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IMB Annual Reports

811 annual reports from Independent Monitoring Boards covering 171 establishments. IMBs provide independent oversight of prisons, immigration removal centres, and secure training centres. Source: imb.org.uk.

811 reports 171 establishments 800 with key concerns

Annual reports

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811 matching reports.

Lowdham Grange
Published 31 May 2023 · 860 prisoners
Self-harm: 606 Assaults: 131 Staff assaults: 61
AI-generated report summary HMP Lowdham Grange experienced a challenging reporting year (Feb 2022 – Jan 2023) marked by significant contract transition and refurbishment works. This led to a deterioration in safety, increased self-harm and assaults, and a decline in staff morale and prisoner engagement. Despite some positive healthcare developments like a new wellbeing centre, services remained below community standards, compounded by staffing shortages.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Deterioration of safety due to increased assaults, self-harm, weapons, and prevalent drug misuse.
  • Significant reduction in purposeful activity and prisoners spending long periods locked in cells.
  • Healthcare provision remains below community standards, exacerbated by staff shortages and lack of night cover.
  • Staffing challenges, including high resignations, low morale, and reduced prisoner engagement, impacting regime delivery.
  • Persistent issues with delayed coroners' inquests and property management.
  • The segregation unit holding prisoners for extended periods, including those awaiting mental health transfers.
Report year 2023 PRISON Concerns
Hindley
Published 30 May 2023
Self-harm: 423 Assaults: 222 Staff assaults: 78
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Hindley was deemed a safe environment with reduced violent incidents, but persistent staffing shortages led to extended lockdowns, negatively impacting prisoner wellbeing and mental health. The Board noted an increase in use of force and concerns over delays in parole hearings and inquests. While healthcare was satisfactory, low purposeful activity engagement and a lack of a clear incentives scheme remain significant issues.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The continued impact of uncertainties and delays in parole board hearings for indeterminate sentence prisoners.
  • Significant delays in holding inquests, causing distress to families and staff.
  • No funding to upgrade existing accommodation to an acceptable level, creating a two-tier experience.
  • Weaknesses in staff selection, induction, or initial training, contributing to a high attrition rate.
  • High staff turnover and extended periods of lockdown, significantly impacting prisoner mental health and quality of life.
  • Low attendance and frequent cancellation of work or training sessions, hindering preparation for release.
  • Lack of an effective, comprehensive, and clear incentives scheme and payments policy.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Frankland
Published 26 May 2023 · 825 prisoners
Assaults: 23 Staff assaults: 12
AI-generated report summary HMP Frankland, a high-security training prison, has operated near its 852 capacity. The Board noted positive developments including staff efforts to maintain safety, the continuation of social video calls, and strong educational engagement. Key concerns include chronic healthcare staffing shortages, persistent issues with property tracking, the ingress of illicit drugs, and the impact of heating problems on workshop availability.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Chronic staffing shortages in healthcare.
  • The long-overdue tracking and tracing of property.
  • Illicit drugs getting into the estate.
  • Days lost in workshops due to ongoing heating issues.
  • Coping with demands on resources from an increasing older age range population.
  • Pharmacy provision on lower older wings not fit for purpose.
  • Slow complaints response times.
  • Plans to replace or repair kitchen equipment.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Isis
Published 25 May 2023 · 600 prisoners
Self-harm: 180 Assaults: 244 Staff assaults: 97
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Isis, a training prison for young adults and Category C men, housed around 600 prisoners in 2022. The Board noted an encouraging drop in self-harm and decreasing trends in violence and use of force, alongside effective healthcare leadership. However, significant concerns remain regarding persistent staffing shortages, insufficient time out of cell, and poor provision of purposeful activity and accredited rehabilitation programs, which hinder prisoners' progression and resettlement.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The high rate of violence, particularly on the induction spur, remains a significant concern.
  • Insufficient time out of cell, especially in the evenings and at weekends, limits access to rehabilitation activities.
  • Persistent staffing shortages across all departments undermine key work delivery, offender management, and overall regime provision.
  • The ongoing issue of badly fitting and broken cell windows, which remains unresolved since the prison opened.
  • Significant increases in reported drug use incidents and other contraband finds, including mobile phones and weapons.
  • Poor provision and underutilisation of vocational training and purposeful activity spaces, hindering prisoners' progression and resettlement.
  • Backlogs in OASys reports and prisoner recategorisation, exacerbated by high prisoner churn and short sentences.
  • The lack of accredited offending behaviour programmes to address issues such as domestic abuse or violence.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Aylesbury
Published 19 May 2023 · 371 prisoners
Self-harm: 175 Assaults: 132 Staff assaults: 56
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Aylesbury faced a challenging year due to Covid-19 restrictions and severe staff shortages, which impacted the regime, purposeful activity, and staff-prisoner relationships. Despite these difficulties, the prison completed significant refurbishment projects and effectively contained Covid infections. Key concerns included persistent gang culture, high use of force, inadequate education and resettlement support, and issues with staffing levels and property management.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Significant staff shortages negatively impacting the regime and purposeful activity.
  • Persistent issues with gang culture and violence, contributing to the prison's reputation.
  • Suboptimal education provision throughout the year and inadequate resettlement support for released prisoners.
  • High use of PAVA and the ineffectiveness of the CSIP programme in managing violent tendencies.
  • Outdated property management system leading to frequent complaints, and issues with family parcels.
  • Insufficient support for foreign national and less literate prisoners, including underutilisation of translation services.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Grendon
Published 12 May 2023 · 160 prisoners
Self-harm: 28 Assaults: 4 Staff assaults: 1
AI-generated report summary HMP Grendon, a Category B therapeutic prison, saw improvements in its regime post-Covid restrictions, with low levels of self-harm, assaults, and no deaths in custody. Staff-prisoner relationships remained excellent, and initiatives in diversity and family contact were strong. However, the prison faced ongoing challenges from a protracted fire safety project, persistent issues with night sanitation, and a noticeable erosion of its therapeutic culture post-pandemic. Significant concerns remain regarding staffing shortages in key areas, delays in transferring men out of therapy, and inadequate governance of healthcare data, all contributing to a difficult operational environment despite the positive progress in other areas.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Impact of overridden Parole Board recommendations on men's hope and therapeutic communities.
  • Persistent issues with night sanitation not meeting decency and hygiene standards.
  • Significant delays and unsatisfactory execution of the ongoing fire safety project, causing disruption and loss of capacity.
  • Too many men spending extended periods Out of Therapy (OOT) due to transport and transfer delays, hindering progression and disrupting communities.
  • Lack of robust healthcare data governance, staff shortages leading to delayed complaint responses, and unaddressed communication issues.
  • Budgetary constraints preventing fairer wages to help prisoners offset rising canteen costs.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Springhill
Published 12 May 2023 · 300 prisoners
Self-harm: 2 Assaults: 1 Staff assaults: 2
AI-generated report summary HMP Springhill, an open Category D prison, faced challenges in 2022 despite maintaining low levels of self-harm, assaults, and use of force. The Board raised significant concerns regarding the poor quality of prisoner accommodation, persistent delays with external probation impacting Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), and a lack of sustainable employment outcomes post-release. Staffing shortages affected healthcare and education, and property complaints, particularly during transfers, remained an unsatisfactory issue for men.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The quality of accommodation for the majority of men in the older huts remains very poor, and there is an ongoing need for appropriate investment in the decaying infrastructure.
  • Delays with outside probation continue to affect men’s access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL).
  • Access to approved premises for restricted prisoners on resettlement overnight releases (RORs) has become especially difficult.
  • Pay levels for men not in full-time work have fallen well behind price increases, and the Governor's ability to award meaningful pay rises is constrained.
  • Property complaints, particularly involving transfers between establishments, remain high and have not reduced despite new policy frameworks.
  • ROTL is not consistently leading to sustainable employment on release, with low post-release employment rates for most months.
  • Insufficient purposeful activity on camp, with too many men in roles that don't offer resettlement opportunities.
  • Inadequate staff training on complaints responses and suicide and self-harm (SASH) prevention.
  • Limited access to healthcare data hinders effective oversight and assessment of provision.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Gartree
Published 10 May 2023 · 593 prisoners
Self-harm: 242 Assaults: 58 Staff assaults: 53
AI-generated report summary HMP Gartree experienced an increase in assaults and self-harm incidents during the reporting year, alongside nine deaths in custody. The Board raised significant concerns about the lack of progress on essential infrastructure improvements, the quality and availability of purposeful activity, and delays in mental health transfers. Positive developments included improvements in the complaints system and effective detection of illicit items, but staffing retention and the lack of data to assure healthcare equivalence remain challenges.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Increase in assaults (staff and prisoner-on-prisoner) and violent incidents.
  • Continued influx of drugs and other illegal items, with drone sightings, and incomplete security initiatives.
  • Nine deaths in custody, with repeated PPO recommendations regarding end-of-life care and hospital escorts.
  • Concerns about prisoners housed in the SAPU for extended periods, exacerbated by delays in transfers to secure mental health units.
  • Non-existent progress on improvements to the fabric and infrastructure of the prison, particularly showers.
  • Lack of factual data to evidence that health and wellbeing services are equivalent to the wider community.
  • Limited amount and quality of purposeful activity, training, and employment opportunities, and a lack of offending behaviour programmes.
  • Slow movement of prisoners to lower categories (C and D) and a virtual moratorium on progression.
  • Staffing challenges including the ongoing loss of experienced officers and slow progress in the key worker scheme.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Morton Hall
Published 9 May 2023 · 310 prisoners
Self-harm: 38 Assaults: 17 Staff assaults: 6
AI-generated report summary HMP Morton Hall, a Category C prison for foreign national men, has transitioned from an IRC during its first reporting year (Dec 2021-Dec 2022). It is a safe and humane establishment, effectively meeting health and wellbeing needs, despite operating with an evolving regime and a gradually increasing population. Key challenges include issues with Home Office processing for foreign national prisoners, regime consistency, and ensuring sufficient purposeful activity, all of which the Board highlights in its recommendations.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Many prisoners eligible for Early Removal Scheme (ERS) do not leave at the earliest opportunity.
  • Prisoners held under Immigration Act powers post-sentence (IS91) do not receive timely notification from the Home Office.
  • The slow increase in prisoner population led to frequent regime adjustments and limited purposeful activity for much of the year.
  • Systems for interprison property transfer need improvement.
  • The daily food cost allowance is insufficient given inflation and reliance on carbohydrates.
  • Librarian services lack absence relief cover, leading to library closures.
  • Canteen goods quality is an issue, with bad fruit/mouldy cheese and delays in refunds.
  • Prisoners' work ethic and punctuality for work need improvement.
  • Roll reconciliation processes delay prisoner access to planned activities.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Hollesley Bay
Published 28 Apr 2023
Self-harm: 5 Assaults: 2 Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary Hollesley Bay is an open Category D YOI prison commend for its safe and humane treatment of prisoners, effective COVID-19 management, and progress in equality and resettlement. The introduction of the 'sequencing' regime has provided a more structured approach to learning and external employment. However, the report highlights concerns regarding the prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, significant backlog in estate maintenance, and perceived inadequacy of food provision. Healthcare delivery is generally satisfactory, though high DNA rates for appointments due to communication issues and dental waiting times require attention.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The government's decision not to support the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners.
  • The continued prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, despite the addition of new units providing an opportunity to eliminate them.
  • The ongoing backlog of repair and maintenance issues affecting the prison's fabric, including plumbing, roofs, and general appearance.
  • The perceived inadequacy of food provision, particularly lunch, and concerns about food transport to HMP Warren Hill.
  • High Did Not Attend (DNA) rates for both general healthcare and dental appointments, often attributed to staff not passing on appointment letters promptly.
  • A persistent lack of trust among some Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) prisoners in the formal complaints system, despite robust equality monitoring.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Brixton
Published 27 Apr 2023 · 722 prisoners
Self-harm: 204 Assaults: 180
AI-generated report summary HMP Brixton experienced significant challenges in the reporting year, emerging from pandemic lockdowns with a loss of momentum in improvements. An unannounced inspection in March 2022 found the prison 'in trouble', noting declines in safety, respect, and purposeful activity since 2019. Key issues included increased violence, inadequate accommodation, insufficient purposeful activity, and significant difficulties with resettlement, particularly regarding Category D transfers and post-release accommodation.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Overcrowded and inadequate accommodation: many prisoners share cramped, dilapidated cells.
  • Insufficient purposeful activity: not enough work or training places, leading to a restrictive regime.
  • Increase in violence: assault rates were higher than in previous years.
  • Lack of consistent key worker provision: impacting prisoner support.
  • Shortage of Category D places and delays in transfer to open conditions: hindering resettlement.
  • Lack of accommodation for men on release: particularly in London, undermining resettlement efforts.
  • Inappropriate allocation of prisoners: many arriving without sentence plans or unsuitable for the prison's profile.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Guys Marsh
Published 25 Apr 2023 · 491 prisoners
Self-harm: 416 Assaults: 205 Staff assaults: 75
AI-generated report summary HMP Guys Marsh saw a return to a more normal regime after Covid restrictions, but persistent challenges remained, notably in staffing, safety, and healthcare provision. Violence, often driven by illicit substances, and the lack of effective key working were significant concerns. While some areas like the ISMS team and chaplaincy were commended, mental health services were hampered by the absence of a psychiatrist, and a death in custody highlighted communication and ACCT deficiencies. The Board also raised concerns about low attendance at purposeful activity, the condition of the estate's infrastructure, and the slow complaints process.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The ongoing challenge of illicit items, including throwovers and drones, driven by Organised Crime Groups, necessitating a more sophisticated combat approach.
  • Persistent staffing issues, including absenteeism, staff retention, and the inability to deliver effective key working within the OMIC framework.
  • Significant concerns regarding mental healthcare provision, specifically the absence of a psychiatrist and long waiting times for hospital transfers, highlighted by a death in custody and PPO criticism of ACCT processes.
  • Low attendance at purposeful activity and work, attributed to cultural issues and inadequate incentives, compounded by the fragmentation of resettlement services.
  • Substandard estate conditions, including an unfit district heating main, an unkempt external environment, and issues arising from a disastrous main laundry refit.
  • Slow and often inadequate responses within the prisoner complaints process.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Long Lartin
Published 14 Apr 2023 · 530 prisoners
Self-harm: 412 Assaults: 114 Staff assaults: 70
AI-generated report summary HMP Long Lartin faced a challenging year ending December 2022, primarily due to severe uniformed staff shortages that limited regime provision and hindered recovery from pandemic restrictions. Key concerns included inadequate infrastructure and maintenance, persistent issues with illicit items and safety, and the degrading conditions in cells lacking running water. Despite these challenges, healthcare provision saw some improvements, and the IMB maintained a productive relationship with prison management.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The severe shortage of uniformed staff severely hindered the prison's emergence from Covid-19 restrictions and limited the regime.
  • Ageing infrastructure and unsatisfactory maintenance support from the contractor, Amey, created a difficult environment.
  • Unreliable faulty security systems, visible rat infestation, and the inability to minimise access to illicit drugs posed constant safety risks.
  • Cells on four wings lack running water and sanitation, which falls below modern standards of decency for approximately half of all prisoners.
  • Prisoners remain in the Care, Separation and Reintegration Unit (CSRU) for extended periods due to a lack of suitable alternatives.
  • The condition of the healthcare centre (HCC), especially the inpatient unit and facilities for disabled prisoners, is inadequate and unsuitable.
  • Significant delays persist for transfers of mental health patients to secure hospitals.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Ford
Published 13 Apr 2023 · 384 prisoners
Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 1
AI-generated report summary HMP Ford is largely deemed a safe environment with fair and humane treatment, effective healthcare, and strong resettlement efforts. However, significant concerns remain regarding unsuitable prisoner arrivals, chronic understaffing in Probation, and a deteriorating prison estate, including outdated accommodation and delays in new builds. The Board also highlights issues with procurement, the lack of consistency in property rules nationally, and challenges in catering and post-release accommodation.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Worsening situation in the Probation Service significantly hampers resettlement.
  • Failure of Metropolitan Police to carry out necessary checks for resettlement.
  • IPP sentences are inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners.
  • High number of unsuitable prisoners arriving at Ford.
  • Largely cosmetic accommodation improvements and continued deterioration of property infrastructure.
  • Uncertainty in committing funding for activities and capital projects.
  • HMPPS procurement processes not delivering timely solutions.
  • Lack of consistency between prisons on permitted property.
  • Domestic washing machines in pods are not sufficiently robust.
  • Challenges in providing a nutritious menu due to budget and poor ingredient quality.
  • High canteen prices compared to external supermarkets.
  • Constant IT issues with the virtual campus.
  • Difficulty in obtaining post-release accommodation.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Durham
Published 31 Mar 2023 · 976 prisoners
Self-harm: 486 Assaults: 225 Staff assaults: 55
AI-generated report summary HMP Durham, a reception and resettlement prison, housed 976 prisoners at year-end, with 61.6% on remand, operating above its certified capacity. The Board commends staff for managing a challenging environment, noting that 93% of prisoners feel safe. Key concerns include persistent overcrowding, the increasing time unsentenced prisoners spend on remand due to court backlogs, and inadequate access to dentistry and certain induction processes. The report highlights improvements in staff attendance at key meetings and UoF monitoring, but also calls for better embedding of BWVC use and addressing regime limitations affecting education and resettlement.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Persistent prison overcrowding and its impact on prisoner dignity.
  • Increased time unsentenced prisoners are spending on remand due to court backlogs.
  • Slow refurbishment of A wing due to inability to decant prisoners.
  • Limited social video calls, impacting out-of-area and foreign national prisoners.
  • Lack of access to probation services for remand prisoners prior to release.
  • Dire issue of access to dentistry.
  • Inconsistent delivery of first night and first day inductions for prisoners moving directly from reception to SACU.
  • Failure to ensure all new prisoners in reception receive healthcare screening before moving to first night centres.
  • Gaps in the completion of supervisors’ daily checks on ACCT documents.
  • Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) use is still not embedded into the prison's culture.
  • Frequent cancellation of prisoner consultation meetings.
  • Deterioration of refreshments in the visits hall tea bar.
  • Uncertainty about the future of the 'early days in custody' service.
  • Delay in implementing the short sentence framework.
  • Cells remain inappropriate for disabled or aged prisoners; basic showering and heat control issues are endemic.
  • Men held under Immigration Act powers remain too long in HMP Durham.
  • Community Rehabilitation Service provision excludes remand prisoners from accommodation support on release.
  • Backlog of personal learning plans and low attendance in education and work.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Forest Bank
Published 30 Mar 2023
Self-harm: 800 Assaults: 574
AI-generated report summary HMP Forest Bank transitioned to a reception and resettlement prison, facing challenges from Covid-19 impacts and staff shortages, though a comprehensive reform programme has since improved conditions. Violence and self-harm levels began to decrease, and purposeful activity, alongside time out of cell, increased significantly by the end of the reporting period. While healthcare provision maintained a good standard, mental health transfer waiting times remained a significant concern.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Ongoing pressure on HMP Forest Bank to accommodate new arrivals, leading to diversions to other prisons.
  • Long waiting times for Mental Health Act transfers to hospital, which are detrimental to prisoners’ mental health.
  • Lack of adequate resourcing for a staffed inpatient unit and further therapeutic services in healthcare.
  • Education curriculum not aligned with the changing needs and demographics of the prison population.
  • High levels of violence, particularly in-cell violence, and disproportionate involvement of young adults (18-25).
  • Poor standard of shower facilities, lacking sufficient privacy for prisoners.
  • Key worker scheme struggling due to ongoing staff shortages and insufficient quality engagement with prisoners.
  • Persistent issues with missing property, especially during transfers or moves within the prison.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Haverigg
Published 29 Mar 2023 · 326 prisoners
Self-harm: 9 Assaults: 3 Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary HMP Haverigg, an open Category D prison, maintains a safe and settled environment with very low levels of self-harm and violence. Despite significant staffing challenges, particularly in healthcare and offender management, the Board notes improvements in OMU staffing and highly regarded healthcare provision. Key concerns include the ineffective management of transfers from closed estates, inconsistencies across prisons, the need for enhanced IPP prisoner support, and persistent issues with prisoner property and communication from offender managers.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The ineffective management of prisoner transfers from Category C to Category D prisons, despite available spaces at Haverigg, missing an opportunity to ease pressure on the closed estate.
  • Apparent inconsistencies across prisons in areas such as victim support levy application, returns to closed establishments, discharges to no fixed abode, and permissible property items, causing confusion for prisoners.
  • The need for additional support from the Prison Service for the vulnerable cohort of IPP prisoners, who constitute over 30% of Haverigg's population.
  • A reduction in GP sessions and reliance on locums, placing considerable pressure on the healthcare service.
  • Persistent issues with prisoners' property going missing, particularly during transfers between establishments.
  • Delays and lack of proactive communication from the Offender Management Unit (OMU) and POMs, leading to prisoner frustrations regarding sentence management and ROTL access.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Drake Hall
Published 28 Mar 2023 · 275 prisoners
Self-harm: 180 Assaults: 33 Staff assaults: 7
AI-generated report summary Drake Hall generally provides a safe and humane environment, with commendable staff efforts and good healthcare provision. Key concerns persist regarding the unfit condition of two accommodation units, persistent issues with lost property on transfer, and challenges in education provision post-pandemic. The Board also highlights the difficulty in preparing women transferred close to their release dates for resettlement and issues with mental health staffing and low reporting of discrimination incidents.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, which are not fit for purpose and need replacing, a concern raised for nearly 20 years.
  • Delayed or lost property on transfer, a systemic issue across the prison service that causes unnecessary distress and is an increasing cause for concern.
  • Increasing numbers of women being transferred shortly before their release date, making it impossible to prepare them for resettlement.
  • The ongoing challenges in the provision of education since the pandemic, leading to low take-up and attendance.
  • Concerns that women do not feel comfortable submitting Discrimination Incident Report Forms (DIRFs), despite an excellent equalities structure.
  • The inability to recruit a trainee psychologist on site due to the absence of on-site supervision from a consultant psychologist, impacting women's mental wellbeing.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Deerbolt
Published 24 Mar 2023
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Deerbolt experienced significant challenges during the reporting year, primarily due to staff shortages which severely impacted the provision of purposeful activity and led to extensive lock-up times. Despite these difficulties, the IMB noted improvements in safety and morale towards the end of the period, driven by new management and increased staffing. Healthcare provision remained a strength, but concerns persist regarding regime restrictions, educational quality, and the effectiveness of key worker sessions.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • There is a lack of purposeful activity, with prisoners locked up for up to 22-23 hours a day.
  • Staff shortages at Deerbolt are undeniably to blame for regime restrictions.
  • Housing more complex prisoners with longer sentences and those up to age 29, with facilities tailored for 18-21 year olds, makes it difficult to meet diverse prisoner needs.
  • Some prisoners feel under threat due to debts or inter-gang rivalries.
  • The infrequent level of key worker sessions and low number of wellbeing checks remain a concern.
  • There are difficulties in organising transfers for complex needs prisoners to more suitable establishments, compounded by population pressures and a lack of mental health beds.
  • The education service focuses on quantity over quality, raising concerns about its rehabilitative impact.
  • The refurbishment of A, D, and F wings has been delayed, costs increased, and all three wings closed simultaneously.
  • I wing had only three working showers out of ten, with poor screening, although most were repaired.
  • J wing has up to 16 cells out of use, including the only wheelchair accessible cell, mainly due to water leaks and poor maintenance.
  • Most laundry equipment is old, and breakdowns are difficult to repair.
  • Prisoners have raised concerns about the quality and portion size of food, often supplementing meals with canteen orders.
  • Issues with catering orders continue, leading to late menu changes.
  • The new incentives scheme's three-month good behaviour period for enhanced status is a challenge for some prisoners.
  • There is an absence of complaint forms and IMB application forms on the wings.
  • Personal possessions do not always arrive with prisoners transferred from other establishments.
  • High vacancy rates due to long-term sickness in Humankind's DART team hinder group work sessions for drug and alcohol recovery.
  • Education provision is frequently cancelled due to staffing or accommodation issues.
  • Access to education and vocational training is limited, especially for prisoners aged 25+, with options unchanged despite the age range increase.
  • Vocational training equipment is underutilised due to lack of servicing/repair.
  • There is a persistent lack of dialogue between case managers and prison officers regarding prisoner sentence plans.
  • Accredited programmes are limited, with a long waiting list for Kaizen, and prisoners struggle to discuss this with POMs.
  • The 10-minute limit on telephone calls is a concern, particularly for those with children.
  • A large portion of IMB applications are requests for transfers closer to home.
  • More support for the management team is needed, including reviewing staff pay to be more competitive and improve retention.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Foston Hall
Published 23 Mar 2023 · 231 prisoners
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Foston Hall faced significant challenges in the reporting year, primarily due to acute staff shortages which severely impacted the regime, leading to frequent curtailments and long periods of cell confinement. Key concerns included high levels of self-harm and violence, inadequate accommodation, and slow progress in healthcare provision and resettlement outcomes. Despite these difficulties, the Board commended staff dedication and noted some improvements, such as the opening of better quality accommodation and enhanced chaplaincy services.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • High levels of self-harm and prisoner-on-prisoner violence remain serious concerns.
  • Acute staff shortages severely impact the regime, leading to frequent curtailments and long periods of cell confinement.
  • There is inadequate accommodation, particularly in D wing and CSU, and issues with slow repairs and access to laundry facilities.
  • Healthcare faces challenges with staff recruitment, missed appointments, and significant delays in mental health transfers to secure hospitals.
  • Progress on equalities and support for foreign national prisoners and those with protected characteristics is slow.
  • Education delivery and resettlement outcomes (employment, accommodation) are poor due to staff shortages and regime restrictions.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wayland
Published 17 Mar 2023
AI-generated report summary The IMB for HMP Wayland concludes that the prison continues to be failed by the Prison Service and the government across multiple areas, from infrastructure maintenance to adequate staffing and training. The report notes a decline in the quality and effectiveness of prisoner treatment, with key concerns including prisoner safety, deteriorating accommodation, and inadequate resettlement support. While some positive initiatives have begun, the Board finds that fundamental issues persist and require urgent, comprehensive intervention.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • A significant proportion of prisoners (30.5%) report feeling unsafe after reception, an increase from previous years.
  • The prison's basic accommodation and wider infrastructure are in accelerated decay, with conditions in some units bordering on inhumane due to non-functioning heating and windows.
  • Critical staffing shortages, high turnover, and a lack of experienced officers severely hinder effective prisoner management and rehabilitation, with training for new recruits being inadequate.
  • Prisoners express significant dissatisfaction with healthcare provision, citing extreme waiting times for GP appointments.
  • The prison is failing prisoners at almost every level in their progression towards successful resettlement, with 20% having no known discharge address.
  • The induction process for new prisoners is consistently reported as unhelpful, with 70% of respondents stating it did not meet their needs.
  • The new segregation unit remains unused due to procurement and technical issues, and plans lack adequate staffing to provide the necessary 'care' element.
  • Frequent prisoner property complaints persist due to inadequate management systems during reception, transfer, and cell clearances.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Elmley
Published 16 Mar 2023
Self-harm: 660 Assaults: 390
AI-generated report summary HMP Elmley, a local prison, navigated Covid disruptions to improve prisoner experience and reduce violence through increased key work and a young adult strategy. While the Board noted improvements in safety scrutiny, complaint resolution, and resettlement opportunities, significant concerns remain regarding the treatment and information provision for foreign national prisoners by the Home Office. Other challenges include the poor condition of the prison estate, persistent staffing shortages across key departments, and inadequate activity spaces impacting rehabilitation efforts.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Foreign national prisoners lack formal engagement from the Home Office, especially those on remand, who are left in limbo with limited access to immigration authorities.
  • Concerns about allocating funds for a new house block while the existing prison fabric urgently needs attention.
  • Insufficient activity spaces and skills-based tuition hinder purposeful activity and rehabilitation.
  • Underlying causes of self-harm are not adequately addressed (a repeated concern from the previous year).
  • Cells are in poor condition due to age and maintenance issues, making furniture and equipment replacement difficult and negatively impacting rehabilitation.
  • Staffing in the Offender Management Unit is severely reduced, leading to heavy caseloads, infrequent prisoner contact, and delays in offender assessments and HDC administration.
  • The reduced service at the visitors' centre, now run by Pact, threatens family contact and rehabilitation efforts.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Hewell
Published 15 Mar 2023 · 886 prisoners
Self-harm: 539
AI-generated report summary HMP Hewell, a Category B local prison, has shown continued progress in improving safety, cleanliness, and overall humane treatment. Positive developments include enhanced physical healthcare and the establishment of a mental health unit. However, the report highlights persistent challenges such as overcrowding, the poor physical condition of the estate, delays in court proceedings impacting remand prisoners, and slow implementation of a rehabilitative culture, alongside inadequate provision for prisoners with complex needs and disabilities.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Inadequate services for prisoners with severe mental health, psychological, or social needs, often leading to inappropriate accommodation in segregation.
  • The inhumane practice of cell sharing in cells designed for one, often with open toilets, necessitates capital investment to end.
  • Court delays contribute to an increased number of remanded prisoners and prolonged detention, impacting their entitlements and the prison regime.
  • A significant gap exists between national aspirations for resettlement and the reality of homelessness, poverty, and limited post-release support.
  • Insufficient funding for building improvements, particularly for prisoners with disabilities and accessibility needs.
  • A lack of embedded therapeutic interventions to address trauma, neurodiversity, and social/psychological problems among prisoners, hindering resettlement.
  • Healthcare contracts need review to ensure safe out-of-hours cover and reduce reliance on external services and escorts.
  • The intended culture change, including the key worker model and consistent staff-prisoner relationships, has not been fully embedded due to staffing and other operational issues.
  • Systemic issues with equality and diversity persist, evidenced by inadequate data, insufficient facilities for disabled prisoners, and limited support for foreign nationals and those with limited English.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Eastwood Park
Published 10 Mar 2023 · 246 prisoners
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Eastwood Park faced a challenging reporting year (Nov 2021 – Oct 2022), marked by critical staffing shortages (17.5% below target), two deaths in custody, and exceptionally high self-harm levels, leading the IMB to no longer consider it safe for all women. The prison struggled with an increasing number of women with complex mental health needs, exacerbated by inadequate facilities and a lack of external secure placements, resulting in extended periods of segregation for some. Despite these issues, the Board commended staff professionalism, welcomed the new ONE women’s centre, and noted the prison’s high functional skills achievements.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Staffing levels are 17.5% below target, contributing to an unsafe environment and frequent cancellation of essential regime activities.
  • There are exceptionally high levels of self-harm and two deaths in custody, highlighting severe mental health issues among prisoners.
  • The prison struggles to manage women with severe mental health and complex needs due to unsuitable facilities (e.g., Residential Unit 4) and a critical shortage of external secure mental health beds, leading to containment rather than treatment.
  • A prisoner with an acquired brain injury was continuously segregated for 1,484 days due to the absence of appropriate secure facilities for women with such injuries.
  • Ongoing delays in the construction of the new activities centre are hindering rehabilitation and purposeful activity provision.
  • Prisoners face lengthy and uncomfortable daily journeys to court in PECS transport with unsuitable sanitary facilities.
  • The national instruction to end team-based rostering led to officer resignations and a breakdown of staff-prisoner relationships, further impacting key work and staff experience.
  • Lengthy delays in convening complex case boards mean transgender prisoners are held in segregation for extended periods.
  • Inadequate property management continues to be a major source of prisoner complaints and distress.
  • There is a lack of suitable accommodation and facilities for older prisoners and those with disabilities, alongside a lack of clear action on disproportionality in complaints from minority ethnic groups.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Feltham
Published 9 Mar 2023 · 348 prisoners
Self-harm: 160 Assaults: 135 Staff assaults: 44
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Feltham reported a population of 348 young people and young adults at the end of the reporting year. While physical health and general well-being are met, the prison struggles with serious long-term mental health issues. Safety remains a significant concern, with a notable increase in violence and use of force incidents post-Covid, alongside challenges related to staffing, disrepair of the estate, and the regime's adaptation to larger groups. The IMB identified several key concerns, including inadequate time out of cell, insufficient support for looked after children, and issues with prison fabric and gang culture.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Time out of room (TOR) measurement and ensuring purposeful activity increases.
  • Lack of regular statutory visits and inadequate support for 'looked after children' (LACs) on Feltham A, and concerns about LACs entering custody with serious charges.
  • Persistent disrepair of prison fabric, including workshops, leaking roofs, and inadequate ventilation preventing in-room showers.
  • Increased violence and safety concerns post-Covid, particularly the risk of gang culture mirroring outside prison.
  • Delays in the Social Pantry project, impacting staff welfare and catering training for young adults.
  • Significant issues with IMB members' access to prison IT facilities, hindering monitoring efficiency.
  • Poor visibility of the IMB on in-cell laptops, with inadequate information and lack of encouragement for direct prisoner contact.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Brinsford
Published 8 Mar 2023
Self-harm: 336 Assaults: 279 Staff assaults: 33
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Brinsford is deemed a safe prison with generally fair treatment of prisoners, showing reduced levels of self-harm and violence. Key concerns include an unfit education contract, a lack of purposeful activity, significant delays in transferring mentally ill prisoners to specialist care, and the poor condition of the estate and IT infrastructure. The key worker scheme also requires improvement to return to pre-pandemic effectiveness.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The excessive time prisoners held under Immigration Act powers are kept before transfer to an IRC or home country.
  • Persistent delays in transferring vulnerable prisoners with mental health problems to specialist care.
  • The education contract is unfit for purpose, and insufficient effort is made to motivate prisoner attendance.
  • Poor management of prisoner property, leading to complaints and compensation claims.
  • Outdated and failing IT infrastructure and the generally poor, outdated condition of the prison estate.
  • Insufficient and unmeaningful activity places, hindering resettlement efforts.
  • High number of prisoner transfers between establishments, making gang management difficult and hindering urgent moves.
  • The key worker scheme has not returned to pre-pandemic levels and requires improvement and staff training.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wormwood Scrubs
Published 7 Mar 2023 · 1,087 prisoners
Self-harm: 408 Assaults: 201 Staff assaults: 93
AI-generated report summary HMP Wormwood Scrubs experienced a slow return to normal regime during the reporting year ending May 2022, impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and persistent staff shortages. The Board noted some improvements in reception and healthcare provision but raised significant concerns regarding the poor quality of food, high number of cancelled hospital appointments, and long delays for mental health transfers. Key challenges included disproportionate use of force against Black prisoners, a largely closed library and depleted education, and a patchy key worker scheme.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Failure to provide key information in prisoners' own language in reception, a repeated concern.
  • The poor quality, quantity, and distribution method of food, leading to significant waste and prisoner dissatisfaction.
  • Persistent staff shortages hindering the key worker scheme and contributing to a patchy, restricted regime, with some prisoners spending up to 23 hours in their cells.
  • Significant issues in healthcare including cancelled hospital appointments due to escort shortages, long waits for mental health referrals, and unacceptable delays in transferring mentally ill patients.
  • The continued closure of the library and the severe depletion of face-to-face education throughout the reporting year.
  • Disproportionate use of force against Black prisoners and concerns about racial inequality in job allocation and the ineffectiveness of the DIRF system.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wakefield
Published 3 Mar 2023 · 717 prisoners
Self-harm: 444 Assaults: 51 Staff assaults: 57
AI-generated report summary HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison for men, is generally considered safe but experienced increases in assaults and use of force. Key concerns include persistent issues with mental health transfers, a lack of robust healthcare complaints processes, and the absence of in-cell telephony. The Board also highlighted unsatisfactory property management and insufficient purposeful activity for prisoners.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The IMB raised concerns about the continuing challenges with the assessment and transfer of prisoners with serious mental health and personality disorders to hospital.
  • The lack of in-cell telephony significantly impacted prisoners' ability to maintain contact with family and access support, particularly during COVID-19 restrictions.
  • The Board found the healthcare complaints procedure to be insufficiently robust and opaque, hindering effective monitoring of contractor performance.
  • Unsatisfactory management of prisoner property led to significant frustration and compensation claims.
  • Concerns were raised regarding the low engagement of prisoners in purposeful activity and education opportunities.
  • The paper-based ACCT system was identified as a barrier to efficient and timely sharing of crucial safety-related data between prison and healthcare staff.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Bure
Published 28 Feb 2023 · 619 prisoners
Self-harm: 347 Assaults: 20 Staff assaults: 10
AI-generated report summary HMP Bure maintained fair and humane treatment for prisoners and managed the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, with high vaccination rates and low violence. However, persistent issues such as double cells, delayed maintenance for the heating system and solar panels, and the absence of in-cell telephony remain. The Board also highlighted concerns about IPP prisoners, the lack of palliative care, and the unfunded resettlement provision.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The continued use of cramped and unsuitable double cells, particularly on residential unit 7, preventing the prison from operating at nominal accommodation.
  • The ongoing plight of IPP prisoners held long beyond their tariffs, with the Board questioning the burden of proof for their release.
  • The heating system on residential unit 7 remains unrepaired despite being reported last year and funding previously allocated.
  • Solar panels installed on the kitchen and residential unit 7 have been inoperable since early 2022, preventing energy savings.
  • The absence of in-cell telephony, a long-standing concern, restricts private conversations and call times for prisoners.
  • Inequitable national pay rates for prisoners, which differ across establishments while canteen costs are uniform.
  • Only four accessible cells are available, making basic access challenging for disabled prisoners in standard cells.
  • Delays in prisoners receiving medication and attending medical appointments due to late wing roll checks.
  • The lack of palliative and end-of-life care facilities for an aging prisoner population.
  • Persistent delays in offending behaviour programme delivery, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
  • HMP Bure's unfunded role in resettlement, leading to releases into the community due to a lack of suitable places elsewhere.
  • A limited resettlement pathway specifically for men convicted of sexual offences.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
The Verne
Published 22 Feb 2023 · 599 prisoners
Self-harm: 85 Assaults: 29 Staff assaults: 2
AI-generated report summary HMP The Verne, an adult training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, has largely restored its 'core day' regime following COVID-19, maintaining a safe environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and high-quality healthcare. However, the report highlights critical issues, particularly regarding the inadequate 24-hour social care and onsite hospital provision for its growing elderly and frail population. Significant understaffing in the Offender Management Unit continues to undermine resettlement efforts for the substantial number of prisoners released directly from this training prison, alongside concerns about low prisoner pay and a third of the population lacking purposeful activity.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Lack of 24-hour social care provision and inadequate care packages for frail elderly prisoners, particularly those with incontinence.
  • Serious understaffing of the Offender Management Unit, significantly impacting resettlement provision.
  • Absence of a community hospital or equivalent onsite facility for elderly prisoners, leading to cancelled external appointments and strain on escort staff.
  • Unsatisfactory resettlement provision, including a lack of dedicated funding, for prisoners released directly from this training prison.
  • Approximately one-third of the prisoner population is not engaged in purposeful activity.
  • Low prisoner pay compared to other prisons, causing discontent.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
East Sutton Park
Published 15 Feb 2023
AI-generated report summary This report for HMP East Sutton Park covers the period from November 2021 to October 2022. The Board finds the open women's prison to be largely safe and well-run, with good staff-resident relationships and effective resettlement efforts, particularly in securing external employment. Key concerns include the low population numbers hindering full use of capacity, residents arriving with insufficient time for resettlement, and the need to review fire evacuation procedures.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The number of women entering the prison is below capacity, limiting the number who can benefit from its resettlement preparation.
  • Many residents arrive with too little time remaining on their sentences to fully engage with and benefit from the resettlement programme.
  • Other prisons are slow or fail to respond to complaints made by ESP residents against them.
  • The fire contingency plan requires urgent review and careful monitoring to ensure its effectiveness across all areas of the prison.
  • The canteen list needs more regular review to ensure it remains relevant to the needs of residents.
  • There is a need to train more Listeners due to several existing Listeners leaving the prison during 2022.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Risley
Published 9 Feb 2023 · 1,014 prisoners
Self-harm: 405 Assaults: 116 Staff assaults: 48
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Chelmsford
Published 7 Feb 2023
Self-harm: 836 Assaults: 241 Staff assaults: 177
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wetherby
Published 2 Feb 2023 · 156 prisoners
Assaults: 215 Staff assaults: 100
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Cookham Wood
Published 1 Feb 2023 · 82 prisoners
Self-harm: 35 Assaults: 282 Staff assaults: 130
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Channings Wood
Published 23 Jan 2023 · 700 prisoners
Self-harm: 306 Assaults: 74 Staff assaults: 29
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Dovegate
Published 20 Jan 2023 · 1,210 prisoners
Self-harm: 650 Assaults: 145 Staff assaults: 40
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Werrington
Published 17 Jan 2023 · 59 prisoners
Self-harm: 37 Assaults: 105 Staff assaults: 124
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Bristol
Published 10 Jan 2023 · 494 prisoners
Self-harm: 459 Assaults: 195 Staff assaults: 75
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Ashfield
Published 9 Jan 2023 · 400 prisoners
Self-harm: 157 Assaults: 15 Staff assaults: 3
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Dartmoor
Published 6 Jan 2023 · 635 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Bronzefield
Published 5 Jan 2023 · 480 prisoners
Self-harm: 2,856 Assaults: 168
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Hatfield
Published 19 Dec 2022
Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Bedford
Published 13 Dec 2022
Self-harm: 367 Assaults: 146 Staff assaults: 184
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Altcourse
Published 9 Dec 2022
Assaults: 261 Staff assaults: 67
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Bullingdon
Published 2 Dec 2022 · 1,062 prisoners
Self-harm: 889
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Sudbury
Published 1 Dec 2022
Self-harm: 4 Assaults: 5 Staff assaults: 6
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Dover
Published 30 Nov 2022
Self-harm: 1 Assaults: 3
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Buckley Hall
Published 25 Nov 2022
Self-harm: 132 Assaults: 12
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Thameside
Published 24 Nov 2022 · 1,300 prisoners
Self-harm: 501 Assaults: 273 Staff assaults: 168
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns

Establishment types

Across this source collection
Read the chart values
IMB reports by establishment type
Establishment typeReports
Prison789
IRC22

Reports by year

Across this source collection
Read the chart values
IMB reports by year
YearReports
2020129
2021126
2022132
2023134
2024133
2025128
202629

Key findings

Patterns across the corpus

99% of IMB reports flag key concerns. Independent monitors cover 171 establishments across prisons, immigration removal centres and secure training centres.