettlement opportunities.
  • The reintroduction of doubling up in cells is inconsistent with standards of decency, particularly regarding toilet facilities.
  • The older A and B wings are in poor condition and require significant refurbishment or replacement.
  • The daily food allowance remains inadequate to provide sufficient meals for adult men, exacerbated by inflation.
  • A national shortage of Category D open prison places causes significant delays in transfers for recategorised prisoners.
  • The low rate of prisoner pay, coupled with increased canteen costs, makes basic items unaffordable for many.
  • Key worker sessions are severely limited due to staff redeployment, hindering prisoner support.
  • High levels of self-harm, against comparator prisons, are a concern, possibly linked to regime unpredictability.
2022 PRISON Concerns Downview
Published 10 Oct 2022 · 265 prisoners
Self-harm: 752 Assaults: 14 Staff assaults: 32
HMP/YOI Downview experienced another year significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime and challenges across various departments. While the Board found the prison safe and prisoners treated fairly, it raised significant concerns regarding the management and provision of healthcare, staffing pressures, and the lack of digital access for education. These issues highlight the ongoing difficulties in maintaining optimal conditions and services for prisoners under pandemic and resource constraints.
Key concerns identified
  • Lengthy segregation of prisoners with complex mental health needs and prolific self-harming behaviour in a prison environment.
  • Lack of IT infrastructure in prison education and barriers created to enabling prisoners to be job-ready.
  • Concern about an additional layer of reporting and accountability for the employment advisory board, with minimal impact on positive outcomes for prisoners.
  • Lack of stability with the management of healthcare and little confidence in how healthcare complaints are managed and logged.
  • Perceived lack of support for the Listeners scheme.
2022 PRISON Concerns Littlehey
Published 9 Oct 2022 · 1,158 prisoners
Self-harm: 452 Assaults: 42 Staff assaults: 24
HMP Littlehey, a Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offenses, held 1,158 prisoners against an operational capacity of 1,180. The reporting year was dominated by pandemic restrictions, severely impacting regime and access to purposeful activity. While the prison maintained safety and saw reductions in self-harm and staff assaults, significant concerns persist regarding overcrowding, delays in estate improvements, and adequate provision of resettlement and diversity initiatives.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of resources for resettlement activities despite significant releases and ongoing parole needs.
  • Too many prisoners are forced to share cells, some of which are designed as single cells, a concern repeated from last year.
  • Delays in publishing the new prisoners’ property policy framework, making property the most complained about issue.
  • Significant delays and questionable planning in replacing G wing, with a planned temporary structure on a sports pitch.
  • The continuing use of temporary freezers at HMP Littlehey, ongoing for over two years, creating costs and health and safety risks.
  • Delays in rolling out in-cell telephones, causing frustration for prisoners transferring from other establishments.
  • Insufficient progress on making improvements for elderly prisoners available across all of HMP Littlehey and maintaining wheelchairs.
  • Progress on understanding equality issues and embedding diversity and inclusion has not progressed as anticipated, with potential over-representation of Black and Muslim prisoners in adjudications and use of force incidents.
  • PPO investigations identified concerns with safeguarding and procedures that left elderly prisoners in an unsafe condition.
  • The segregation unit (CSU) is unsuitable for long-term isolation, especially for those with severe mental health issues, with one cell out of use for two years.
  • An upward trend in prisoners not attending appointments (DNAs) for most healthcare services and over 100 psychology clinics cancelled due to staffing.
  • Staff facilities in the older Lakeside gymnasium remain in poor repair with potential health and safety implications.
  • 23.6% of prisoners (273 individuals) have no assigned activity for any part of the day, indicating a lack of purposeful activity.
2021 IRC Concerns Dungavel House IRC
Published 5 Oct 2022 · 14 prisoners
Self-harm: 3
Dungavel IRC was well-managed by both GEO and Mitie throughout 2021 despite COVID-19 challenges, treating residents fairly and safely. Healthcare provision was good, and a relaxed regime with ample activities was maintained due to low resident numbers. Key concerns included IMB member recruitment, high CSU temperatures, the need for a disability officer, and unresolved issues like staff negotiation training and parking.
Key concerns identified
  • Recruitment of IMB members is a serious problem due to the centre's remote location.
  • The temperature within the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) was too high.
  • Disability was not afforded the same priority as other protected characteristics; a disability officer should be considered.
  • Training for staff in negotiating techniques needs to be implemented.
  • The parking area requires expansion.
2022 PRISON Concerns Peterborough (Men)
Published 28 Sep 2022 · 824 prisoners
Self-harm: 452 Assaults: 175 Staff assaults: 77
HMP Peterborough operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, impacting regime and staffing, yet saw a welcome continued decrease in violence and self-harm incidents. Concerns persist regarding the adequacy of healthcare services, resettlement provision post-CRC transition, and the length of time some remand prisoners are held. The prison demonstrated strengths in staff commitment, SEN provision, and resettlement accommodation outcomes, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in staff retention and property management.
Key concerns identified
  • The length of time some remand prisoners are held.
  • Gaps and restrictions in resettlement services following the handover from CRCs to NPS, with further reductions planned.
  • Widespread perception among prisoners that all Healthcare services (Clinical, Mental, and substance misuse) are not up to the expected standard.
  • Difficulties processing and delivering prisoner property and mail, exacerbated by staff shortages.
  • Lack of suitable clinic and group rooms for mental health provision and a shortage of mental health hospital beds for transfers.
  • The key worker system remains ineffective for some prisoners, with limited evidence of improved outcomes.
2022 PRISON Concerns Peterborough (Women)
Published 28 Sep 2022
Self-harm: 1,154 Assaults: 29 Staff assaults: 43
HMP Peterborough (Women) navigated a challenging year with Covid-19 restrictions, managing outbreaks and staff shortages while still making improvements in safety and achieving its accommodation on release target. Despite this, prisoner dissatisfaction with healthcare services remained high, alongside concerns about the effectiveness of the key worker system and the impact of probation service changes on resettlement. The Board noted the prison's strong commitment to prisoner welfare and its proactive efforts in communication and SEN support.
Key concerns identified
  • The Board remains concerned at the number of women serving very short sentences.
  • The handover from community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) to the National Probation Service (NPS) left gaps in provision of resettlement services, and NPS will be restricting their activities further.
  • The restitution of a robust key work system whereby women are aware of this support and know their assigned key worker.
  • Further progress on adapting the prison’s regime and practice to suit the needs of women better.
  • The widespread perception among prisoners that all Healthcare services (Clinical, Mental, and substance misuse) are not up to the standard expected.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wandsworth
Published 27 Sep 2022 · 1,385 prisoners
Self-harm: 771 Assaults: 390 Staff assaults: 376
HMP Wandsworth, a severely overcrowded reception prison holding 1,385 prisoners against a CNA of 961, faced significant challenges during the reporting period. Critical staff shortages severely impacted regime delivery and contributed to the prison being deemed unsafe due to rising violence and self-harm. Living conditions in the dilapidated Victorian buildings remained inhumane, while healthcare services suffered from long waiting times and poor inpatient facilities, and resettlement support for the majority remand population was inadequate.
Key concerns identified
  • The prison has significant staffing problems which were adversely affecting the regime.
  • HMP Wandsworth continues to be severely overcrowded, leading to inhumane conditions.
  • The prison was not safe, with a rising level of violence, a view that has not changed from the previous year.
  • The fabric of the prisoner accommodation was unacceptable, with very little refurbishment carried out to address chronic issues.
  • The Jones and Addison inpatient units had poor conditions and were deemed 'not a fit place to care for seriously unwell patients'.
  • Housing services are only offered to sentenced prisoners, leaving over 70% of the remand population without this vital support.
2022 PRISON Concerns Woodhill
Published 22 Sep 2022 · 503 prisoners
Assaults: 195 Staff assaults: 221
HMP Woodhill faced significant challenges during the reporting year, primarily driven by severe staffing shortages which restricted the regime and impacted prisoner safety, wellbeing, and access to services. While there were positive efforts in areas like Covid-19 response and family contact initiatives, high levels of violence, prolonged segregation, and inadequate progression opportunities remained key concerns. The IMB judges that the prison requires improvement, particularly in addressing staffing, regime delivery, and resettlement support.
Key concerns identified
  • High levels of all types of violence persist across the prison.
  • Significant staffing shortages lead to an inexperienced workforce, compromised safety, and a severely restricted regime.
  • Too many prisoners are held in segregation for prolonged periods, with a lack of suitable alternatives across the Prison Service.
  • Frequent cancellations of healthcare and hospital appointments are caused by a lack of prison staff for escorts.
  • Inadequate progression and resettlement support due to high case loads for case workers and too few offending behaviour programmes.
  • Limited access to education and work placements, coupled with social visits only available on weekdays, severely restricts purposeful activity and family contact.
2022 PRISON Concerns Stafford
Published 21 Sep 2022 · 741 prisoners
HMP Stafford, a Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, navigated significant challenges during the reporting period, primarily systemic failures in medicines management, Covid-19 outbreaks, and staff shortages impacting the regime. While the Board noted severe concerns regarding healthcare and the lack of in-cell phones, it commended staff resilience, low violence levels, good education attendance, and effective resettlement efforts, particularly in securing accommodation for released residents.
Key concerns identified
  • Sustained effective healthcare and medicines management for residents, not just provider targets.
  • The prison needs to move towards more of a Category C rather than Category B 'feel'.
  • The urgent introduction of modern in-cell phone technology (fixed or mobile).
  • The appalling treatment of some Foreign National residents during removal processes.
  • The non-use of available Special Care Unit (SCU) beds for residents with severe dementia who were instead coping in cells.
  • The ongoing impact of the legionella outbreak on shower access, especially for disabled residents.
2022 PRISON Concerns Usk and Prescoed
Published 20 Sep 2022 · 430 prisoners
Self-harm: 13 Assaults: 10 Staff assaults: 3
HMP Usk and Prescoed are considered effective, well-run prisons with low levels of violence and self-harm, successfully navigating Covid-19 restrictions while maintaining humane treatment. Challenges include reduced education funding, inadequate mental health and probation staffing, and persistent issues for men serving IPP sentences. The Board commends the cooperation between staff and prisoners, and the impressive rate of successful resettlement via Release on Temporary Licence.
Key concerns identified
  • The effective decrease in education funding could negatively impact prisoner outcomes.
  • Men serving IPP sentences, often long past their tariff, face severe mental health issues due to the hopelessness of their position.
  • An urgent replacement is needed for a mental health nurse, leaving the team understaffed.
  • The complement of probation officers is inadequate, with only one officer for a workload requiring four.
  • There is a need to improve telephone access for men at HMP Usk.
2021 PRISON Concerns Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in England
Published 12 Sep 2022
This national IMB report covers Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in England from June 2020 to August 2021, a period heavily shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic. While some positive developments were noted, such as improved reception processes and generally lower self-harm, significant concerns persisted. These included limited time out of cell, insufficient education, and critical delays in mental health transfers and post-release support from local authorities, all exacerbated by pandemic restrictions.
Key concerns identified
  • Limited time out of room, hindering progression, resettlement, and impacting mental health.
  • Insufficient education and training provision, often disrupted by lockdowns, staffing shortages, and inappropriate grouping.
  • Serious delays in transferring acutely mentally ill young people to secure mental health hospitals, with some held for prolonged periods.
  • Poor support from some local authorities for young people for whom they were responsible, affecting financial support and post-release accommodation.
  • Spikes in violence, including gang mentality, finds of improvised weapons, drugs, and mobile phones at some YOIs.
  • Many rooms were not fit for purpose, lacking basic facilities and furnishings, and refurbishment works taking too long.
  • High numbers of young people on remand, leading to lengthy periods of detention due to trial delays.
2022 PRISON Concerns Whatton
Published 6 Sep 2022 · 791 prisoners
Self-harm: 302 Assaults: 34
HMP Whatton, a Category C training prison for sexual offenders, commendably maintained a fair and humane routine amidst Covid-19 restrictions, with staff efforts appreciated. Despite improvements in areas like the complaints system and a decrease in self-harm, significant concerns persist regarding the impact of prolonged 22-hour cell lockdowns on prisoner wellbeing, the substandard B wing accommodation, and backlogs in accredited programmes and transfers. Healthcare faced staffing and facility challenges but delivered community-equivalent services.
Key concerns identified
  • Mental and emotional wellbeing of prisoners due to prolonged isolation in cells.
  • Substandard and unfit accommodation in the B wings.
  • Backlog of prisoners waiting to complete accredited programmes impacting sentence plans and parole.
  • Delays in transferring Category D prisoners to suitable prisons.
  • Persistent issues with loss of prisoners’ property during transfers, with inadequate tracking and complaint responses.
  • Inadequate and unsuitable healthcare accommodation impeding provision.
  • Delays in transferring prisoners to secure mental health hospitals.
2022 PRISON Concerns Berwyn
Published 5 Sep 2022
Self-harm: 1,638 Assaults: 405 Staff assaults: 242
HMP Berwyn continues to be a safe establishment, though it faces significant challenges from staffing shortages, which impact regime delivery, purposeful activity, and key work. The Board notes improvements in resettlement outcomes and a reduction in serious assaults, alongside robust use of force data collection. Key concerns remain the long waiting times for dental care and mental health transfers, as well as the poor timeliness in responding to prisoner complaints.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of sufficient staff, which is the biggest destabilising factor in the prison.
  • Staffing shortages regularly impact the establishment, causing restricted regimes and impacting upon important initiatives such as key work.
  • Workshops were not fully operational in this reporting period.
  • The prison population is aging, and there is a need for training for staff on recognising and dealing with dementia and other age-related needs.
  • Wait times for dental care are operating at 12 months.
  • There are long waiting times for transfer to secure mental health facilities due to a lack of beds in receiving establishments.
  • Only 46% of all complaints in 2021 received responses within the nationally prescribed target time.
  • Reduced operational capacity for transfers to other prisons continues to be an area of concern, impacted by Covid-19 related reductions in operational staffing.
2022 PRISON Concerns Rochester
Published 1 Sep 2022 · 668 prisoners
Assaults: 133
HMP/YOI Rochester managed to maintain a stable and safe environment despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions during the reporting year. However, this came at the cost of a highly restrictive regime, confining prisoners to cells for 22 hours daily, which the Board considered inhumane. Significant challenges persist, including dilapidated accommodation, severe IMB understaffing, recurring property issues, and a backlog of Category D transfers, all impeding prisoner progression and resettlement.
Key concerns identified
  • The lack of suitable accommodation in the South East for prisoners completing sentences or released on HDC hinders re-offending reduction.
  • The IMB is severely understaffed, having reduced to six active members from 14, making it challenging to discharge statutory duties.
  • Prison accommodation is very poor, with dilapidated Edwardian buildings and aging pre-fabricated units experiencing ventilation, water supply, and heating issues.
  • Persistent problems with property loss and delays occur during prisoner transfers and within the prison.
  • Too many Category D prisoners remain at Rochester awaiting transfer to open conditions, which is perceived as unfair.
  • Cell clearance checks are often haphazard, particularly when prisoners are moved to the Segregation Unit, leading to property loss.
  • The property office is frequently unmanned and staffed by personnel who lack proper training in its systems.
2022 PRISON Concerns Pentonville
Published 24 Aug 2022 · 1,043 prisoners
Self-harm: 564 Assaults: 327 Staff assaults: 201
Pentonville, a Category B/C YOI, operated with an average population of 1,043 against an operational capacity of 1,000, facing severe overcrowding and infrastructure issues. The reporting year was marked by significant staff shortages, leading to a restricted regime with many prisoners locked in cells for nearly 23 hours a day, hampering rehabilitation efforts. Key concerns include dilapidated buildings, disrupted mental health services, a critical gap in resettlement support for remand prisoners, and an underperforming Offender Management Unit. Positively, the prison saw success with its new drug-free wing and continued effective Covid-19 management.
Key concerns identified
  • The lack of privacy and cramped conditions, with men still forced to share cells designed for single occupancy, is exacerbated by the crumbling fabric of the buildings, leading to vermin infestations and recurrent failures of heating and hot water.
  • Many prisoners are locked up for almost 23 hours a day under the Structured On-Wing Activity (SOWA) regime, severely limiting opportunities for education, training, and rehabilitation due to wing-based activity.
  • Persistent staff shortages and low morale have led to the curtailment of the regime and an almost complete lack of key work, denying prisoners important support and causing significant frustration.
  • Mental health services are severely disrupted with a three-month waiting list, and the award-winning wellbeing centre remains massively under-utilised.
  • There is a critical gap in resettlement services for remanded prisoners, who now comprise nearly 75% of the population, as many agencies are not contracted to work with them.
  • The poor performance of the Offender Management Unit consistently leaves prisoners without basic and crucial information about their sentences, parole, and release dates for weeks or even months.
2022 PRISON Concerns Styal
Published 23 Aug 2022 · 373 prisoners
HMP/YOI Styal successfully managed Covid-19 spread and saw a significant reduction in self-harm, with healthcare and perinatal care provision improving. However, the Board highlighted critical staffing shortages impacting regime and services, persistent decency and fire risks in residential houses, and challenges in managing prisoners with severe mental health needs. Concerns were also raised regarding medication administration, changes to resettlement contracts, and the distress caused by the parcel ban.
Key concerns identified
  • Staffing capacity issues are critically impacting the regime, healthcare access, and prisoner movement, exacerbated by the need for escorts for the female cohort.
  • There is a pressing national need for more specialist psychiatric facilities to manage prisoners with severe mental health problems, who are currently held in unsuitable conditions.
  • Decency issues persist in the residential houses, including insufficient toilets and bathrooms, overcrowding, and a general poor state of repair, despite some refurbishment efforts.
  • The ban on incoming parcels causes significant distress to prisoners, as the provided alternatives are inadequate in terms of choice, size, and cost.
  • There are ongoing concerns about changes to Through the Gate Services contracts, with new external partners lacking requisite experience in post-release accommodation.
  • The incentives scheme lacks consistent interpretation and application, making it difficult to monitor its impact and perceived benefits for prisoners.
2022 PRISON Concerns Manchester
Published 19 Aug 2022 · 676 prisoners
HMP Manchester navigated a challenging year with ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and its transition to a Category B training prison. While commendations were noted for efforts in safety and equality, persistent staffing shortages severely impacted regime consistency, prisoner treatment, and access to services. Key concerns highlighted delays in vital estate improvements, an unacceptable wait for dental care, and significant issues with prisoner property and escorts to healthcare appointments.
Key concerns identified
  • The physical estate continues to cause concern, with delayed installation of safety windows and unresolved central tower repair leading to litter accumulation.
  • Inadequate and fluctuating staffing levels hinder fair and humane treatment, key worker provision, and escorting prisoners to medical appointments.
  • An unacceptable 70-day waiting time for dental treatment persists.
  • Category A, segregation, and CSC prisoners face challenges in attending medical appointments due to insufficient escort staff.
  • Use of force documents are not consistently completed within the mandatory 72-hour timeframe.
  • Property-related complaints remain high, including delays in transfers from other prisons and issues with internal property movements.
  • Self-harm incidents increased significantly as Covid restrictions eased, suggesting prisoners feel less safe in a more open regime.
  • Purposeful activity and education delivery are inconsistent and limited due to staff shortages and the prison's changing function.
  • Short-sentence prisoners have minimal opportunities for progression, and many are unclear about their sentence plans or offender manager support.
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