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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.

Portland
Published 23 Nov 2022
Self-harm: 262 Assaults: 102
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Stocken
Published 15 Nov 2022 · 1,019 prisoners
Self-harm: 232 Assaults: 51 Staff assaults: 42
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Stoke Heath
Published 8 Nov 2022 · 782 prisoners
Self-harm: 181 Assaults: 48 Staff assaults: 8
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Swinfen Hall
Published 3 Nov 2022 · 583 prisoners
Assaults: 232 Staff assaults: 79
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Birmingham
Published 2 Nov 2022 · 977 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Whitemoor
Published 1 Nov 2022 · 316 prisoners
Self-harm: 151 Assaults: 22 Staff assaults: 27
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Standford Hill
Published 27 Oct 2022 · 499 prisoners
Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Preston
Published 26 Oct 2022 · 670 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Warren Hill
Published 24 Oct 2022
Self-harm: 26 Assaults: 5 Staff assaults: 1
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Belmarsh
Published 20 Oct 2022 · 650 prisoners
Self-harm: 360
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wymott
Published 20 Oct 2022 · 1,129 prisoners
Self-harm: 286 Assaults: 35 Staff assaults: 14
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Isle of Wight
Published 18 Oct 2022 · 991 prisoners
Self-harm: 1,309 Assaults: 59 Staff assaults: 56
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2021 PRISON Concerns
Winchester
Published 17 Oct 2022 · 500 prisoners
Self-harm: 607 Assaults: 167 Staff assaults: 170
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Coldingley
Published 13 Oct 2022 · 471 prisoners
Self-harm: 100 Assaults: 34 Staff assaults: 46
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wealstun
Published 12 Oct 2022 · 800 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Downview
Published 10 Oct 2022 · 265 prisoners
Self-harm: 752 Assaults: 14 Staff assaults: 32
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Littlehey
Published 9 Oct 2022 · 1,158 prisoners
Self-harm: 452 Assaults: 42 Staff assaults: 24
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Dungavel House IRC
Published 5 Oct 2022 · 14 prisoners
Self-harm: 3
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2021 IRC Concerns
Peterborough (Men)
Published 28 Sep 2022 · 824 prisoners
Self-harm: 452 Assaults: 175 Staff assaults: 77
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Peterborough (Women)
Published 28 Sep 2022
Self-harm: 1,154 Assaults: 29 Staff assaults: 43
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Wandsworth
Published 27 Sep 2022 · 1,385 prisoners
Self-harm: 771 Assaults: 390 Staff assaults: 376
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Woodhill
Published 22 Sep 2022 · 503 prisoners
Assaults: 195 Staff assaults: 221
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Stafford
Published 21 Sep 2022 · 741 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Usk and Prescoed
Published 20 Sep 2022 · 430 prisoners
Self-harm: 13 Assaults: 10 Staff assaults: 3
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in England
Published 12 Sep 2022
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2021 PRISON Concerns
Whatton
Published 6 Sep 2022 · 791 prisoners
Self-harm: 302 Assaults: 34
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Berwyn
Published 5 Sep 2022
Self-harm: 1,638 Assaults: 405 Staff assaults: 242
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Rochester
Published 1 Sep 2022 · 668 prisoners
Assaults: 133
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Pentonville
Published 24 Aug 2022 · 1,043 prisoners
Self-harm: 564 Assaults: 327 Staff assaults: 201
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Styal
Published 23 Aug 2022 · 373 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Manchester
Published 19 Aug 2022 · 676 prisoners
AI-generated report summary 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.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • 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.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Swansea
Published 17 Aug 2022
Self-harm: 228 Staff assaults: 26
AI-generated report summary The IMB report for HMP Swansea (June 2020 – May 2021) notes a safe prison with low violence, reflecting good staff-prisoner relationships despite the COVID-19 restricted regime. Key concerns include insufficient mental health and dental provision, the negative impact of long-term regime restrictions, and challenges related to out-of-area prisoners and foreign nationals. The Board highlights efforts by staff to maintain care during the pandemic while advocating for improved resettlement support, especially concerning accommodation and family contact.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Length of time prisoners were on remand.
  • Insufficient mental health and dental provision.
  • Detrimental effect of the restricted regime on wellbeing and resettlement.
  • Influx of ‘out of area’ prisoners placing pressure on accommodation.
  • Concerns regarding foreign nationals remaining in custody post-sentence and Home Office support.
  • Poor disability access and antiquated heating/ventilation in the prison estate.
  • Lack of sustainable accommodation for prisoners upon release.
  • Restricted family contact due to absence of in-cell phones.
  • Inconsistent monitoring of CSU admissions and GOOD reviews by the IMB.
Report year 2021 PRISON Concerns
New Hall
Published 16 Aug 2022 · 324 prisoners
Self-harm: 965 Assaults: 48 Staff assaults: 90
AI-generated report summary HMP New Hall operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with staff commended for their professionalism in maintaining safety. While safety metrics showed a notable increase in self-harm and use of force incidents, many were attributed to a small number of individuals and Covid-related confinement. Key areas for development include estate maintenance on Rivendell Unit and improving the quality of CSIP investigations, alongside addressing consistent prisoner complaints regarding healthcare and property.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Rivendell Unit requires major work on windows and heating, impacting conditions for prisoners.
  • Weaknesses persist in the quality of investigations and plans within the Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) process, despite a reduction in violence.
  • Property issues, particularly losses in transit and a lack of staff understanding, continue to generate significant complaints.
  • Healthcare complaints consistently account for one-third of all applications to the IMB, indicating ongoing concerns despite high satisfaction rates.
  • The practice of sending women from court to New Hall as a "place of safety" and subsequent escalations to NHSE raises concerns about appropriate placements.
  • The incentives scheme needs re-energising, as there is currently little incentive for prisoners to achieve enhanced status.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Send
Published 16 Aug 2022 · 182 prisoners
Self-harm: 837 Assaults: 9 Staff assaults: 19
AI-generated report summary HMP Send is a closed prison for adult women with an operational capacity of 191, holding 182 prisoners at the end of the reporting year, including 63 ISPs. The Board considers Send a safe prison but highlights a significant increase in self-harm incidents (837) and one death in custody. Key concerns include the need for specialist mental health provision for prolific self-harmers, slow progress on digital in-cell technology, and persistent staffing shortages.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The government plan for 500 new prison places for women contradicts the female offender strategy.
  • Provision should be made in appropriate secure specialist mental health facilities for very challenging women with complex mental health needs and prolific self-harm.
  • The unjust detention of one IPP prisoner, 11 years past her original short tariff date.
  • Lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation.
  • HMPPS to speed up the plans to roll out digital in-cell technology.
  • Provision of training to address specific needs of female prisoners (trauma-informed care, de-escalation, distraction).
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Lincoln
Published 14 Aug 2022 · 650 prisoners
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Lincoln is regarded as a well-managed Category B local prison, successfully maintaining a humane regime and significantly reducing violence and self-harm despite operational challenges from its Victorian buildings and the pandemic. The Board noted positive developments in healthcare and staff-prisoner relations, alongside efforts to improve the estate. However, significant concerns persist regarding slow progress on repairs, the high incidence of homelessness among discharged prisoners, and the lack of specialist mental health services for personality disorders.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Tardy repair and maintenance jobs across the establishment.
  • High level of homelessness for discharged prisoners.
  • A significant group of IPP prisoners held beyond their tariff date.
  • Absence of a comprehensive and readily accessible personality disorder treatment service.
  • Limited disabled access to all parts of the establishment due to building structures.
  • Inadequate provision for prisoners needing education in social and inter-personal skills due to Covid restrictions.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Scotland and Northern Ireland Short-Term Holding Facilities
Published 11 Aug 2022
Self-harm: 2
AI-generated report summary This IMB annual report for Scotland and Northern Ireland's Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) highlights significant welfare concerns for the reporting year ending January 2022. Key issues include widespread disability access shortfalls across the estate, an unacceptable increase in extended detentions in unsuitable airport holding rooms, and the unresolved problem of managing detainees' prescription medication. The Board also notes long-overdue facility upgrades at Larne House and inadequate ventilation systems, particularly concerning Covid-19 risks.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Most HRs and the residential STHF do not meet current national disability access standards, with particular concerns about wheelchair accessibility and facilities for disabled persons.
  • A significant increase in the number of people detained for more than eight hours, and sometimes overnight, in airport HRs that are unsuitable for extended stays due to cramped size, lack of fresh air, and absence of showering facilities.
  • The Home Office has not resolved the critical issue of managing prescription medication for detainees, posing potential serious health risks.
  • Planned building alterations at Larne House RSTHF to provide separate, dignified facilities for women remain long overdue and incomplete.
  • Ventilation systems in many HRs and the RSTHF are inadequate, with a lack of natural light and air circulation, raising concerns about health and wellbeing, particularly regarding Covid-19.
  • Prestwick airport's holding room is considered totally unsuitable due to inaccessibility, lack of CCTV, and no internal toilet facilities.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Erlestoke
Published 8 Aug 2022 · 443 prisoners
Self-harm: 358 Assaults: 78 Staff assaults: 71
AI-generated report summary The report covers HMP Erlestoke from April 2021 to March 2022, a period significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions that limited out-of-cell time. Despite challenges like staff shortages and high turnover, the Board found prisoners to be relatively safe, though violence increased and self-harm remained high. Key concerns include delays in transfers, inadequate mental health provision, and the slow pace of infrastructure improvements.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Delay in transfer to category D prisons.
  • The need to address the number of IPP prisoners long over tariff.
  • The chronic national shortage of accommodation for prisoners with complex mental health needs.
  • The need for ministerial review of the daily food budget allowance, which has not increased for five years.
  • Significant delays in completing the replacement of residential wings, impacting the progression regime.
  • The poor IT infrastructure in healthcare, hindering access to medical records and medical input at first ACCT reviews.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
North Sea Camp
Published 7 Aug 2022 · 264 prisoners
Self-harm: 1 Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 1
AI-generated report summary HMP North Sea Camp is an open Category D male resettlement prison. This report covers the period from March 2021 to February 2022, during which the prison managed a return to a more normal regime following Covid-19 restrictions, demonstrating strong rehabilitative efforts and good healthcare provision. Key concerns persist regarding end-of-life care, inadequate accommodation and accessibility for disabled prisoners, delays in offender management, and issues with contracted maintenance and property transfers.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • There is no suitable facility for end-of-life care or on-site residential healthcare for prisoners with chronic and serious health issues.
  • The decommissioned Harrison and Llewellin accommodation units lack a replacement plan, and the Selby units are temporary.
  • Double rooms in main accommodation units are inadequately sized, often not complying with PSI for two occupants.
  • Prisoners using wheelchairs face difficulties with travel and overnight accommodation for ROTL, delaying their progression.
  • The Offender Management Unit (OMU) and Community Offender Managers (COMs) cause delays in information provision, OASys assessments, and ROTL paperwork, potentially prolonging sentences.
  • Concerns exist regarding the time taken for routine maintenance jobs and issues with the transfer of prisoners’ property by contracted services, with a lack of penalties for contract failures.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Ranby
Published 4 Aug 2022
Self-harm: 258 Assaults: 152 Staff assaults: 41
AI-generated report summary HMP Ranby, a Category C male training prison, concluded its reporting year ending March 2022 with a CNA of 892 and operational capacity of 1,025. The Board noted improved safety statistics, but highlighted significant concerns regarding prolonged waits for mental health transfers, the effective closure of the resettlement department, and persistent issues with property management for transferring prisoners. The regime was heavily impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, limiting purposeful activity and gym use, while the IMB itself faced operational challenges due to staffing and equipment shortages.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Prisoners with serious mental health issues are being held too long awaiting transfer to specialist facilities.
  • HMP Ranby is receiving prisoners with short sentences, diverting it from its training prison purpose and making it difficult to offer appropriate courses.
  • The management of prisoners’ property continues to be a considerable concern, with transfers often arriving without all property and issues with the recording system.
  • The resettlement department ceased to operate, significantly impacting support for prisoners nearing release.
  • Lack of accommodation in the category D estate prevents suitable transfers for prisoners.
  • The IMB itself experienced significant operational difficulties due to the lack of a dedicated Clerk and functioning office equipment.
  • Cell sharing remains a concern.
  • Staff communication, cell clearing, and canteen via DHL continue to be problematic.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Low Newton
Published 3 Aug 2022 · 242 prisoners
Self-harm: 427 Assaults: 21 Staff assaults: 52
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Low Newton provides a generally safe and humane environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and a supportive regime, despite Covid-19 challenges. The Board commended staff commitment to safety and highlighted positive outcomes in education and various support initiatives. However, significant concerns remain regarding the national shortage of secure mental health places for women, the effectiveness of resettlement accommodation, and the consistent implementation of key worker schemes and use of body-worn cameras.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Continued inappropriate placement of women with severe mental health issues in prison due to a national shortage of secure psychiatric unit places.
  • Ineffectiveness of current contracts for the resettlement of prisoners without permanent homes upon release.
  • The CCTV system throughout the prison is not always adequate to record incidents in sufficient detail.
  • Inconsistent delivery of the key worker scheme targets.
  • Inconsistent use of body worn cameras during use of force incidents.
  • Scarcity of suitable accommodation for women on discharge, leading to licence failures and reoffending.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Maidstone
Published 2 Aug 2022 · 545 prisoners
Self-harm: 143 Assaults: 53
AI-generated report summary HMP Maidstone, an exclusively foreign national Category C prison, operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions during the reporting year ending February 2022, resulting in a largely restrictive regime. Despite this, the Board found the prison generally safe, with good staff-prisoner relationships and declining self-harm and violence. However, key concerns persist regarding the inhumane impact of the restrictive regime, inadequate collaboration between HMPPS and HOIE affecting foreign national prisoners' immigration status and resettlement, persistent property management issues, and ongoing maintenance challenges within the aging estate.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The restrictive regime, including long periods of cell confinement, is considered inhumane and problematic for health and rehabilitation.
  • Persistent lack of effective collaboration between HMPPS and HOIE, leading to poor communication, increased IS91 detentions, and Category D prisoners being held inappropriately in a Category C establishment.
  • Insufficient access to education, vocational training, and work, impacting prisoner progression and resettlement.
  • A deficient property management framework resulting in significant loss of prisoner property, particularly during transfers.
  • The ongoing poor state of the establishment's repair, including issues with heating, lighting, hot water, and inadequate shower facilities, which have not improved.
  • Delays in accessing healthcare services, including medications, external hospital appointments, and transfers to specialist mental health units.
  • A serious lack of recreational facilities and upgraded internet bandwidth, hindering purposeful activity and family contact.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Oakwood
Published 2 Aug 2022 · 2,048 prisoners
Assaults: 28 Staff assaults: 23
AI-generated report summary HMP Oakwood has faced challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime, but the Board commends staff and management for their commitment and efforts in maintaining safety and humane treatment. Key concerns include persistent delays in transfers to mental health facilities and Category D prisons, a poorly regarded education service, and issues with prisoner property and the complaints system. The Board also highlights a significant decline in successful accommodation referrals for released prisoners.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Persistent delays in transferring prisoners to external mental health facilities and Category D open prisons.
  • Ongoing national issues with the transfer of prisoner property across the estate and within Oakwood, including after cell searches.
  • Concerns regarding the quality, quantity, and variety of food, servery hygiene, and equipment repairs.
  • The education service is poorly regarded by prisoners, with issues in communication and course access.
  • Problems with the prisoner complaints system, including unclear guidance, unlabelled response letters, and inaccessible healthcare complaint boxes.
  • The new resettlement accommodation support from Nacro is significantly less effective than previous provision.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Rye Hill
Published 1 Aug 2022 · 616 prisoners
Self-harm: 240 Assaults: 4
AI-generated report summary HMP Rye Hill adapted its regime throughout the year due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, maintaining a safe and secure environment with reductions in self-harm and violence. The Board commends the prison's communication strategy and staff efforts, but highlights significant concerns regarding IPP prisoner progression, end-of-life care procedures, and the lack of specialist resettlement support for sex offenders released directly from the prison. Healthcare provision faces challenges with a pending change of provider and long waiting times for care assessments.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Progress for the IPP cohort remains a significant concern across the estate.
  • Difficulties persist in arranging appropriate end-of-life care and compassionate release, impacting Rye Hill's older population disproportionately.
  • The preparation for release path, including transfers to lower category prisons, frequently does not happen in practice for sexual offenders, leading to release without specialist 'through the gate' support.
  • Issues arise from changes to in-possession property rules, causing unfairness due to items being disallowed without explanation or transition.
  • There is a need for refresher training for key workers once regimes are fully reopened.
  • Prisoners desire a specific appeal form for recategorisation decisions instead of using the general Comp1 process.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Liverpool
Published 28 Jul 2022 · 800 prisoners
Assaults: 91 Staff assaults: 43
AI-generated report summary HMP Liverpool operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions in 2021, leading to prisoners spending only one hour a day out of cell, though the environment remained calm. While healthcare and education were maintained at appropriate levels, significant concerns persisted regarding the holding of mentally ill prisoners in unsuitable conditions and the lack of progress in engaging all prisoners in purposeful activity. The Board also highlighted issues with the use of body-worn cameras, prisoner property management, and the effectiveness of the new resettlement contractor.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Insufficient use of body-worn cameras by staff during incidents (49% activation rate).
  • Seriously mentally ill prisoners waiting too long for transfer to secure mental health units and being held inappropriately in the CSU.
  • Ongoing issues with the management and transfer of prisoner property, leading to complaints and compensation claims.
  • Lack of significant progress in engaging all prisoners in full-time purposeful activity due to Covid restrictions and workshop development needs.
  • Ineffectiveness of the new resettlement contractor (Seetec) leading to last-minute issues with housing and resettlement planning for releasing prisoners.
  • Rubbish accumulating in gullies around I wing, linked to drone activity.
Report year 2021 PRISON Concerns
Moorland
Published 27 Jul 2022 · 915 prisoners
Self-harm: 385 Assaults: 60 Staff assaults: 24
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Moorland, a Category C resettlement prison, reported a population of 915 against a reduced operational capacity of 964 for the year ending February 2022. The report noted positive trends with reduced self-harm and violence incidents but highlighted significant concerns regarding the treatment and progression of IPP prisoners and persistent delays in mental health transfers. Staffing shortages affected key worker provision and programme delivery, while long waiting times for dental care were also an issue.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Delays in transferring mentally ill prisoners to psychiatric hospitals due to a national shortage of beds.
  • A profound sense of helplessness and hopelessness among IPP prisoners due to lack of progression, clear action plans, and specific support.
  • Significant backlog in the provision of offending behaviour programmes, hindering progression towards safe release for many prisoners.
  • The failure to consistently provide meaningful key worker sessions due to staffing shortages and the limited availability of officers.
  • Extremely long waiting lists for dental care (up to a year) and frequent cancellations of specialist pain clinic appointments.
  • Reduced educational and employment opportunities, often part-time, with limited vocational qualifications available.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Onley
Published 26 Jul 2022 · 650 prisoners
Self-harm: 227 Assaults: 47 Staff assaults: 61
AI-generated report summary HMP Onley, a Category C prison, operated under pandemic restrictions for the reporting year ending March 2022, with an average population of 650. Despite staff shortages and challenges in regime delivery, the prison maintained stability and reported no deaths in custody. Key concerns highlighted include persistent delays in prisoner transfers, insufficient access to offending behaviour programmes, ongoing issues with property management, and a need for improved mental health support and estate maintenance. The Board also noted challenges with food provision and medication access.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Pressing need for increased capacity in Category D prisons, leading to Category D prisoners remaining at Onley.
  • Shortage of officers and probation staff, impacting recruitment and retention.
  • Delays in moving non-category C prisoners (C to B in segregation, C to D for open conditions).
  • Lack of access to offending behaviour programmes, hindering progression and reoffending risk reduction.
  • Significant problems with prisoner property management, causing distress.
  • Poor state of windows in older parts of the prison affecting decency standards.
  • Delay in the arrival and operationalisation of the Enhanced Gate Security (EGS) bag scanner.
  • Complaints about food quality, small portions, and lack of wing cooking facilities.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Nottingham
Published 25 Jul 2022 · 900 prisoners
Self-harm: 869 Assaults: 262 Staff assaults: 89
AI-generated report summary HMP Nottingham operated under pandemic restrictions for most of the reporting year, gradually easing, with effective governance despite management flux. While self-harm incidents decreased, violence between prisoners increased significantly. Key concerns include the ongoing situation for IPP prisoners, the lack of separation for remand and convicted prisoners, and inadequate mental health facilities, alongside regime restrictions and low education attendance.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Address the ongoing situation in relation to IPP prisoners who are many years beyond their minimum term.
  • The required separation of remand and convicted prisoners is widely ignored and needs structural attention, especially after a decision to change was reversed.
  • There was a concerning rise in violence between prisoners (15.7% increase) during the reporting year.
  • Allocation of in-patient mental health facilities does not meet prisoners' needs, often leading to extended segregation periods for mentally unwell individuals.
  • Unresolved issues with cells being too hot or too cold persist from the previous year, causing discomfort for prisoners.
  • Low attendance rates in education, with only 51% of available places attended at one point, impacting progression.
  • Foreign nationals awaiting deportation experience distressing delays and lack of contact with immigration/Home Office staff.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Swaleside
Published 19 Jul 2022 · 1,038 prisoners
Self-harm: 860
AI-generated report summary HMP Swaleside experienced a challenging year (May 2021 - April 2022), marked by severe staff shortages, a restricted regime due to Covid-19, and a high number of deaths in custody and self-harm incidents. The Board highlighted significant concerns regarding staffing, the impact of new prisoner allocations, and the lack of essential equipment like body-worn cameras. Positive developments included excellent education provision, effective outreach services, and improvements in discrimination incident reporting, though overall challenges to prisoner welfare and safety persist.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • The continuing low numbers of staff and inability to recruit, severely impacting prisoner well-being and regime provision.
  • The number of deaths in custody during the year, requiring a national investigation.
  • The unacceptably long periods some prisoners spend in the Care, Separation and Reintegration Unit (CSRU).
  • The detrimental impact of the new prisoner flow and allocation system, mixing young, short-sentence prisoners with older, long-term residents.
  • The lack of working body-worn cameras for operational staff.
  • The continued reliance of HMP Standford Hill on Swaleside's kitchen, causing major issues and overstretching resources.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Thorn Cross
Published 18 Jul 2022
Self-harm: 1 Assaults: 1 Staff assaults: 3
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Thorn Cross experienced a challenging year due to the pandemic and staffing issues but maintained a safe and humane environment. The Board found the prison's rehabilitative culture and healthcare provision to be strong, with positive staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include budget pressures, delays in high-risk transfers, persistent property issues, and the need to improve data collection on protected characteristics and reduce absconds.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Ensuring the prison budget keeps pace with inflationary pressures.
  • Undue delays caused by ministerial oversight of high-risk prisoner transfers.
  • Continuing issues with missing property during transfers.
  • Lack of decent fire-retardant seating for prisoners' rooms.
  • Sending prisons failing to complete prisoner records fully.
  • The need to reduce the increasing number of absconds.
  • Insufficient analysis of prison activity data by protected characteristics.
  • Mandatory drug testing remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
Report year 2022 PRISON Concerns
Norwich
Published 12 Jul 2022 · 710 prisoners
Self-harm: 181
AI-generated report summary HMP/YOI Norwich faced significant challenges in 2021-2022 due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and chronic staff shortages, impacting regime, safety, and humane treatment. Despite dedicated local leadership and staff efforts, the prison grappled with high self-harm incidents, violence, and inadequate ACCT management. Key issues highlighted include overcrowding, dilapidated facilities, insufficient rehabilitative programmes for long-term prisoners, and concerns regarding the detention of individuals with severe mental health needs and foreign nationals past their sentences.
AI-generated summary of key concerns
  • Persistent staff shortages leading to curtailed regimes and safety risks.
  • High rates of self-harm and violence, exacerbated by inadequate ACCT management and training.
  • Overcrowding and dilapidated estate infrastructure, including issues with cleanliness, basic equipment, and fire safety.
  • Inhumane treatment concerns for new arrivals, those with severe mental health issues, and foreign nationals held past sentence expiry.
  • Lack of rehabilitative programmes for long-term and IPP prisoners, alongside insufficient funding for increased prisoner numbers.
  • Difficulties with property management, access to healthcare (dental, GP, mental health transfers), and communication for non-English speakers.
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
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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.