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IMB Annual Reports

780 reports 170 establishments 768 with key concerns

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

Key findings

Patterns across the corpus

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

Annual reports

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2021 PRISON Concerns Thameside
Published 10 Nov 2021 · 1,188 prisoners
Self-harm: 570 Assaults: 180 Staff assaults: 225
HMP Thameside operated under a Covid-19 lockdown regime for much of the reporting year, successfully containing the virus but impacting prisoner welfare. The prison transitioned to a restricted regime, and introduced proactive safety management initiatives, including a revised approach to gangs. However, key concerns persist regarding the long-term effects of confinement, delays in mental health transfers, staffing shortages, and insufficient purposeful activity. The IMB also highlights issues with medication dispensing, the healthcare complaints system, and facilities management.
Key concerns identified
  • The longer-term impact of prolonged confinement and lack of socialisation on prisoners' mental and physical health and future behaviours.
  • The absence or remote operation of key resettlement staff (education, Home Office immigration) hindering progression and support for prisoners, especially foreign nationals.
  • Unacceptable and longstanding delays in transferring severely mentally ill prisoners to secure establishments.
  • The risk to staff and prisoners from transfers of individuals arriving with Covid-19 symptoms.
  • Insufficient purposeful out-of-cell activities and jobs for the prison's population, requiring investment.
  • Poor communication and lack of empathy from some staff influencing daily life in residential areas.
  • Unacceptable delays in the publication of Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) reports on deaths in custody.
  • The lack of mandatory drug testing, leaving the extent of drug use unknown.
  • Longstanding facilities management weaknesses, including inoperable equipment, hygiene issues, and frequent lift breakdowns.
  • Delayed responses to cell bells.
  • The lack of facilities to show body-worn video camera evidence in prisoner adjudications.
  • Ongoing staff recruitment and retention difficulties hindering regime normalisation.
  • Irregularity and poor follow-up in the prisoner information and communication (PIAC) forum.
  • Instances of halal food cross-contamination in wing serveries, a repeated concern.
  • Serious lapses in medication dispensing, including incorrect medication incidents.
  • An inadequate healthcare complaints system with unrealistic response times and poor administration.
2021 PRISON Concerns Stocken
Published 9 Nov 2021
Self-harm: 349 Assaults: 64 Staff assaults: 45
HMP Stocken, a category C training prison, experienced significant disruption during the reporting year (May 2020 – April 2021) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, yet managed a commendable response to the outbreak and achieved high vaccination rates. Despite an extended period of restricted regime, the Board found the prison generally safe and commended the leadership and staff. Key concerns include persistent issues with prisoner transfers, resettlement support, and access to programmes.
Key concerns identified
  • Persistent lack of capacity in category D prisons, leading to significant numbers of category D prisoners remaining at Stocken.
  • Delays in the recategorisation and transfer of prisoners, particularly for those moved to category B and D, with some waiting over 42 days. This issue was also raised last year.
  • Ineffective ‘prisoner flow’ and resettlement support for prisoners released directly from Stocken, as it is not funded as a resettlement prison.
  • Grave concerns over the lack of access to essential offending behaviour programmes, hindering risk reduction and progression.
  • Significant issues with prisoners' property not being transferred effectively, leading to losses and compensation claims.
  • Lack of places at secure mental health facilities, leading to prisoners with severe mental health difficulties being inappropriately held in prison.
2021 PRISON Concerns Dover Short Term Holding Facilities
Published 5 Nov 2021 · 486 prisoners
The Dover Independent Monitoring Board raises urgent concerns about the continuing and worsening conditions at Tug Haven, Kent Intake Unit (KIU), and Frontier House. Facilities are severely overcrowded, leading to migrants, including vulnerable children, sleeping in unheated and unsanitary tents. Significant issues with undetected injuries, inadequate medical screening, and insufficient healthcare staffing are highlighted, along with staff demoralisation and safety incidents stemming from the challenging environment.
Key concerns identified
  • The facilities, especially Tug Haven, are severely overcrowded and unsuitable for holding migrants, including vulnerable children, who are forced to sleep on floors in cold, unsanitary tents.
  • Serious and undetected injuries, such as fuel burns and foot wounds, are prevalent among migrants, exacerbated by inadequate medical screening and insufficient healthcare staffing across all facilities.
  • The prolonged use of these temporary holding facilities, due to significant delays in opening the new Western Jetfoil site, is causing significant welfare concerns, particularly as the weather grows colder.
  • Poor sanitation and hygiene, including extremely dirty toilets and a lack of proper washing facilities, contribute to the spread of illness and infection risk, as evidenced by a recent sickness outbreak at Frontier House.
  • Staff morale is negatively impacted by the challenging conditions, and safety incidents, including agitated detainees requiring police intervention, highlight the volatile environment.
2021 PRISON Concerns Whitemoor
Published 5 Nov 2021 · 388 prisoners
Self-harm: 188 Assaults: 28 Staff assaults: 49
HMP Whitemoor operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions, leading to prisoners spending over 21 hours locked in cells daily, significantly impacting mental health and purposeful activity. Despite this, the prison maintained order and controlled infection effectively. Key challenges include increased substance misuse, persistently high segregation unit occupancy, and the urgent need for in-cell telephones and improved estate maintenance. The IMB commends the prison's efforts in managing the pandemic and establishing a rehabilitative culture, while highlighting critical areas for development.
Key concerns identified
  • The significant negative impact of prolonged lockdown conditions and reduced purposeful activity on prisoners' mental health and wellbeing.
  • An increase in the use of illicit substances, including hooch, facilitated in part by staff corruption, posing a risk to safety and stability.
  • The persistently high occupancy of the segregation unit, often exceeding its capacity and leading to extended periods of isolation, which also impacts the functioning of the adjacent Bridge unit.
  • Delays and poor quality in essential estate refurbishment projects, such as the main kitchen, alongside the ongoing lack of in-cell telephones, hindering family contact and reducing stress.
  • The difficulties in arranging timely transfers for prisoners with complex needs to specialist units, leading to men languishing in unsuitable conditions.
  • Challenges in staff retention and the reliance on less experienced officers, contributing to inconsistencies in staff-prisoner relations and key worker scheme delivery.
  • The continuing frustration caused by inadequate management of prisoners' property, particularly during transfers between establishments.
2021 PRISON Concerns Swinfen Hall
Published 4 Nov 2021 · 570 prisoners
The IMB reports on HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall for 2020-21, a period significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. While aspects like healthcare provision and increased safety for some vulnerable prisoners were noted as positive, the report highlights serious concerns regarding property issues, the lack of crucial rehabilitation programs, increasing mental health referrals, and the disproportionate use of PAVA on BAME prisoners. The Board also noted challenges with staffing, poor refurbishment works, and prisoners' limited time out of cell, with many recommendations to Ministers, HMPPS, and the Governor.
Key concerns identified
  • The poor workmanship in the refurbishment of A, B and C wings has impacted operational capacity and required repeated work.
  • Prisoners have been deprived of essential education, work, rehabilitation programmes, daily association, and family visits due to the pandemic.
  • The loss of prisoners' property, particularly during transfer, continues to be a deep concern, with no improvement noted from the previous year.
  • The new offender flow process results in many prisoners arriving without an initial OASys assessment, increasing pressure on stretched resources.
  • There is a worrying increase in mental health caseloads and emergency escorts to A&E, requiring close monitoring.
  • The Board has concerns about the disproportionate use of PAVA against Black, Asian, and minority ethnic prisoners.
  • Black, Asian, and minority ethnic prisoners are up to three times more likely than white prisoners to be in the Care and Separation Unit.
2021 PRISON Concerns Birmingham
Published 3 Nov 2021
Self-harm: 676
HMP Birmingham has shown significant improvement in safety and stability under new leadership, making it the safest it has been in years, despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Healthcare provision is good, and peer support systems are strong. However, key concerns persist regarding the inhumane nature of prolonged in-cell lock-up, the high levels of use of force, and persistent issues with long stays in segregation. Other areas needing development include support for homelessness on release, addressing learning difficulties, and ensuring equity in the IEP scheme.
Key concerns identified
  • Prolonged and repeated stays in the segregation unit (CSU) for challenging cases, without suitable alternative national provision.
  • The inhumane nature of the 22.5-hour daily lock-up regime and its potential long-term impact on mental and physical health.
  • High levels of unplanned use of force, compounded by a lack of consistent body-worn video camera use and insufficient equipment.
  • Significant issues with homelessness for prisoners released directly from court or on short sentences, and difficulties in opening bank accounts on release.
  • Inadequate addressing of learning difficulties and autism among prisoners, requiring improved identification, training, and support systems.
  • Persistent problems with lost property, catalogue purchases, and complaint response times.
2021 PRISON Concerns Warren Hill
Published 2 Nov 2021
Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
HMP Warren Hill, a Category C adult male prison with an operational capacity of 262, is generally considered safe and treats prisoners with respect, despite the significant challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic during the reporting period (June 2020 – May 2021). The regime was severely curtailed, with reduced time out of cell and suspension of education and therapy, yet staff maintained relationships and prisoner wellbeing was supported. Key concerns include the poor quality of food, delays in property policy reform, and missed opportunities for in-cell technology, though progress was noted on an approved premises and a disabled cell.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing difficulties with the provision and quality of food from the Hollesley Bay kitchens, including an incident where a dead mouse was found in a heated trolley, which has led to a breakdown in trust and numerous complaints.
  • The continued delay in publishing the long-awaited review of the handling of prisoners’ property, which remains a matter of concern for both current and transferred property issues.
  • The missed opportunity to install in-cell laptops concurrently with the planned in-cell telephony upgrade, limiting prisoners' access to learning and applications.
  • Several estate issues, including some doors lacking adequate apertures for fire hoses, ill-fitting windows with withdrawn replacement funding, and slow progress on a wheelchair-accessible room and wet room.
  • The severe curtailment of the progression regime, purposeful activity, education classes, group therapy, and the Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) scheme due to the pandemic.
  • Disruption to the key worker system, which became a "box-ticking" exercise, although management is addressing this with refresher courses and strengthened supervision.
2021 PRISON Concerns Winchester
Published 29 Oct 2021 · 482 prisoners
Assaults: 158 Staff assaults: 193
HMP Winchester successfully navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing internal outbreaks and earning commendation for its management. Despite this, the prison continues to face significant challenges including high levels of violence, severe regime restrictions, and ongoing issues with overcrowding and the dilapidated prison estate. While healthcare provision has improved and ACCT cases have reduced, the IMB raises multiple concerns regarding the inhumane out-of-cell time, inadequate facilities for vulnerable prisoners, and a lack of funding for critical improvements.
Key concerns identified
  • Very high levels of violence, with HMP Winchester being highest in its comparator group for assaults on staff and second highest for prisoner-on-prisoner assaults.
  • The lack of appropriate facilities for prisoners with challenging behaviour and mental health issues, falling below inpatient threshold, creates risks for both prisoners and staff in the CSU.
  • The fundamental fabric of the prison is unsafe and not conducive to a progressive environment, with numerous incidents of structural damage and inadequate cell conditions.
  • Severely restricted regime meant 64% of prisoners spent less than an hour out of cell daily, which the IMB regards as inhumane.
  • Persistent overcrowding, with most single-person cells housing two, and almost all cells failing to meet privacy standards for WC use.
  • Significant deficiencies in surveillance arrangements on the prison site and the ongoing problem of a defective vehicle entrance barrier remain unaddressed.
2021 PRISON Concerns Whatton
Published 25 Oct 2021 · 781 prisoners
Self-harm: 496 Assaults: 22 Staff assaults: 11
HMP Whatton operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions for most of the reporting year, with prisoners confined to cells for 22 hours daily and many activities suspended. Despite these challenges, the Board commended staff for their fair and humane approach, and prisoners largely understood the restrictions. Key concerns include the unsustainable restrictive regime, poor healthcare accommodation, delays in mental health transfers, and a backlog in offending behaviour programmes impacting resettlement.
Key concerns identified
  • The national lockdown regime, confining prisoners to their cells for 22 hours per day, is unsustainable and cannot be regarded as fair and humane treatment.
  • Substandard accommodation in the B wings remains unfit for purpose and has been regularly criticised.
  • The standard of accommodation in the healthcare centre is a significant concern, being cramped, damp, and not fit for purpose for the aging prisoner population.
  • Delays in transferring prisoners with severe mental health issues to secure hospital accommodation, with one prisoner held for over 98 days.
  • The provision of accredited programmes and resettlement support has been curtailed or suspended, leaving prisoners unprepared for release and creating a backlog that impacts sentence plans and parole hearings.
  • Persistent issues with the loss of prisoners' property during transfers, with no reliable tracking system.
  • Delays in the timely notification of approved premises for released prisoners, often only days before release, hindering employment and resettlement.
2021 PRISON Concerns Sudbury
Published 22 Oct 2021 · 484 prisoners
Assaults: 9 Staff assaults: 4
HMP/YOI Sudbury, an open Category D male and young offenders resettlement prison, had a population of 484 in April 2021, operating at an operational capacity of 564. The reporting year, ending May 2021, was significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, limiting the Board's observation and affecting many aspects of prison life, including ROTL, social visits, and purposeful activity. Despite challenges, the prison maintained low self-harm rates and experienced no Covid-19 deaths. However, concerns persist regarding the aging infrastructure, property handling during transfers, and access to offender management support.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of funding for fundamental improvements to the fabric of the building, essential for decent living conditions at the prison.
  • Significant problems with prisoners' property being lost or mishandled during transfers between prisons.
  • The apparent frequency with which illicit items, including drugs and mobile phones, continue to enter the establishment.
  • Disruption to ROTL planning for many prisoners due to the management of probation services.
  • Insufficient support for prisoners in achieving their custody plan objectives, with many not knowing their Prison Offender Manager.
  • Restricted access to doctor and dentist appointments, coupled with a significant waiting list for dental care.
2021 PRISON Concerns Wandsworth
Published 21 Oct 2021 · 1,502 prisoners
Self-harm: 487 Assaults: 326 Staff assaults: 274
HMP Wandsworth operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions for most of the year, leading to prisoners spending up to 23.5 hours a day in cramped cells. The prison remained highly overcrowded and faced significant safety challenges from violence and widespread drug availability. Persistent concerns include the inhumane state of the Victorian buildings, inadequate healthcare facilities, rising mental health needs, and the absence of Home Office immigration support.
Key concerns identified
  • The prison remains severely overcrowded with 170-year-old residential buildings deemed unfit for purpose, suffering from frequent faults and lack of privacy.
  • High levels of violence (prisoner-on-officer and prisoner-on-prisoner assaults) and widespread drug availability contribute to an unsafe environment.
  • Healthcare provision is inadequate, with the Jones and Addison units being unsuitable and limited, and the new facility failing to include residential cells.
  • Mental health services are overwhelmed by increased referrals, and there are long delays in transfers to secure psychiatric accommodation.
  • The absence of Home Office immigration enforcement officers leaves foreign nationals without adequate support, contributing to stress and self-harm.
  • Recurrent shortages of essential kit and the lack of privacy curtains in shared cells remain unsatisfactory.
2021 PRISON Concerns Littlehey
Published 20 Oct 2021 · 1,098 prisoners
Self-harm: 316 Assaults: 34 Staff assaults: 31
HMP Littlehey operated as a Category C training prison for sex offenders, holding 1,098 prisoners under severe COVID-19 restrictions for 11 months of the reporting period. The Board found the prison generally safe and humane, noting a decrease in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults but an increase in staff assaults and a high number of deaths in custody. Key concerns include the proposal for new double cells, persistent issues with shared accommodation, long mental health waiting times, and a significant lack of purposeful activity for prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The plan to replace G Wing with double cells contravenes Ministry of Justice strategy regarding safety and decency, and suitable accommodation for the aged and disabled is a significant consideration.
  • Too many prisoners are still forced to share cells, including those designed for single occupancy.
  • Property remains the most complained about area, with HMPPS not publishing the promised policy framework and other prisons being slow to respond to transfer-related property complaints.
  • The prison needs to further develop its understanding of equality issues, especially the over-representation of different groups in adjudications and use of force.
  • There is a high number of deaths in custody, requiring a focus on learning points and ensuring adequate numbers of trained family liaison officers.
  • The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) is unsuitable for long-term isolation, especially for prisoners with severe mental health issues.
  • Mental health waiting times significantly increased to 42 days, and there are insufficient disability cells given the prison's age profile.
  • A significant number of prisoners (26.6%) have no assigned activity, spending nearly all day locked in cells, and there is a backlog of OASys reports delaying sentence planning and access to interventions.
2021 PRISON Concerns Erlestoke
Published 15 Oct 2021 · 428 prisoners
Self-harm: 392 Assaults: 44 Staff assaults: 64
HMP Erlestoke generally maintained a safe and humane environment during the reporting year ending March 2021, despite the challenges of Covid-19. Key improvements included a significant reduction in violence, commendable healthcare management of a Covid-19 outbreak, and improved resettlement planning. However, concerns remain regarding a troubling increase in self-harm, inadequate provision for prisoners with complex needs and IPP sentences, estates issues, and the impact of regime restrictions on purposeful activity.
Key concerns identified
  • A prisoner with special needs, likely autism, has been inhumanely confined in segregation for an extended period due to a lack of suitable alternative accommodation within the prison system.
  • A cohort of IPP prisoners, many years past their tariff, are left without hope, are institutionalised, dehumanised, and some suffer from mental illness, requiring national attention.
  • Two residential units were closed during the year, and plans to replace them have faltered, hindering long-term planning for the prison.
  • The fitness suite roof leaks, imperiling new flooring and equipment, and urgently requires replacement and funding.
  • A healthcare representative is still absent in 40% of first ACCT reviews, despite improvements noted this year.
  • There is no clear communication with the IMB regarding prisoners segregated on their own location.
  • Prisoners and staff regularly complain about a lack of consistency from management in applying rules.
  • Function heads show scant participation in diversity and inclusion meetings, a recurring issue that requires a more robust regime for monitoring equality and fairness.
  • The complaints system lacks independence in terms of investigation.
  • A lack of adequate Wi-Fi and suitable iPads prevents healthcare staff from accessing patient records on wings and at reception, posing a patient safety risk.
  • Self-harm incidents rose significantly, an 86% increase from the previous year, in contrast to national trends.
  • Conditions in the Segregation Unit (CSU) fell below acceptable standards, with prisoners left without proper sanitation and running water for up to three weeks after cell damage.
2021 PRISON Concerns Wealstun
Published 14 Oct 2021 · 809 prisoners
HMP Wealstun, a Category C training and resettlement prison, navigated the reporting year (June 2020-May 2021) under severe Covid-19 restrictions, leading to prisoners being locked up for up to 23 hours daily. The Board commended the prison for maintaining order and a settled environment, with significantly reduced violence and self-harm. Key concerns highlighted include the inadequacy of the daily food allowance, the need for improved body scanner processes and training, and ensuring the full reinstatement of key worker schemes and offending behaviour programmes post-pandemic.
Key concerns identified
  • The daily food allowance of £2.02 is considered extremely small for adult men and their nutritional needs.
  • A comprehensive review of the use of body scanners is needed, including better training and consistency, to prevent segregation based solely on scan images.
  • There is a need for more Category D open prison places to prevent delays in transfers for recategorised prisoners.
  • Refresher training for PAVA and rigid-bar handcuffs is a priority once training can resume.
  • Key workers need to be fully in place for all prisoners when lockdown restrictions are lifted.
  • The monthly forum for IPP and life-sentenced prisoners with the offender management unit (OMU) needs to be reinstated.
2021 PRISON Concerns Coldingley
Published 13 Oct 2021 · 452 prisoners
Self-harm: 163 Assaults: 28 Staff assaults: 35
HMP Coldingley, a Category C training prison, faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting regime, education, and work. The Board commends staff for maintaining a humane regime, containing Covid-19 outbreaks, and facilitating out-of-cell time. Key concerns include illicit items leading to violence, the lack of in-cell sanitation in older wings, and the poor state of the estate. The report highlights progress in areas like new accommodation pods and education initiatives but calls for addressing long-standing issues such as IPP prisoners and resettlement challenges.
Key concerns identified
  • The prevalence of illicit items (drugs, mobile phones, hooch) contributes to increased levels of violence and bullying.
  • The absence of in-cell sanitation in older wings results in a basic indignity for prisoners.
  • The fabric of older wings and flooring on E wing are in an unsatisfactory state, with repairs taking too long.
  • There is continuing concern about the number of IPP prisoners serving many years beyond their tariff.
  • Significant waiting times exist for certain healthcare services, notably optician appointments (39 weeks).
  • Almost half of all prisoners released go to unknown accommodation.
2021 PRISON Concerns Stoke Heath
Published 13 Oct 2021 · 676 prisoners
HMP/YOI Stoke Heath faced significant challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime with prisoners locked in cells for extended periods, impacting their wellbeing and rehabilitation. Despite this, the IMB found the prison to be safe, with well-led healthcare services and positive staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include severe funding cuts to education and vocational training, an inadequate heating system, and the detrimental impact of the restrictive regime and blended learning on purposeful activity and rehabilitation.
Key concerns identified
  • The 32% cut to the education budget over three years, leading to the loss of 102 activity spaces and all prisoner qualifications in several vocational areas, significantly hinders rehabilitation efforts.
  • The heating and hot water system is not fit for purpose, causing extreme cell temperatures that adversely impact prisoner health and wellbeing, and its replacement is a priority.
  • Blended learning for education will result in prisoners being locked up for longer periods daily, further undermining the development of an effective rehabilitative culture.
  • The national system for managing prisoners’ property on transfer remains inadequate, causing distress to prisoners due to lost personal items and straining prison resources.
  • A significant number of prisoners transfer into Stoke Heath without an appropriate OASys or OMiC plan, placing pressure on the prison's resources.
  • The pausing of the full key worker programme has negatively impacted prisoners’ progress towards rehabilitation and their understanding of their situation.
  • The quality of some prison responses to complaints is often unsatisfactory, failing to resolve grievances and leading to repeat complaints.
2021 PRISON Concerns Wakefield
Published 13 Oct 2021 · 705 prisoners
Self-harm: 437 Assaults: 18 Staff assaults: 57
HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating under severe lockdown regimes with prisoners spending only 1.5 hours out of cell daily. While violence reduced, self-harm incidents and deaths in custody increased. The Board raised serious concerns about persistent issues with mental health transfers, a lack of consultant forensic psychiatrist provision, and the absence of in-cell telephony, which impacted prisoner wellbeing and family contact. Staffing shortages and recruitment delays were also significant concerns.
Key concerns identified
  • Long-standing unresolved problems with the assessment and transfer of prisoners with serious mental health and personality disorders to hospital (Section 47 MHA 1983).
  • The impact of sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) on prisoners substantially over tariff.
  • Persistent staffing challenges, including high vacancies for psychologists, slow recruitment, and exhaustion among staff.
  • Lack of in-cell telephony, hindering family contact and access to support.
  • Limited time out of cell (1.5 hours/day) due to COVID-19 restrictions and lack of clarity on future targets.
  • Recurring problems with prisoners' property going missing and a lack of consistency across the estate.
  • Inadequate and disjointed healthcare provision, specifically the lack of a consultant forensic psychiatrist and significant delays in mental health transfers and social care equipment.
  • Disproportional outcomes for prisoners of Pakistani heritage regarding adjudications and use of force.
  • Challenges in providing reasonable adjustments and gender-affirming products for prisoners on the autism spectrum and transgender prisoners, respectively.
  • Concerns regarding end-of-life care, including the unavailability of the care suite and a prisoner being in the same cell as a deceased man.
2021 PRISON Concerns Standford Hill
Published 12 Oct 2021 · 458 prisoners
Assaults: 3
HMP/YOI Standford Hill maintained a well-run, humane prison with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, despite significant challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board commended staff dedication and positive prison culture, but raised concerns about healthcare provision following a death in custody, the lack of an internet room, and reliance on external kitchen facilities. The pandemic severely restricted regime activities and purposeful activity, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
Key concerns identified
  • The death of Mr Rahman and the inadequate healthcare oversight surrounding his discharge from hospital, raising concerns about recurrence.
  • The absence of 24/7 onsite healthcare cover, particularly at weekends.
  • The lack of an internet room to adequately equip prisoners with digital communication skills for resettlement.
  • The reliance on HMP Swaleside for food provision and the absence of Standford Hill's own kitchen facilities and a dining room.
  • The severe impact of Covid-19 restrictions on purposeful activity, ROTL, education, and family visits, leading to prolonged inactivity and hindering progression.
  • The lack of soundproofing in the healthcare centre, preventing discreet and confidential discussions during medication dispensing.
2021 PRISON Concerns Peterborough (Men)
Published 11 Oct 2021
Self-harm: 485 Assaults: 163 Staff assaults: 66
HMP/YOI Peterborough (Men) operated under restricted Covid-19 regimes for the entire reporting year, impacting daily routines and rehabilitation. Despite this, the prison received credit for managing the pandemic well, leading to good safety outcomes, including significant reductions in violence and self-harm. Key concerns persist regarding resettlement accommodation, mental health provision in segregation, the future 'full regime,' and the full return of the key worker scheme.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners on release, exacerbated by the absence of support agencies in the prison.
  • A significant number of prisoners are held in separation and care units without the necessary mental health inputs or suitable programs of care.
  • Concerns regarding the expectations for the future 'full regime' and its potential impact on prisoners' lives.
  • The key worker scheme needs to return to its normal operation as soon as possible, with increased awareness and contact for residents.
  • Dentistry services were suspended for longer than in the community, causing residents to tolerate painful conditions.
  • There is limited psychologist support available on site.
2021 PRISON Concerns Peterborough (Women)
Published 11 Oct 2021
Self-harm: 1,014 Assaults: 28 Staff assaults: 53
The reporting year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which HMP Peterborough (Women) managed the emergency well, leading to significant improvements in safety outcomes. However, the restrictive regime severely impacted women's wellbeing and rehabilitation. Key concerns remain regarding national support for complex needs women, the effectiveness of the key worker system, and the need to adapt the regime better to women's specific needs.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of proactive national support from HMPPS for complex needs residents.
  • Need for a robust key work system where women know and feel supported by their assigned key worker.
  • Further progress needed on adapting the prison’s regime and practice to suit the needs of women better.
  • Concerns about the lack of cells meeting the needs of prisoners with disabilities.
  • Five residents exceeded 42 days in segregation due to lack of alternative secure accommodation.
  • Suspension of dental services for longer than in the community, causing painful conditions.
2021 PRISON Concerns Wymott
Published 8 Oct 2021
Self-harm: 224 Assaults: 40 Staff assaults: 11
HMP Wymott largely maintained safety during a challenging Covid-19 reporting year (June 2020-May 2021), seeing reductions in self-harm and violence. While staff efforts and some initiatives were commendable, the pandemic exacerbated long-standing issues, particularly with healthcare provision, the prison estate's infrastructure, property loss, and complaints handling. The restricted regime severely limited opportunities for purposeful activity, education, and resettlement, causing significant frustration among prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The risk of drug-related deaths and the ease of drug access within the prison.
  • Persistent failings in handling prisoners' complaints and significant loss of prisoner property.
  • Long-standing problems in healthcare, including medication distribution, inadequate premises, and dental waiting times.
  • Limited opportunities for progression and purposeful activity, particularly for IPP prisoners, leading to frustration.
  • Dire state and lack of investment in A and B wings, and struggling kitchen infrastructure.
  • Staffing shortages impacting healthcare and other services.
  • Delays in informing prisoners of release arrangements and restrictions on transfers to resettlement prisons.
2020 PRISON Concerns Dover
Published 8 Oct 2021
Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
The Independent Monitoring Board for Dover Short-Term Holding Facility reported on the period of January 2019 to December 2020, during which detainee numbers significantly increased. Key concerns included the unsuitability of the facilities for the high volume of detainees and extended stays, particularly for vulnerable individuals and children. The Board highlighted issues with mental health provision, the practicality of COVID-19 measures, and detainees' lack of clear information or external contact, despite staff largely treating detainees with respect.
Key concerns identified
  • The fundamental unsuitability of holding facilities for the high numbers of detainees and prolonged stays (exceeding 24 hours), particularly with inadequate sleeping facilities, ventilation, and access to fresh air or showers.
  • Increased pressure on staff to identify and respond to detainee vulnerabilities, including safeguarding children, leading to potential missed needs and issues with incorrect age assessments.
  • Insufficient mental health provision and challenges in effectively communicating health information for detainees transferred to other facilities.
  • Impracticality of social distancing and concerns about the effectiveness and uptake of COVID-19 testing within the crowded holding room environment.
  • Detainees' confusion regarding their process and limited ability to contact family or legal advisors, exacerbated by information not being available in a range of languages.
2021 PRISON Concerns Woodhill
Published 5 Oct 2021 · 455 prisoners
HMP Woodhill faced a challenging year dominated by Covid-19 restrictions, which limited prisoner time out of cell to an average of 1.75 hours daily and curtailed visits and activities. Despite successfully preventing a Covid-19 outbreak among prisoners, the Board raised concerns about high levels of violence, a high proportion of inexperienced staff, and issues with long-term segregation and property management. There were also notable delays in mental health transfers and insufficient purposeful activity for progression.
Key concerns identified
  • High levels of all types of violence (self-harm, prisoner-on-prisoner, staff assaults)
  • High proportion of inexperienced staff, impacting safety and care
  • Too many prisoners held in long-term segregation due to lack of specialist units or progression options
  • Significant issues with prisoner property management, including losses, delays, and contraband upon arrival
  • Ongoing delays in transferring prisoners to secure mental health facilities
  • Insufficient purposeful activity, education, and offending behaviour programmes hindering progression and resettlement
2021 PRISON Concerns Low Newton
Published 4 Oct 2021 · 237 prisoners
Self-harm: 470 Assaults: 18 Staff assaults: 54
This IMB report for HMP/YOI Low Newton covers March 2020 – February 2021, a period significantly impacted by Covid-19. The Board found the prison generally safe and prisoners treated humanely, commending staff for adapting well to pandemic challenges. Key concerns remain regarding the high number of prisoners with severe mental health issues, the need for funding for educational initiatives, and ongoing estate issues impacting purposeful activity.
Key concerns identified
  • A large number of women with severe mental health issues, with the prison often used as a 'place of safety'.
  • Need for additional funding to invest in new educational and vocational initiatives.
  • Need for more handsets to allow staff access to in-cell phones.
  • Consistent timings of Good Order or Discipline (GOOD) reviews for Board attendance.
  • Serious problems with leaking roofs, restricting education classrooms and workshops.
  • The Listener scheme is 50% below complement.
  • Challenges in finding appropriate accommodation for released prisoners.
  • Low take-up of video visits due to technology and security issues.
  • The IMB needs to increase personnel and improve gender mix.
2021 PRISON Concerns New Hall
Published 1 Oct 2021 · 311 prisoners
Self-harm: 467
The Independent Monitoring Board at HMP New Hall reported a generally well-run and safe prison for the year ending February 2021, despite significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Positive aspects included improved healthcare staffing, reduced self-harm, and effective use of technology like Purple Visits to maintain family contact. However, key concerns persist regarding the lack of resettlement accommodation, the impact of Covid-19 on sentence progression, and persistent issues with late prisoner arrivals and lost property during transfers.
Key concerns identified
  • The government plan for 500 new prison places for women contradicts the female offender strategy.
  • There is a continued lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation for women on release.
  • Covid-19 restrictions have hindered prisoners from completing sentence plans and progressing towards release.
  • Late arrivals of residents at reception remain a persistent problem, not improving despite previous flagging.
  • Loss of personal property during transfers between prisons is a regular cause for complaint.
  • Some prisoners are still released with no accommodation.
2021 PRISON Concerns Downview
Published 29 Sep 2021 · 219 prisoners
Self-harm: 369 Assaults: 21 Staff assaults: 11
HMP/YOI Downview operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions, leading to a significantly reduced regime with prisoners largely confined to cells for 22.5 hours a day. Despite these challenges, the Board found Downview to be a safe prison, with staff highly commended for their efforts in maintaining safety and humane treatment. Concerns persist regarding mental health provision, the impact of prolonged lockdown on prisoners' well-being, and the limited availability of purposeful activity and external support services.
Key concerns identified
  • Delay in easing restricted regime and its impact on mental health.
  • Disappointment with lack of special vaccination status for prisons, contradictory to reasons for family visit restrictions.
  • Concern about creating 500 new prison places for women, contradictory to community support assurances.
  • Lack of centrally collated data on dependent children of prisoners, hampering family engagement.
  • Ensuring purposeful activity and rehabilitation in post-lockdown regime, and constructive management of trade union input.
  • Concern about centralised contract management processes (e.g., PACT) limiting local establishments' ability to performance manage, and need for robust processes for future procurement.
  • Managing third-party providers (e.g., Weston College, PACT, DWP) unable or unwilling to attend during lockdowns, which left prison staff exposed and prisoners denied support.
  • Extreme concern about reduced capacity and headcount for psychology interventions and subsequent waiting list, especially during increased demand, urging prompt recruitment.
  • Significant obstacles to prisoners' access to IT for education, urging development of an effective digital strategy for education, digital devices, and secure internet access in the women's estate.
  • Outdated internal IT systems wasting staff time, plans for updating across the estate.
  • Predictions of fewer opportunities for association; hope for replacement by purposeful activity.
  • Need for a more family-centred approach and proactive management of contracted-out resources.
  • Monitoring the Weston College contract as face-to-face teaching resumes.
  • Frequent inaccuracies in presented data (operational records, management information).
  • Subjective treatment of some healthcare complaints as concerns, requiring more effective management.
2021 PRISON Concerns Berwyn
Published 28 Sep 2021 · 1,725 prisoners
Self-harm: 1,431 Assaults: 301 Staff assaults: 258
HMP Berwyn, a category C resettlement prison, experienced its first period near full operational capacity during a reporting year largely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite restrictions, the IMB found the establishment safe with generally good staff-prisoner relationships and efforts made to provide education and essential work. However, significant concerns persisted regarding infrastructure defects (heating, paint), lengthy healthcare waiting times, and delays in transferring prisoners with mental ill-health or those eligible for Category D.
Key concerns identified
  • The serious paint defects and ineffective heating systems need urgent resolution, as they pose a detriment to prisoners.
  • Significant delays in transferring men with mental ill-health to appropriate secure facilities lead to lengthy periods in segregation.
  • Lengthy waiting times for dental care (12 months) and GP appointments (six weeks) need improvement.
  • The lack of available category D transfer places causes considerable frustration among eligible men.
  • The high levels of self-harm incidents, assaults, and use of force are a significant concern.
  • The complaints system is overwhelmed, with issues not being resolved at community level and formal complaint responses lacking timeliness and quality.
  • The medicines optimisation strategy caused distress among prisoners due to sudden changes in medication, leading to increased complaints.
  • The prison's design with 70% double occupancy cells creates significant challenges for prisoners unable to share.
2021 PRISON Concerns Stafford
Published 21 Sep 2021 · 693 prisoners
Self-harm: 116 Assaults: 12 Staff assaults: 11
This IMB annual report for HMP Stafford, a Category C training prison, covers a period significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Key concerns include persistent poor medicines management, deteriorating staff-resident relationships, and the challenges of a highly restrictive regime compounded by a lack of in-cell telephony. Positive aspects noted were low violence and drug levels, successful vaccine rollout, and comprehensive in-cell activity provision.
Key concerns identified
  • All elements of medicines management are non-comparable to the general community and totally unacceptable on the grounds of resident health safety, especially regarding repeat prescriptions and medication delivery gaps.
  • A significant number of residents reported being treated unfairly or without respect by staff, with only 65% of survey respondents feeling respected and over 15% reporting negative officer conduct, including instances of bullying and discrimination.
  • The lack of in-cell telephony places significant pressure on wing pin phones, forcing residents to choose between communication with loved ones and essential outdoor exercise, and the national rollout appears delayed.
  • The Population Management Unit (PMU) is not adequately considering the suitability of residents transferred to HMP Stafford, leading to arrivals who cannot manage the prison's stairs or require end-of-life care without prior discussion, placing unfair pressure on staff and detrimentally affecting the resident.
  • The IEP scheme is poorly understood and perceived as ineffective by over 60% of residents, with some believing it rewards poor behaviour and provides no incentive to progress beyond basic or standard levels.
  • There is a disparity in call charges, making calls from wing phones more expensive than in-cell phones, placing residents at a disadvantage and negatively impacting their mental health and family contacts.
2021 PRISON Concerns Pentonville
Published 14 Sep 2021 · 966 prisoners
Self-harm: 556
During a reporting year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pentonville successfully avoided a widespread deadly outbreak through stringent measures, though two prisoners sadly died. However, the Board found that the highly restricted regime led to inhumane conditions, with prisoners confined to cells for extended periods, impacting mental health and resettlement progression. Key concerns remain around overcrowding, inadequate facilities, the safety of vulnerable prisoners, and persistent violence and drug issues, with limited progress on ACCT quality and disproportionality in disciplinary actions.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding and inhumane conditions due to cell sharing.
  • Inadequate and unhygienic facilities (showers, heating, vermin).
  • Significantly reduced mental health provision.
  • Safety of vulnerable prisoners housed outside dedicated unit.
  • Persistent violence and drug issues, including high young adult violence, poor drug dog cover, and no MDT.
  • Backlog in PPO reports and inquests for deaths.
  • Variable quality of ACCT documents and CSIP not fully embedded.
  • Lack of timeliness in internal prison communication regarding sentence management.
  • Persistent issues with prisoners' property (delays, losses).
  • Disproportionate representation of young, Muslim, Black, and mixed ethnicity prisoners in use of force and adjudications.
  • Limited access to work, education, and other group activities, compromising resettlement.
  • Lack of staff adherence to Body Worn Video Camera (BWVC) activation policy.
2021 PRISON Concerns Hull
Published 9 Sep 2021 · 1,000 prisoners
Assaults: 195 Staff assaults: 50
During the reporting year dominated by COVID-19, HMP Hull remained a safe prison with reduced violence and aggression, despite two self-inflicted deaths. Staff and prisoners collaborated well, and new communication and education methods supported coping. However, pandemic restrictions severely limited prisoners' time out of cells to approximately one hour daily, highlighting issues with shared Victorian cells. While healthcare provision was maintained under pressure, the Board raised concerns about the management oversight of the external provider (CHCP) and the complexity of the complaints system.
Key concerns identified
  • Insufficient capacity leading to inadequate double cell sharing.
  • Loss of prisoners' property remains an issue.
  • Weak management structure, communication, and oversight of healthcare provision (CHCP).
  • Need to restore full support of key workers.
  • Sustaining improved safety perceptions while increasing activity and association.
  • Developing interventions for young adults and building employer contacts for resettlement.
  • Consistency in holding and notifying IMB of Rule 45 segregation reviews.
2021 PRISON Concerns Styal
Published 8 Sep 2021
HMP/YOI Styal effectively managed the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining a safe and humane environment despite significant regime restrictions. While primary healthcare was good, mental health needs were not fully supported, and purposeful activity was severely curtailed due to lockdowns. Key concerns include fire safety risks in unrefurbished houses, ongoing maintenance failings, and the need for more resources to tackle drug ingress and support prisoners with complex mental health issues.
Key concerns identified
  • There is a significant fire risk in 16 unrefurbished houses at Styal, identified as red risk due to false ceilings, lath and plaster, and non-fire-resistant doors.
  • Significant failings in accommodation maintenance continue, with excessive quotations and long delays from external providers, leading to further deterioration and decency issues. This issue was also reported last year.
  • Increased resources, including better access to drug dogs and body scanners, are needed to tackle illicit drug traffic, particularly as lockdown restrictions ease.
  • The prison is challenged by the need to manage many prisoners with severe and enduring mental health problems, highlighting a national need for more specialist facilities.
  • Greater consideration is required for prison escorts, which exacerbate critical staffing shortages, especially given the complex health needs of female prisoners.
  • Concerns exist about changes to Through the Gate Services contracts, including the loss of experienced partners like Shelter, requiring careful monitoring.
  • There is insufficient dialogue between healthcare and other prison staff, and the IMB lacks access to analysis of prisoner complaints directly to the healthcare provider.
2021 PRISON Concerns Preston
Published 7 Sep 2021 · 675 prisoners
HMP/YOI Preston operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions throughout the reporting year, facing two outbreaks that significantly impacted regime, staffing, and services. Despite these challenges, there were no prisoner deaths, and staff maintained good relations with prisoners, with some positive developments in digital communication and body scanner integration. However, key concerns persist around the outdated physical estate, chronic staffing shortages, and lengthy delays for mental health transfers.
Key concerns identified
  • The physical environment, particularly the cramped reception area and small cells with unscreened toilets, does not meet modern standards and was exacerbated by Covid-19 restrictions.
  • Staffing levels were a constant problem, significantly impacted by Covid-19 related absences and the reliance on officers under training to cover duties.
  • There is a significant delay in transferring prisoners with acute mental health needs to secure units, with an average wait of three to six months, far exceeding proposed guidelines.
  • Progression and resettlement suffered, with education providers initially remote, courses lacking qualifications, and vocational training ceased.
  • The lack of face-to-face contact for resettlement services like Shelter and OMU created practical issues, particularly for prisoners planning release, causing stress and anxiety.
  • The Board believes that all personnel and prisoners within the prison should have been vaccinated earlier due to the confined environment, a recommendation not accepted by Gold Command.
2021 PRISON Concerns North Sea Camp
Published 3 Sep 2021 · 346 prisoners
Self-harm: 8 Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0
The IMB report for HMP North Sea Camp for 2020-21 highlights an exceptionally difficult year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns. While the Board found the prison generally safe and humane with good healthcare, severe regime restrictions led to prisoner confinement and frustration. Key concerns include inadequate and aging accommodation, especially cramped double rooms, slow responses from the Offender Management Unit, and the lack of a dedicated end-of-life care facility.
Key concerns identified
  • No facility for suitable end-of-life care or on-site residential healthcare for an aging population.
  • Accommodation is decades old and requires more than periodic repairs, with many double rooms being inadequately sized and not compliant with PSI standards.
  • Difficulties for wheelchair users in accessing approved premises for resettlement overnight release (ROR), delaying ROTL and parole hearings.
  • Offender Management Unit (OMU) is slow to respond to prisoner requests, lacks face-to-face contact, and is perceived as inadequately preparing prisoners for release.
  • Confinement of prisoners to small, often shared, cells for most of the day due to Covid-19 restrictions, leading to frustration and deemed inhumane by many.
  • Delays in routine maintenance and issues with the transfer of prisoners’ property, linked to contract failures without apparent penalties for providers.
  • Offender managers in the probation service are slow to update OASys and complete paperwork for ROTL boards, causing delays to parole and extended prison stays.
  • Significant areas of the prison remain inaccessible to prisoners with physical disabilities, especially wheelchair users, requiring central budget allocation for improvements.
  • The need for budget allocation to convert dormitories into smaller two-person rooms to prevent multi-occupancy when the prison returns to full capacity.
2021 PRISON Concerns Swaleside
Published 3 Sep 2021 · 989 prisoners
HMP Swaleside experienced a challenging year due to COVID-19, but management and staff were commended for their exceptional response and innovative strategies. The prison maintained a positive trajectory with declining violence and improved humane treatment, though concerns persist regarding resettlement provision and the mental health impact of prolonged lockdown. Key issues include kitchen capacity, access to confidential complaints, and disparities in opportunities for vulnerable groups.
Key concerns identified
  • The kitchen's insufficient capacity for Swaleside's population and its reliance on catering for Standford Hill remains unaddressed.
  • The Board is denied statutory access to the Governor's confidential complaints (Comp 2 paperwork), hindering its monitoring duties.
  • Swaleside cannot provide adequate resettlement services for the increasing number of residents released directly into the community.
  • Inequality of opportunity persists for MCOSO and vulnerable residents regarding activities, employment, and common facilities.
  • The lack of in-cell telephony in the Inpatient Department (IPD) disadvantages residents in healthcare.
  • The continued long-term occupancy of an end-of-life cell by a paraplegic resident with different needs is inappropriate and resource-intensive.
  • The lack of sufficient Body Worn Cameras for staff needs addressing to properly establish facts after incidents.
2021 PRISON Concerns Thorn Cross
Published 2 Sep 2021
Self-harm: 3 Assaults: 7 Staff assaults: 1
HMP/YOI Thorn Cross continued to be a safe and respectful environment, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board noted good healthcare provision and a strong rehabilitative culture, supported by the welcomed use of mobile phones. Key concerns include the national reduction in open estate places, insufficient resources for prisoners with complex needs, and persistent issues with IT systems and missing property during transfers.
Key concerns identified
  • The national fall in open estate places means fewer prisoners can benefit from rehabilitative culture.
  • Increased numbers of prisoners with complex needs are not matched by adequate resources.
  • Lack of approved premises causes delays in prisoner release.
  • There's a risk that the positive learning from the temporary use of mobile phones may be lost.
  • Arrangements for high-security prisoners moving directly to the open estate are unfair and need review due to adaptation struggles.
  • The prison continues to fail in providing decent, fire-retardant seating, an issue referenced in the last report.
  • The systemic problem of prisoners' property going missing during transfer persists.
  • IT systems for staff remain slow and inefficient, a concern raised two years ago.
  • Embedding the new OMiC model and noting its impact on prisoner outcomes requires ongoing focus.
  • There is a need to reduce contraband brought onto the estate by intruders and to re-evaluate methods for identifying absconding risks.
2021 PRISON Concerns Rochester
Published 1 Sep 2021 · 652 prisoners
Assaults: 129
HMP/YOI Rochester maintained a stable, safe, and decent environment despite severe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, with violence and self-harm incidents lower than anticipated. However, the restrictive regime, which involved locking prisoners up for 22 hours a day, significantly curtailed purposeful activity and resettlement efforts. Key concerns include persistent drug issues, inadequate accommodation for released prisoners, property losses during transfers, and a shortage of Category D places.
Key concerns identified
  • Increased funding and resources are needed across the prison estate to tackle drug use, including improved security technology and intervention programmes.
  • Too many prisoners are released from Rochester to become homeless rough sleepers, as suitable accommodation is lacking and the initiative for prisons to refer those at risk to local authorities is not working.
  • There has been no progress in resolving persistent problems with property losses when prisoners are transferred between establishments, causing needless frustration.
  • Too many Category D prisoners remain in Rochester awaiting transfer to open conditions, which is unfair given their achievement of Category D status.
  • Cell clearance checks remain haphazard, particularly when prisoners are moved to the Segregation Unit from double cells, leading to loss of personal property.
2021 PRISON Concerns Send
Published 26 Aug 2021 · 168 prisoners
Self-harm: 510 Assaults: 15 Staff assaults: 10
HMP Send operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions during the reporting year, significantly impacting the regime, education, and prisoner wellbeing, with women often confined for up to 23 hours daily. Despite these challenges, staff were commended for their professionalism and efforts to maintain safety and humane treatment, including the introduction of in-cell phones and improved canteen services. Key concerns highlighted by the Board include rising self-harm incidents, continued drug entry, the inhumane detention of IPP prisoners, and the detrimental long-term effects of restricted education and resettlement opportunities.
Key concerns identified
  • The major risk to prisoner safety at Send is self-harm, levels of which climbed as the year progressed, decreasing only 6% while the population decreased 40%.
  • Drugs continued to enter the prison throughout the reporting year despite restrictions, negatively impacting safety.
  • The national restrictions imposed by HMPPS resulted in inhumane living conditions, including long periods of cell confinement, and a lack of early vaccination access for prisoners and staff.
  • The unjust and inhumane detention of two IPP prisoners, held many years beyond their original tariff dates, remains a significant concern.
  • Education was severely curtailed, with classroom teaching suspended and in-cell learning packs insufficient, compounded by a lack of digital infrastructure and a perceived low priority for learning within HMPPS.
  • There is a lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation and concerns about gaps in care for vulnerable foreign national prisoners upon release.
  • Inconsistent outcomes in Discrimination Incident Report Forms (DIRFs) for racist behaviour indicate staff difficulties in establishing proof, further hampered by outdated equality monitoring data.
  • Other concerns include long delays in property exchange and mail, inadequate cell ventilation, and problems with the Purple Visits service and social worker-supervised family visits.
2021 PRISON Concerns Nottingham
Published 25 Aug 2021 · 828 prisoners
Self-harm: 1,013 Assaults: 207 Staff assaults: 103
This IMB report for HMP Nottingham covers a period entirely dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to severely restricted regimes with prisoners spending extended periods in cell and limited access to activities. While staff are commended for their commitment and efforts to mitigate the impact, significant concerns remain regarding the humane treatment of prisoners, particularly the extended cell confinement. Key issues include inadequate mental health provision leading to long segregation stays, the situation of IPP prisoners, and the lack of arrangements for second vaccine doses upon release.
Key concerns identified
  • Extended periods of cell confinement and deprivation of basic rights due to severe pandemic restrictions.
  • Inadequate provision of in-patient mental health facilities, leading to long segregation stays for unwell prisoners and the unreasonable allocation of Rampton-rejected patients to Nottingham.
  • The ongoing, inhumane situation for IPP prisoners detained long beyond their minimum terms without clear progression paths.
  • Prolonged delays in transferring prisoners requiring suitable placements in the secure prison or mental health estate, resulting in extended segregation without necessary programmes.
  • The persistent failure to separate remand and convicted prisoners, a systemic issue.
  • The inability to ensure prisoners receive a second COVID-19 vaccine dose upon release, highlighting a discontinuity of care.
2021 PRISON Concerns Oakwood
Published 24 Aug 2021 · 2,047 prisoners
Self-harm: 887 Assaults: 20
HMP Oakwood navigated the COVID-19 pandemic under a strict 22-23 hour lockdown regime, with staff showing exemplary commitment in maintaining a safe environment and humane treatment. Despite these efforts, the regime severely limited education, purposeful activity, and access to services, leading to concerns about sentence progression and mental health impacts. Key issues included the poor performance of the education provider Novus, persistent problems with prisoner property transfers, and challenges in managing transfers of vulnerable prisoners without appropriate medical information or COVID-19 testing.
Key concerns identified
  • The almost complete absence and poor performance of education provider Novus.
  • Lack of agreed protocols for secure transportation of prisoner property between prisons, and concerns about missing property upon transfer or after cell searches.
  • Prisoners arriving with serious illnesses, injuries, COVID-19 symptoms, or without medication/records, alongside a lack of routine COVID-19 testing on transfer.
  • Quality and reliability issues with the Purple Visits platform and insufficient alternative communication options for prisoners.
  • The Prison Service's cessation of recording ligature incidents and unclear HMPPS guidance on the matter.
  • Suspension of offending behaviour programmes by HMPPS, which negatively impacted prisoners' sentence plans and parole applications.
2021 PRISON Concerns Rye Hill
Published 19 Aug 2021 · 656 prisoners
The IMB report for HMP Rye Hill (April 2020 – March 2021) details the prison's operation under COVID-19 restrictions, maintaining a safe and humane environment with commendations for case management and a prompt vaccination program. Key challenges included the significant impact of restrictions on IPP prisoner progression, insufficient mental health transfer places, and the need for broader education courses. The report also raised concerns about equality monitoring, the high threshold for upholding discrimination complaints, and ongoing difficulties with resettlement accommodation and Probation Service arrangements for released prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The progression of IPP prisoners, especially those extensively over-tariff, has been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, hindering their parole hearings.
  • There is insufficient access to appropriate secure hospital settings and specialist support for prisoners with significant mental health issues, including personality disorders.
  • The prison's education offerings need to include more personal and social development courses to support the progression of lower-risk prisoners not suitable for accredited programmes.
  • Concerns exist regarding the low number of discrimination incident reporting forms (DIRFs) being logged and upheld, indicating potential issues with the process or prisoner understanding.
2020 PRISON Concerns Holme House
Published 18 Aug 2021 · 1,200 prisoners
Self-harm: 728
The reporting year was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacting HMP Holme House's operations, leading to restricted regimes and reduced purposeful activity. While staff were commended for their initial pandemic response and improvements were seen in staff culture and complaint handling, key concerns persist. These include issues with decency standards, inadequate education provision, and persistent delays in mental health transfers and resolving police referrals, with the Board's monitoring capacity constrained by restrictions.
Key concerns identified
  • Unscreened WCs in cells, damaged floors, and poor quality showers remain significant decency concerns, a problem for several years and exacerbated by increased in-cell time.
  • The prisoner induction programme continues to be unsatisfactory and has deteriorated over the last four years.
  • Education provision suffered greatly during the pandemic, and there is a need for better education leading to improved resettlement outcomes.
  • Unacceptable delays persist in transferring seriously ill patients to mental health hospitals due to bed shortages.
  • Access to dental care is problematic, limited to emergencies, with a waiting list of around 200.
  • 182 outstanding police referrals, some dating back to 2018, remain unresolved, hindering justice for accused or victims.
  • Funding for necessary and previously approved repairs has not been made available expeditiously.
2021 PRISON Concerns Lowdham Grange
Published 17 Aug 2021 · 885 prisoners
Self-harm: 480 Assaults: 83 Staff assaults: 85
HMP Lowdham Grange operated a restricted regime throughout the year due to COVID-19, which impacted various aspects of prison life and the Board's monitoring capabilities. Despite these challenges, the prison was generally well-managed, maintaining safety with reduced violence, effective healthcare provision, and positive staff-prisoner relationships, though staff morale declined. Key concerns remain around mental health transfers, property management, drug availability, and the progression of IPP prisoners, as well as the overall impact of lockdown on wellbeing.
Key concerns identified
  • Significant delays in finding appropriate treatment and beds in secure mental health units, leading to extended segregation for mentally unwell prisoners.
  • Continued issues with the management of prisoners’ property during transfers between establishments.
  • The ongoing challenge of managing the import and availability of psychoactive substances and homemade alcohol.
  • Delays in the regular use and progression of body worn camera equipment by prison custody officers.
  • Lack of progress in schemes supporting IPP prisoners and assisting them towards parole or release.
  • The negative impact of prolonged lockdown periods on prisoners' mental health and emotional wellbeing.
2021 PRISON Concerns Moorland
Published 12 Aug 2021 · 955 prisoners
Self-harm: 373 Assaults: 60 Staff assaults: 27
HMP and YOI Moorland adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic with a restricted regime, leading to reductions in violence and self-harm, and high reported safety levels. However, it also resulted in significant limitations on education, work, and association, impacting prisoner mental wellbeing and progression. Persistent national challenges, such as a shortage of secure psychiatric beds and inadequate food budgeting, continue to hinder effective prisoner care and resettlement despite local efforts.
Key concerns identified
  • National shortage of secure psychiatric beds.
  • Insufficient suitable accommodation for released prisoners.
  • Backlog in the delivery of programmes identified in prisoners’ sentence plans.
  • Underutilisation of in-cell technology investment.
  • Daily budgetary allowance for food does not allow sufficient nutritional content.
  • Inadequate re-establishment of meaningful key worker sessions.
  • Insufficient attention to the progression and resettlement of IPP prisoners.
2020 PRISON Concerns Leeds
Published 11 Aug 2021
Self-harm: 675 Assaults: 170 Staff assaults: 95
HMP Leeds operated under a severely curtailed regime in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to prisoners spending 23 hours a day in cells. While this contributed to a reduction in violence and self-harm incidents, it exacerbated concerns regarding humane treatment in shared, small cells with integral toilets. Key challenges included a lack of mental health hospital places, inconsistent staff use of Body Worn Video Cameras, and staffing pressures in reception, alongside broader concerns about short sentences and the welfare of immigration detainees. The Board commended staff for their dedication in these trying circumstances.
Key concerns identified
  • Prisoners with significant mental health needs are held in prison, often in segregation, due to a lack of secure hospital beds and effective liaison and diversion schemes.
  • The degrading and unhygienic practice of prisoners sharing small cells designed for single occupancy, including eating next to integral toilet facilities.
  • Staff inconsistently use Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVCs) at the start of incidents involving use of force.
  • Disruptions and management problems caused by short, seven-day sentences, particularly for induction, healthcare, and resettlement.
  • Insufficient nursing resources in reception to manage the workload of processing new arrivals.
  • The plight of immigration detainees held in prison after completing their sentences, awaiting deportation decisions.
2021 PRISON Concerns Glasgow, Edinburgh and Larne House Short Term Holding Facilities
Published 10 Aug 2021
This report presents the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Larne House Short Term Holding Facilities for 2020-2021. Overall, detainees are treated respectfully by staff, but the Covid-19 pandemic exposed significant issues, including reactive Home Office guidance, inadequate social distancing, and delayed infrastructure improvements. Key concerns persist regarding healthcare provision (medication administration), disability access, and facility suitability, with numerous recommendations made to address these shortcomings.
Key concerns identified
  • Reactive Covid-19 guidance from the Home Office, leading to PPE delays, confusion over thermometer use, and late mandates for face masks.
  • Inadequate provision of fixed wall-mounted hand sanitisers in HRs, with portable ones deemed unsuitable.
  • Space limitations, lack of air circulation, and no windows in airport HRs making social distancing difficult and requiring reassessment of safe capacity.
  • The continued delay in relocating Edinburgh Airport Terminal 1 holding room to the new Terminal 2, leading to long walks for detainees through public areas and inefficient staff use.
  • Inadequate separation of female and male accommodation at Larne House STHF, with promised partitioning work still outstanding.
  • The unresolved issue of administering detainees' personal prescribed medication in airport HRs, raising significant health concerns.
  • DCOs in some locations lacking awareness of notable religious festivals.
  • Inaccessible toilet facilities for wheelchair users at Glasgow Airport HR and lack of hand grips in toilets at both Edinburgh and Glasgow Airport HRs, posing dignity and safety risks.
  • Absence of provisions for detainees with sight issues (e.g., Braille signs) and hearing loss (e.g., translation devices) in HRs.
  • Lack of airport arrival/departure screens in Edinburgh and Glasgow airport HRs, impacting DCO efficiency and discrete detainee boarding.
  • Inconsistent provision of jugs for water ablutions in HRs.
  • Home Office's non-acceptance of previous recommendation for a review of holding room adequacy (GLA and EDI) regarding air circulation and disability facilities.
  • Continued lack of showering facilities in EDI and GLA HRs for overnight use.
2020 PRISON Concerns Huntercombe
Published 6 Aug 2021 · 420 prisoners
Self-harm: 115 Assaults: 70
HMP Huntercombe, a Category C prison for foreign national men, successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic despite significant regime restrictions, with no deaths in custody and positive commendations for its healthcare team. The Board identified several areas for development, notably the unfairness of telephone charges and lack of in-cell telephony, and the concerning increase in time-served prisoners held under immigration powers. Issues surrounding meaningful vocational training and progression to open conditions for foreign national prisoners were also highlighted as key areas needing attention.
Key concerns identified
  • The lack of in-cell telephony throughout the prison and the high charges for telephone calls, particularly for overseas calls for foreign national prisoners, is unfair.
  • The increasing number of time-served prisoners held under immigration powers (IS91s) due to lack of accommodation or IRC spaces is unfair, inhumane, and creates tensions.
  • The lack of practical and vocational contracts prevents prisoners from gaining meaningful training and recognised international qualifications.
  • Delays in issuing IS91 notifications close to conditional release dates cause frustration and anxiety for prisoners.
  • The blanket decision regarding ineligibility for progression to open prison conditions for foreign national prisoners appears discriminatory and unfair.
  • Locating prisoners on ACCTs or with serious mental health issues in the segregation unit is not ideal, as Huntercombe is unequipped to provide better solutions.
  • Staff/prisoner/bullying issues were a concern, though the Board had limited ability to investigate this year.
2020 IRC Concerns Morton Hall IRC
Published 4 Aug 2021 · 113 prisoners
Self-harm: 62 Assaults: 26 Staff assaults: 16
Morton Hall IRC demonstrated a professional ethos and effective COVID-19 response in 2020, significantly reducing drug incidents and maintaining overall safety. However, the Board expressed concerns over persistent self-harm and assault incidents, prolonged detention times for some individuals, and delays in bail releases. Operational challenges included the continued closure of key facilities like the gym and faith centre, a low £1/hour pay rate for detainee work, and ongoing issues with night transfers between IRCs.
Key concerns identified
  • Incidents of self-harm, assaults, and altercations remain a concern.
  • Some detainees remain in detention for too long a time, and there are continued delays in releasing detainees, particularly those granted bail or classified as Level 3 Adults at Risk.
  • Gymnasium facilities and the faith centre remained closed even when open elsewhere, impacting wellbeing.
  • Education is not counted as 'purposeful activity' for pay, creating a disincentive for detainee engagement.
  • The £1 per hour pay rate for cleaning activities is considered too low and unfair, a concern repeated from the previous year.
  • Delays persist in the contractor Amey's response to kitchen equipment breakdowns.
  • Night moves between Immigration Removal Centres continue, which the Board believes is unnecessary.
2021 PRISON Concerns Norwich
Published 23 Jul 2021 · 710 prisoners
HMP/YOI Norwich, a multi-functional category B, C, D, and YOI prison, experienced significant operational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to severely restricted regimes. Key concerns include persistent overcrowding with inadequate toilet privacy, a severe rat infestation, and the lack of rehabilitative programmes for IPP prisoners. Despite strong local leadership and staff teamwork, issues such as staffing shortages, poor healthcare access, and inadequate induction processes remain pressing concerns for the Board.
Key concerns identified
  • The prison is overpopulated, and doubled-up cells lack essential toilet privacy, which is inhumane.
  • There is a severe and intolerable rat infestation across all three sites.
  • Prisoners are locked in their cells for approximately 22 hours daily, which the Board considers inhumane.
  • Inadequate staffing numbers persist, undermining the ability to run safe and stable regimes and hindering rehabilitative programmes.
  • Dental provision is inadequate, and GP access is difficult for prisoners; mental health caseloads are also very heavy.
  • There is no funding for accredited offending behaviour programmes, leaving IPP and long-term sentenced prisoners without avenues for progression towards release.
  • Covid-induced induction processes for new prisoners are brief, inadequate, and confusing.
  • The destruction of all original personal correspondence for security reasons raises concerns regarding proportionality under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
2021 PRISON Concerns The Mount
Published 21 Jul 2021 · 993 prisoners
Assaults: 120 Staff assaults: 57
This report covers a year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which HMP The Mount successfully contained the virus thanks to the commendable efforts of staff. However, severe restrictions on the regime meant prisoners spent significantly reduced time out of cells, impacting access to education, work, and family visits. Key concerns include mental health transfer delays, inadequate support for IPP prisoners, and delays in transfers to open conditions.
Key concerns identified
  • Long delays in transferring prisoners with mental health problems to suitable community units, impacting their wellbeing and straining untrained officers.
  • HMP The Mount is not equipped to support the 46 IPP prisoners effectively, leading to them being "warehoused".
  • Showers require further investment to reach an acceptable standard.
  • The recent transfer of healthcare responsibility caused significant disruption and a temporary decline in service quality.
  • Insufficient number of suitable workplaces for the prison's diverse population, including foreign nationals, disabled prisoners, and those on basic regime.
  • The planned rebuild of the reception area has been postponed again due to lack of funding.
  • Prisoners are being released without completing offending behaviour programmes from their sentence plans due to pandemic curtailments.
  • Significant delays (around 80 prisoners) in transferring Category D recategorised prisoners to open conditions, leading to disappointment and undermining motivation.
2021 PRISON Concerns Onley
Published 20 Jul 2021 · 645 prisoners
Self-harm: 184 Assaults: 49 Staff assaults: 71
HMP Onley successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a restricted regime that initially reduced violence and self-harm, though incidents began to rise late in the year. Prisoners generally experienced fair and humane treatment, and healthcare staffing issues were resolved. However, the pandemic severely impacted resettlement services, education, and purposeful activity, posing challenges for prisoners' progression and preparation for release.
Key concerns identified
  • Urgent need for increased capacity in Category D (open) prisons, especially in London/South East, as many HMP Onley prisoners are far from home, hindering resettlement.
  • Delays in prompt allocation and transfer of recategorised prisoners (Category C to B, or granted Category D status).
  • Lack of intimate partner violence courses, a regional issue needing a suitable training provider and potentially additional staff.
  • Urgent attention needed for funding and replacement of unfit windows in wings A-H, a repeated concern from previous reports.
  • Need to explore ways to retain long-standing officers within HMPPS due to losses to other careers, possibly by increasing local pay allowance.
  • HMP Onley needs to refocus on its training and resettlement purpose by engaging more industries for vocational qualifications.
  • Improve prisoner engagement in workshops and education to increase meaningful activity leading to qualifications or skills on release.
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