IMB Annual Reports

Norwich

Published 8 Jul 2020 · 745 prisoners

AI-generated report summary The IMB report for HMP/YOI Norwich (2019-2020) highlights a deterioration in many areas, including safety, decency, and purposeful activity, a view endorsed by HMIP. Key concerns include chronic understaffing, high levels of violence and self-harm, a prevalence of illicit substances, and substandard accommodation. Positive aspects noted are improved staff-prisoner relationships, better cleanliness, and enhanced resettlement support, but the prison remains under significant pressure in its multifunctional role.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

Insufficient staff numbers and experience, leading to duties not being fully carried out and poor behaviour not always challenged.
High levels of violence and self-harm, with inconsistent ACCT process quality and restricted access to Listeners/Samaritans.
Easy availability of illicit substances despite preventative measures, and difficulties in completing MDT tests.
Substandard and overcrowded accommodation, with a lack of basic items, dirty serveries, and poor property management.
Unsatisfactory attendance at purposeful activities, limited qualifications, and lack of offending behaviour programmes.
Deteriorated dentistry provision, increased waiting lists, cancelled GP clinics, and inappropriate housing of prisoners with complex mental health needs.
Lack of a national strategy for managing exceptionally disruptive, long-term segregated prisoners.
Unreliable and unsafe cell call bell system.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Lincoln

Published 3 Jul 2020 · 568 prisoners

Self-harm: 614

AI-generated report summary HMP Lincoln, a Category B local prison, generally treats prisoners fairly and humanely, with a predictable regime and improved cleanliness, according to the IMB's report for 2019-2020. Key improvements include reduced violence, better staff-prisoner relationships, and improved healthcare and education provision. However, significant concerns persist regarding the high level of self-harm, prisoner homelessness on release, and ongoing maintenance issues affecting accessibility and facilities.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

The Board remains concerned about the facilities and ease of access for prisoners with mobility issues, including the long-out-of-action main lift.
The continued high level of self-harm remains a significant concern for the Board.
Many prisoners still leave the prison to homelessness or no fixed abode.
Numerous repair and maintenance jobs across the establishment are dealt with tardily, causing cells to be out of use for long periods.
There is still a lack of closed-circuit television (CCTV) on E wing.
The exercise yard currently out of use has not been made available for prisoners again.
Prisoners allocated to kit distribution are often underemployed.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Hewell Grange

Published 2 Jul 2020 · 208 prisoners

Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 0 Staff assaults: 0

AI-generated report summary This report covers the final six months of HMP Hewell Grange as it underwent a planned closure, ceasing to hold prisoners by 31 March 2020. The Board found the prison generally safe and praised staff for their humane management of the closure, despite unacceptable living conditions. Healthcare provision was inconsistent, and purposeful activity was curtailed due to the closure, though efforts were made to minimise negative impacts on resettlement.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

Prisoners continued to be held in substandard accommodation with a deteriorating physical building and rodent issues prior to closure.
Prior to closure, the prison was poor in purposeful activity and rehabilitation planning for an open prison.
Healthcare provision was patchy and inconsistent, particularly for pharmacy and dentistry services.
There was no specific mental healthcare provided.
The specific characteristics and distinct needs of the prisoner population were not adequately reflected in discussions or met.
Facilities for disabled prisoners were limited, and access remained a significant difficulty.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Lindholme

Published 29 Jun 2020 · 984 prisoners

Self-harm: 602 Assaults: 227 Staff assaults: 97

AI-generated report summary HMP Lindholme is a Category C training prison with an operational capacity of 1,010. The report highlights improvements in security, segregation management, and some aspects of healthcare, including reduced GP waiting times. Key concerns persist regarding organised crime's impact on safety, substance misuse, delayed complaint responses, and the high number of IPP prisoners. Staffing, particularly for key worker roles and healthcare provision, continues to be an area requiring significant development.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

The continuing high proportion of prisoners with links to organised crime negatively impacts safety.
Delays in responding to prisoners' complaints and the lack of holding responses.
Persistent issues with substance misuse and the availability of illegal substances within the prison.
The unreliability of kitchen equipment, and the low per capita allowance leading to concerns about food quantity and variety.
The high number of IPP prisoners causing significant anxiety due to their indeterminate sentences.
Inadequate staffing levels within healthcare and broader challenges with staff recruitment and retention.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

The Mount

Published 26 Jun 2020 · 1,020 prisoners

AI-generated report summary The Independent Monitoring Board reports on HMP The Mount for 2019-2020, highlighting significant challenges stemming from chronic under-funding, which affects staffing, infrastructure, and rehabilitative opportunities. Despite these issues, the Board notes improvements in decency, security, and healthcare provision, commending staff efforts. Key concerns include the pervasive drug problem, insufficient Category D and IPP progression places, and the failure to embed new initiatives like the key worker scheme.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

The Prison Service has had its budgets reduced over the years, leading to shortages of staff, equipment and supplies, and of work opportunities for prisoners. This leads to complaints and frustration from the prisoners, causing prison staff unnecessary ongoing problems. Either major investment needs to be put into the service with some urgency or there needs to be a policy which prevents so many people being locked up.
There is a chronic shortage of spaces in open establishments, which often means that a prisoner waits many months for a place to be offered, and then sometimes is forced to take a place which is a long way from their home, which does not allow for proper family reintegration. More category D places need to be found, so that a proper progress through a prison sentence can be achieved.
The Mount has 44 prisoners serving Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection many of whom, if not all, have now been in prison for much longer than their tariffs. The Mount can offer these men very little to help them work towards release. They need to be in prisons where they can benefit from therapeutic communities or “progression regimes” such as that offered by HMP Warren Hill.
The availability of drugs continues to a central issue in many of the problems facing the prison, including criminality, violence, bullying and reoffending on release.
Many new and interesting initiatives are often started but not embedded, so fall by the wayside – for example, the key worker scheme. This issue needs to be addressed.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Heathrow Short Term Holding Facility

Published 16 Jun 2020

Self-harm: 1

AI-generated report summary This IMB report for Short Term Holding Facilities at London Heathrow, London City Airports, and Becket and Eaton House Reporting Centres (Feb 2019-Jan 2020) highlights concerns about the suitability of accommodation for longer stays and children, and overcrowding due to transport delays. Key issues include detainee access to medication and legal advice, the quality of DCO inductions and engagement, and challenges in Board monitoring of removals. While positive developments were noted in some areas, several critical recommendations from previous years remain unaddressed.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

Accommodation at Heathrow, London City, Becket House, and Eaton House is inadequate for longer stays and children, with some facilities experiencing overcrowding and unsatisfactory conditions.
Detainees are consistently denied access to their own prescribed and common non-prescription medication, posing a serious health risk.
Detainees at airports lack effective and timely access to independent legal advice, with advertised services being non-existent.
Use of restraints, particularly at Eaton House, is not consistently based on dynamic risk assessment.
DCO inductions are not consistently high-standard, especially regarding non-English speakers, and DCO engagement with detainees often minimal after initial induction.
Lack of Board capacity to routinely monitor removals due to new vehicles.
Showers are frequently closed for extended periods due to legionella concerns, and Terminal 5 lacks a shower facility.
Detainees lack direct access to Wi-Fi and the internet, hindering communication and interview preparation.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Lewes

Published 16 Jun 2020 · 551 prisoners

Self-harm: 369 Assaults: 236

AI-generated report summary This report covers HMP Lewes from February 2019 to January 2020. The Board is concerned about prisoner safety due to illicit items and frequent lockdowns, noting a worsened regime and often indecent accommodation. Healthcare suffered from staff shortages and long waiting times, while education, work, and resettlement efforts were hampered by lack of places and IPRC closures. Despite some positive initiatives, the Board maintains serious concerns regarding basic entitlements, mental health provision, and the overall humane treatment of prisoners.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

High availability of drugs and illicit items affecting prison stability and safety.
Residential accommodation often not decent, with basic entitlements (shoes, blankets, furniture, crockery) frequently unavailable.
Worsened regime with insufficient unlock hours and frequent lockdowns.
Healthcare services impacted by staff shortages, poor processes, and long waiting times for GP appointments.
Seriously mentally unwell prisoners kept in unsuitable accommodation and regime conditions.
Lack of work/education places, poor attendance, and unsuccessful implementation of the OMiC model.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Long Lartin

Published 3 Jun 2020

Self-harm: 450 Assaults: 57 Staff assaults: 120

AI-generated report summary HMP Long Lartin, a high-security prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year, marked by persistent staff shortages that negatively impacted regime provision and purposeful activity, with time out of cell often falling below HMIP expectations. The prison experienced an unacceptably high level of violence and self-harm for much of the year, though figures showed a reduction in the final four months. Long-standing issues, such as the lack of in-cell sanitation in four wings and an overcrowded segregation unit where prisoners with complex needs become 'stuck', remain key concerns for the Board.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

Persistent staff shortages negatively impacting safety, regime, and purposeful activity.
Unacceptably high population in the segregation unit, with prisoners "stuck" for extended periods due to lack of suitable alternatives for complex needs.
Continued lack of in-cell sanitation and running water in four wings, relying on the inadequate and degrading ‘Nightsan’ system.
Inadequate purposeful activity and time out of cell for prisoners, consistently below HMIP expectations, leading to boredom and frustration.
Poor safety data for the initial eight months of the reporting year, including high levels of violence against staff and serious incidents in segregation.
Serious backlog of jobs by the buildings maintenance contractor (Amey) and a kitchen that is no longer fit for purpose.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Leyhill

Published 2 Jun 2020 · 507 prisoners

AI-generated report summary HMP Leyhill, a Category D open prison, has demonstrated strong performance driven by a new community-focused dynamic, leading to improvements in facilities and resident engagement. However, the Board highlights persistent issues including significant delays in ablution refurbishment, the slow progression of IPP sentences, and insufficient approved premises hindering Release on Temporary Licence. Concerns also remain regarding night-time staffing levels and the recurring problem of lost prisoner property during transfers.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

Delay in refurbishment of ablutions in residential units (ongoing since 2016), leading to deteriorating conditions inconsistent with humane treatment.
Delays in the swift progression to conclusion for many prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP).
Lack of spaces in approved premises causing delays in Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) and hindering resettlement.
Unsatisfactory night-time staffing levels, raising concerns about the speed of response in acute incidents.
A recurring problem with property being lost prior to prisoners' arrival at Leyhill, which is unsettling during a crucial resettlement phase.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Maidstone

Published 29 May 2020 · 600 prisoners

Self-harm: 154 Assaults: 81 Staff assaults: 25

AI-generated report summary HMP Maidstone, a foreign national category C prison, faces significant challenges with its aging estate, staffing shortages leading to frequent lockdowns, and delays in critical projects like the segregation unit move and sports hall replacement. Despite these issues, staff commitment during COVID-19, improvements in communication via the community council, and good educational attendance are noted. Key concerns include the treatment of foreign nationals post-sentence, the state of the estate, and the need to improve complaints handling and staff retention.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

The continued failure to move the segregation unit from unsuitable accommodation, despite promises from the Minister.
A persistent lack of ring-fenced funds for essential projects like the sports hall and shower maintenance, with long delays.
Inadequate communication and slow timescales from HOIE regarding outcomes for foreign national prisoners, prolonging uncertainty.
High and unimproved staff absence rates (15%+) leading to increased pressure, frequent lockdowns, and ineffective OMiC implementation.
The ongoing absence of a sports hall for over three years, with only a small gym for over 600 prisoners.
Continued issues with prisoner lost property and property not being delivered from other prisons, causing stress for deportees.
Unresolved issues surrounding inadequate Muslim prayer facilities due to increased worshipper numbers.
The need to review and significantly improve the prison's complaints system and healthcare complaints system.
The discriminatory practice of holding foreign nationals who have served their sentences under normal prison rules due to HOIE interest, without clear end dates.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Onley

Published 28 Apr 2020 · 730 prisoners

Self-harm: 319

AI-generated report summary HMP Onley experienced a challenging year with a restricted regime, largely due to staffing shortages, though improvements were seen towards the end. Key concerns include significant issues with property transfers, a dysfunctional complaints process, and a lack of purposeful activity leading to prisoners spending extended periods in their cells. The Board highlights persistent problems with resettlement progression, including missing OASys reports and slow transfers, alongside concerns about drug availability, self-harm incidents, and the general state of the estate. While staff-prisoner relationships improved and the OMiC model showed promise, the report calls for urgent action on staffing, regime provision, and inmate progression.

AI-generated summary of key concerns

Persistent issues with lost property during transfers and an inadequate, poorly responded-to complaints system.
A significant proportion of prisoners are not engaged in purposeful activity and spend excessive time locked in cells, unacceptable for a training prison.
Ongoing staffing challenges, including the inexperience of new officers, retention issues due to uncompetitive pay, and inadequate key worker engagement.
Critical shortcomings in resettlement preparation, such as missing OASys reports, inconsistent recategorisation processes, and slow transfers to Category D prisons.
Deteriorating estate conditions, including poor cleanliness, a persistent rat infestation, and chronically broken kitchen equipment.
Continuing problems with drug trade and usage, and a high number of self-harm incidents prompting calls for action.

Report year 2020 PRISON Concerns

Year	Reports
2020	129
2021	126
2022	132
2023	134
2024	133
2025	128
2026	29

Annual reports

Establishment types

Reports by year

Key findings

IMB reports by establishment type
Establishment type	Reports
Prison	789
IRC	22