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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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2024 PRISON Concerns Hewell
Published 8 Jan 2025 · 1,033 prisoners
Self-harm: 1,033 Assaults: 302 Staff assaults: 173
HMP Hewell, a local Category B prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year, including persistent crowding and a high remand population. Despite these pressures, the IMB noted dedicated efforts by staff to maintain a safe and humane regime, introducing positive initiatives like 'here to help' mentors and a prison council. Key concerns remain around increased self-harm and violence, the lack of IT for prisoners, and inadequate mental health and family contact provisions, many of which are recurrent issues.
Key concerns identified
  • Persistent court backlogs leading to increased and prolonged remand populations.
  • Significant increase in self-harm and violence incidents, exacerbated by crowding and cell sharing.
  • Lack of adequate mental health services and suitable environments for unwell prisoners.
  • The outdated prison estate, including critical equipment past its design life and lift outages impacting vulnerable prisoners.
  • Absence of IT systems for prisoners, leading to inefficiencies and reduced skill development.
  • The abandonment of key working due to population pressures and staffing challenges.
  • Inadequate family contact provisions, including insufficient social visit sessions and the lack of a child contact room and basic visitor refreshments.
2024 PRISON Concerns Hatfield
Published 19 Dec 2024
Self-harm: 0 Staff assaults: 0
HMP Hatfield maintains a high standard as a Category D prison, with a focus on safety, positive staff-prisoner relationships, and excellent resettlement outcomes, including high employment rates post-release. Key concerns persist regarding the impact of wider prison population pressures, maintenance discrepancies at the Lakes site, and delays in estate improvements like the multi-faith centre. The Board notes a recurring issue with prisoners' reluctance to apply to the IMB due to fears of being returned to closed conditions.
Key concerns identified
  • The impact of prison population pressures on Category D prisons and their resettlement programmes.
  • Prioritisation of maintenance work at Hatfield Lakes site due to management by an adjoining prison.
  • Discrepancies in available accommodation quality within the prison, particularly concerning refurbishment at the Lakes.
  • Potential difficulty in continuing staff initiatives due to increased prison population changes.
  • Ongoing need for continuation of bathroom facilities refurbishment, particularly at the Lakes where some ablutions are not fit for use.
  • Ongoing completion of the new 'anti-dash' fence to improve security against illicit items.
  • Delay in the commencement of the new multi-faith centre until 2025.
  • Prisoners' reluctance to make applications to the IMB and a pervasive belief that complaints or DIRFs lead to return to closed conditions, despite data showing no correlation.
2024 PRISON Concerns Scotland and Northern Ireland Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
Published 18 Dec 2024 · 2,083 prisoners
Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 1 Staff assaults: 1
This report highlights significant shortcomings in the Short-term Holding Facilities (STHFs) in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Key issues include a failure to separate men and women at Larne House, inadequate accommodation, and inconsistent healthcare provision often leading to the removal of essential medication. Detainees frequently face unnecessarily long stays due to systemic inefficiencies, coupled with a lack of transparency and accessibility challenges across the estate.
Key concerns identified
  • Men and women remained detained together at Larne House, despite previous recommendations and Home Office acceptance, indicating a failure in safety culture.
  • Accommodation at airport and reporting centre holding rooms is unsuitable, lacking natural light, ventilation, privacy, and adequate sleeping facilities.
  • Healthcare provision is inconsistent and varies by location, with serious risks posed by the continued removal of prescription medication from detainees.
  • Detainees are held for longer than necessary due to systemic inefficiencies in organising asylum accommodation and transfers.
  • Facilities are not fully accessible for wheelchair users or individuals with sensory/non-visible disabilities.
  • The Home Office lacks transparency in publishing performance metrics, internal assurance, and contract monitoring activities.
  • Late-night moves involving families and children, particularly via taxis, raise concerns about potential medical emergencies.
2024 PRISON Concerns Bure
Published 17 Dec 2024 · 641 prisoners
Self-harm: 167 Assaults: 56 Staff assaults: 18
HMP Bure is a Category C prison for men convicted of sexual offenses, housing 641 prisoners with an operational capacity of 643. The IMB found it to be a generally calm and safe environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and well-supported elderly prisoners. Key concerns include the lack of work and purposeful activity opportunities for the current population, the need for IPP re-sentencing, and insufficient funding for resettlement services. The Board also noted an increase in self-harm incidents and issues with archaic adjudication recording.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing issue of re-sentencing IPP prisoners, many held beyond their tariffs, with previous responses deemed inadequate.
  • The absence of a national minimum wage for prisoners, leading to disparities in pay versus canteen costs.
  • Insufficient work and activity opportunities for the existing prisoner population, with concerns about further increases in numbers without corresponding provision.
  • The lack of additional funding for the Prison Employment Lead despite Bure performing resettlement functions, unlike designated resettlement prisons.
  • The absence of CCTV in the prison, contributing to some prisoners feeling unsafe.
  • The archaic, longhand recording method for adjudications, hindering Governor observation and communication, and the need for audio/visual recording.
  • An observed increase in self-harm incidents that requires investigation by the prison.
  • Continued underuse of education and workshop classes due to conflicting healthcare appointments and activities.
  • Prisoner confusion regarding property rules, particularly for items like Xboxes, requiring clearer communication on reception.
2024 PRISON Concerns Whatton
Published 13 Dec 2024 · 849 prisoners
HMP Whatton, a Category C training prison for sex offenders, had an average population of 849 during the reporting year. The Board observed generally positive prisoner-staff relationships, improvements in healthcare staffing, and good access to purposeful activity with 758 workspaces. However, key concerns include the unsuitability of B wing accommodation, long waits for specialist courses, the disproportionate number of IPP prisoners, and challenges in securing employment for sex offenders post-release.
Key concerns identified
  • The disproportionate number of IPP prisoners at Whatton and the lack of policy review to support their wellbeing and morale.
  • The inadequacy and delayed improvements of B wing accommodation, which is not fit for purpose with issues in size, ventilation, heating, and in-cell toilets.
  • Long waiting lists and delays for prisoners to access specialist courses, potentially impacting their release dates.
  • The difficulty in finding suitable employment placements for prisoners convicted of sexual offences upon release, leading to low employment rates.
  • The practice of gathering visitors outside the security area and allowing entry as a group, which may not offer the full amount of time for the actual visit with the prisoner.
  • The excessive detention of prisoners with severe mental health problems in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) while awaiting transfer to specialist facilities, with one case noted at 80 days.
  • The old and concerning fabric of healthcare facilities, particularly the narrow corridors causing issues for medicine collection queues.
  • Staffing shortages in offender management, with only three case workers handling 200 cases when eight are typically required.
  • Limited awareness among prisoners of how their allocated activities align with their long-term goals.
  • A large percentage of applications from prisoners relating to property lost or not arriving during transfers.
2023 PRISON Concerns Kirkham
Published 12 Dec 2024 · 696 prisoners
Self-harm: 5 Assaults: 10 Staff assaults: 2
HMP Kirkham faced unprecedented challenges in 2023, primarily due to the Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation Scheme (TPRS) which led to a significant influx of prisoners and placed immense pressure on staff, resources, and the prison's resettlement-focused regime. While the Board noted staff's resilience and improvements in some areas like healthcare waiting times and new facilities, key concerns included increased assaults, persistent illicit substance issues, and significant disruption to purposeful activities and resettlement services. Staffing shortages exacerbated these problems, leading to curtailment of activities and impacting crucial offender management processes.
Key concerns identified
  • Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults increased during the reporting year.
  • Large numbers of prisoners were returned to closed conditions, including from the TPRS scheme.
  • Ongoing issues with illicit substances persisted despite enhanced security measures.
  • The Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation Scheme (TPRS) severely impacted the regime, resettlement services, and staff capacity.
  • Purposeful activities and access to education were curtailed due to low staff numbers and redeployments.
  • Prisoners expressed concerns about sentence progression and lack of communication.
  • Issues with building maintenance, including heating, hot water, and the need to remove unused buildings for safety.
  • Lack of in-cell telephony prevented confidential prisoner conversations.
  • Workload on the Offender Management Unit (OMU) from TPRS and ROTL processes hindered progression.
  • A number of prisoners were released without settled accommodation for the first time, often due to minimal resettlement planning for TPRS arrivals.
2024 PRISON Concerns Birmingham
Published 11 Dec 2024 · 988 prisoners
HMP Birmingham, a busy local reception prison, has made significant progress in safety and decency since 2018, attributed to strong leadership, though future leadership stability is a key concern. The Board highlights issues with poor prison fabric, high use of force, and persistent self-harm and violence. Concerns include inhumane cell sharing due to a lack of single cells, long remand times, inadequate kit provision, and staffing problems in healthcare and key working, despite overall improved staff availability. The report also notes positive developments in neurodiversity support, reduced canteen complaints, and proactive healthcare recruitment.
Key concerns identified
  • The Board is very concerned about future leadership and the need for high-calibre leadership to maintain progress.
  • Poor prison fabric, including leaking roofs, failed heating, broken lifts, and overdue shower refurbishments, significantly impacts prisoner morale and access.
  • Disproportionate use of force against black and mixed-ethnic prisoners, and generally high use of force compared to comparator prisons, remains a significant concern.
  • High levels of self-harm and violence persist, and there were five deaths in custody during the reporting year.
  • A critical shortage of single cells leads to inhumane cell sharing and inadequate time out of cell for many prisoners, posing a safety risk.
  • Ongoing challenges in securing adequate provision of basic kit (clothes, bedding, towels) for prisoners, particularly in the first night centre.
  • The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) inappropriately houses vulnerable and neurodiverse prisoners for whom no suitable alternatives exist.
  • Extreme pressure on secure mental health beds in the region results in long waiting times for transfers and prevents the acceptance of mental health prisoners from other establishments.
  • Chronic staffing problems in primary care, an over-reliance on agency staff, and severe staff shortages in drug and alcohol treatment teams negatively impact healthcare delivery.
  • Too many prisoners spend excessive time on remand and many sentenced prisoners remain at HMP Birmingham when they should have progressed to other establishments, hindering rehabilitative work and family relationships.
  • The prison is failing to meet its target for key working sessions, with only 38% of prisoners receiving weekly sessions on average.
2024 PRISON Concerns Bristol
Published 10 Dec 2024 · 579 prisoners
Self-harm: 906 Assaults: 211 Staff assaults: 119
HMP Bristol has made notable improvements in safety, regime consistency, and purposeful activity during the reporting year, with reductions in deaths in custody, self-harm, and violence. Staffing levels have reached full establishment, contributing to these positive changes. However, significant challenges persist, including severe overcrowding, limited mental health support for the general population, and issues with the physical environment, particularly a lack of in-cell sanitation in one wing. Resettlement support, the prevalence of illicit items, and the need for better IT infrastructure also remain key concerns for the Board.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding and the poor physical environment, including the lack of in-cell sanitation on B wing, in the Victorian prison.
  • Insufficient support for prisoners on release, particularly regarding accommodation and community services, contributing to reoffending and recalls.
  • Limited mental health services, which primarily focus on the most serious cases, leaving many prisoners without adequate support.
  • The need for ongoing support for staff retention and regular recruitment to maintain improved staffing levels and prevent future shortfalls.
  • The absence of essential information technology for prisoners, which hinders online applications, increases frustrations with paper systems, and consumes staff time.
  • The high prevalence of illicit items contributing to safety issues, debt, self-harm, and violence, requiring additional resources to tackle.
  • Inconsistent and untimely provision of reports and information to the IMB, which impedes monitoring activities.
  • Concerns regarding the adequacy of the healthcare contract with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in meeting the diverse needs of prisoners.
  • Key working is currently focused only on high-risk prisoners and is not yet available for the entire prisoner population.
2024 PRISON Concerns Portland
Published 6 Dec 2024 · 500 prisoners
Self-harm: 759 Assaults: 252
HMP/YOI Portland continued to face significant challenges during the reporting year, primarily due to staff shortages and overcrowding, which impacted regime delivery and the reintroduction of double cells. Violence and self-harm incidents increased substantially, although measures to improve safety and reduce illicit substances showed some positive results. Healthcare staffing improved, but mental health provision and transfers remained a concern, while resettlement efforts were severely strained by poorly implemented early release schemes.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding, leading to doubling up in cells designed for one individual, impacts decency and the ability to transfer prisoners for training.
  • Serious shortcomings in HMPPS management of the poorly planned early release scheme, relying on overworked OMU staff without increased resources.
  • The Prison Service struggles to attract staff due to uncompetitive remuneration, training, and professional development.
  • Protracted waits for mental health transfers and inadequate mental health staffing to treat the high caseload.
  • Poor service from external suppliers, particularly Serco, impacting prisoner transport and transfers.
  • Inadequate accommodation to segregate different prisoner cohorts appropriately.
  • Ventilation issues on Beaufort wing during hot weather and the closure of in-house laundry facilities remain unaddressed due to lack of funding.
  • Key work sessions have not increased for all prisoners due to staffing shortages, limiting relationship building between prisoners and staff.
2024 PRISON Concerns Chelmsford
Published 5 Dec 2024
Self-harm: 884 Assaults: 195 Staff assaults: 167
HMP Chelmsford, a category B local prison, faced significant challenges during the reporting year ending August 2024, particularly with overcrowding affecting 69% of its population and leading to poor conditions in older wings. While the prison saw a reduction in self-harm incidents towards the end of the year and staff were commended for managing gym facilities, use of force incidents increased, and access to healthcare remained a major concern with substantial waiting times. Processes for safeguarding prisoner property and approving telephone PINs were consistently problematic, hindering rehabilitation and family contact, although the introduction of the Launchpad system was a notable success.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding, with 69% of prisoners sharing single cells, contributing to damp and mouldy conditions in the Victorian wings.
  • Poor processes for safeguarding prisoners' property, particularly during internal transfers, leading to significant losses and lack of accountability.
  • Significant challenges in accessing healthcare, including lengthy waiting lists for opticians and general practitioners, and delays in mental health transfers.
  • The continued high level and increase in use of force incidents.
  • Haphazard and delayed awarding of educational and work qualifications, alongside limited meaningful activity for some prisoners.
  • Slow and unsatisfactory telephone PIN approval processes, hindering essential family contact.
2024 PRISON Concerns Dartmoor
Published 4 Dec 2024 · 648 prisoners
The report for HMP Dartmoor covers a year dominated by uncertainty and eventual temporary closure due to elevated Radon gas levels, leading to extensive prisoner decanting. While initial safety metrics remained low and in-cell phones improved wellbeing, the period was marked by delayed decision-making from HMPPS, significant estate deterioration, and challenges in maintaining a consistent regime and purposeful activity for the fluctuating population. Healthcare provision, despite a new provider, faced issues with staffing, 24-hour care, and external waiting times, while the Board expressed strong concerns about the lack of accountability from Ministers regarding previously raised recommendations.
Key concerns identified
  • Uncertainty over the future of HMP Dartmoor and lack of communication, highlighting delayed HMPPS response to Radon gas risks and potential non-compliance with safety regulations.
  • Persistent issues with Ministerial accountability, including overdue strategies (Ageing Population) and reports (IPP), and a perceived lack of credibility in responses to IMB findings.
  • Deterioration of the prison estate (damp, mould, pests) and the continued inhumane practice of double-celling.
  • Significant challenges in healthcare, including long waits for external appointments, lack of 24-hour care, and difficulties matching services to an ageing population, exacerbated by population changes.
  • An inconsistent and often poor regime, with many prisoners not engaged in purposeful activity, affected by staffing shortages in education and industries, and arbitrary time out of cell.
  • A lack of confidence in the discrimination reporting system and ongoing problems with the timeliness and quality of responses to prisoner complaints.
2023 PRISON Concerns Leeds
Published 3 Dec 2024
HMP Leeds, a Category B local prison, faced significant challenges in 2023, particularly regarding overcrowding, which impacted shared cell conditions, and a concerning number of deaths in custody. The Board highlighted persistent issues with mental health provision, including transfer delays and a lack of secure beds, alongside ongoing concerns for IPP prisoners' progress and wellbeing. Staffing shortages and inexperience also posed challenges, affecting prisoner reception and key worker continuity, although efforts to improve training and staff-prisoner relationships in specific units were noted.
Key concerns identified
  • The high number of deaths in custody, designating HMP Leeds a ‘cluster’ site.
  • Persistent overcrowding, leading to undignified shared cells with inadequate ventilation, temperature control, and privacy, a concern highlighted for many years.
  • Lack of clarity and progress for IPP prisoners, resulting in feelings of hopelessness and negative impacts on their mental health, a repeated concern.
  • Significant delays and insufficient suitable places for mental health transfers, with the gatekeeping process often exceeding 14 days.
  • Illicit drugs continue to be a concern within the prison.
  • Staffing issues, including new staff lacking experience, some using inappropriate language, and the OMU being under-complement, affect prisoner support and management.
2024 PRISON Concerns Bronzefield
Published 29 Nov 2024 · 517 prisoners
Self-harm: 2,495 Assaults: 301
Bronzefield faced significant challenges in the reporting year, primarily due to severe staff shortages impacting all aspects of the regime, leading to prisoners being locked up for extended periods and missing activities. Healthcare delivery was suboptimal due to lack of staff and poor coordination, resulting in medication delays and cancelled appointments. The prison also grappled with a high incidence of self-harm and challenges in managing complex, mentally unwell prisoners, compounded by external bed shortages.
Key concerns identified
  • Staff shortages severely impact services, leading to curtailed regimes, missed activities, and inability to meet key worker session targets.
  • Poor collaboration and 'silo' working among healthcare providers, exacerbated by lack of GPs and nurses, result in sub-optimal care and dangerous medication delays.
  • High incidence of self-harm and challenges in managing complex, acutely mentally unwell prisoners, compounded by bed shortages in secure psychiatric hospitals.
  • Significant problems with the prisoner complaints system, with lengthy delays undermining prisoner confidence.
  • An unworkable new property policy and persistent backlogs cause distress and frustration for prisoners.
  • Roll count is regularly late and inaccurate, negatively impacting the regime and security of the prison.
2023 PRISON Concerns Swansea
Published 28 Nov 2024
HMP Swansea is considered a safe prison, commendably addressing initial self-harm incidents and demonstrating good staff-prisoner relationships. However, it faces persistent challenges with severe overcrowding, inadequate disability access, and significant delays in estate maintenance. Staffing issues have impacted key worker sessions and purposeful activity, while mental health and post-release accommodation remain key concerns requiring targeted interventions and better funding.
Key concerns identified
  • The ineffectiveness of Amey Projects has led to significant problems with major works and cell refurbishment, impacting the estate and work opportunities.
  • Persistent overcrowding, with two men sharing single cells and inadequate disability access, continues to be a major concern.
  • The education and activities department has struggled due to staff suspensions, and key worker sessions are significantly down, impacting purposeful activity.
  • Mental health of prisoners, particularly those on short-term sentences, remains a major concern, alongside inconsistent funding for addiction programmes.
  • Post-release accommodation is a significant problem, and the bail information pilot has stalled due to lack of staff.
  • IMB members are frequently unable to observe Good Order and Discipline (GOoD) reviews due to inconsistent scheduling, and there is insufficient use of The Big Word translation service.
2024 PRISON Concerns Bedford
Published 27 Nov 2024 · 370 prisoners
Self-harm: 484
HMP Bedford, a Category B YOI, continues to face significant challenges including persistent overcrowding and an inconsistent induction process, despite some improvements in wing cleanliness and key worker implementation. The report highlights serious concerns regarding healthcare, characterized by poor communication and a decline in drug rehabilitation services. Security remains an issue with illicit items readily entering the prison, and high levels of assaults on staff, although recent improvements are noted. The Board also raises concerns about the unaddressed needs of its large remand population, the lack of digital infrastructure, and disproportionate adjudications.
Key concerns identified
  • The induction process remains inconsistent and limited in its effectiveness, with 38% of prisoners reporting no induction and 35% finding it poor.
  • The prison remains overcrowded, with two men sharing small cells and toilet, which the Board considers inhumane, and cells are often in poor condition and not properly cleaned.
  • There is a lack of effective communication from healthcare to prisoners, leading to frustration, missed appointments, and a perception by 75% of prisoners that the service is poor and slow.
  • Group and individual drug rehabilitation work is no longer carried out, leading to a deterioration in this service.
  • It appears easy for drugs and other illicit items to enter the prison, with at least one find reported every day on average.
  • Prisoners still spend too much time locked in their cells, with around half spending over 20 hours per day in their cell.
  • The relocation of the segregation unit (CSU) was significantly delayed (18 months) and beset by design and construction flaws.
  • There is a disproportionate representation of Black, Asian, other ethnic minority prisoners, and those from the Traveller community in adjudications.
  • There has been no progress in the provision of digital kiosks, and the paper-based property system remains unfit for purpose.
  • HMP Bedford’s strategy for remand prisoners has not been implemented, despite its positive elements.
  • Violence towards staff has been very high for most of the reporting year, although it has improved in recent months.
  • The education curriculum is contracting, with an insistence on providing maths and English at the expense of music and art, which may not suit the elective nature of a remand prison.
  • Only three of the five workshops are able to provide activities, limiting vocational training and work opportunities.
  • There is a concerning lack of access for the IMB to healthcare managers.
2024 PRISON Concerns Altcourse
Published 26 Nov 2024 · 1,171 prisoners
Self-harm: 850
HMP Altcourse experienced a contract transfer to Sodexo in June 2023, leading to initial staffing challenges that have largely been addressed. The Board commends staff for maintaining safety amidst population pressures and notes improvements in mental healthcare and a successful reading strategy. Key concerns include the kitchen's inadequacy, lack of education in CSU, delays in mental health transfers, and the impact of early release schemes on resettlement and accommodation provision.
Key concerns identified
  • Late arrival of prisoners, particularly from out-of-area courts, increasing pressure on reception.
  • Increased prison population making safe location of vulnerable prisoners and those with gang affiliations more challenging.
  • Concerns that Pava incapacitant spray and batons may detract from good staff/prisoner relations.
  • The kitchen being unfit for purpose, given the increased population and prisoner concerns about food quality and quantity.
  • Lack of education provision for prisoners in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
  • Mentally unwell men held in CSU due to insufficient beds in secure facilities.
  • Staffing shortages leading to difficulties escorting prisoners to outside hospital appointments.
  • Ongoing challenges engaging short-term prisoners in substance misuse management.
  • Disappointment at the loss of vocational workshops and failure to deliver a planned workshop.
  • Disappearance of a dedicated family unit and lack of a visits hall creche impacting family relationships.
  • Government early release schemes exacerbating pressures on Offender Management and Resettlement teams, leading to more prisoners released without accommodation.
2024 PRISON Concerns Ashfield
Published 19 Nov 2024 · 407 prisoners
Self-harm: 69 Assaults: 7 Staff assaults: 0
HMP Ashfield, a Category C training and treatment centre for men convicted of sexual offences, has demonstrated an impressive safety record with significant reductions in self-harm and violence. The prison has managed a period of uncertainty due to contract changes well, ensuring good standards of accommodation, healthcare, and key working, which has been externally recognised as an exemplar. However, challenges remain, including delays in ministerial decisions on transfers, difficulties in securing resettlement places, and prisoner dissatisfaction with movement restrictions, which are perceived to make Ashfield feel more like a Category B prison.
Key concerns identified
  • Delays in Secretary of State decisions for open conditions transfers for life-sentenced and IPP prisoners.
  • Lack of suitable accommodation for a small number of prisoners on release.
  • Prisons not routinely informed of reoffending data post-release.
  • Limited number of resettlement prisons accepting people convicted of sexual offences.
  • Lack of systematic monitoring and quality assurance for incentives policy application and consistency in awarding positive comments.
  • Need for review of movement restrictions and clear communication of rationale.
  • Assurances needed for adequate resourcing and staffing of the equality and diversity department under the new contract.
2023 PRISON Concerns Brixton
Published 15 Nov 2024 · 759 prisoners
HMP Brixton, a Category C resettlement prison, experienced significant overcrowding, housing 759 prisoners against an operational capacity of 798. While healthcare saw improvements with reduced waiting times and a new care model, core issues like inadequate accommodation, persistent vermin, and high levels of contraband remain. The Board also highlighted severe limitations in purposeful activity and education, exacerbated by overcrowding, hindering the prison's resettlement function.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding resulted in restricted regimes and the inappropriate accommodation of general population prisoners on the vulnerable prisoners' wing.
  • The prison lacks facilities to adequately support persistent self-harmers, and transfer options to appropriate facilities are severely limited.
  • Despite significant efforts, the amount of contraband, particularly NPS, entering the establishment remains high.
  • Prisoner accommodation is inadequate, being too small, old, dilapidated, and unsuitable for two men sharing.
  • Vermin, particularly rats, are a continuing and constant presence despite extermination efforts.
  • The number, range, and standard of educational and training opportunities are insufficient for the prison population, impacting resettlement.
  • Significant infrastructure improvements are urgently required across the prison.
2024 PRISON Concerns Stoke Heath
Published 14 Nov 2024 · 782 prisoners
Self-harm: 400 Assaults: 139 Staff assaults: 0
HMP/YOI Stoke Heath saw positive developments in education and purposeful activity, leading to increased prisoner satisfaction and a significant drop in unemployment. The key worker scheme improved contact, and healthcare benefited from paramedics and a successful hepatitis C elimination. However, the Board noted a concerning rise in self-harm, assaults, well as issues with cramped living conditions, an aging estate, and limited mental health therapy. Persistent problems with property transfers and an under-resourced offender management unit also remained key concerns.
Key concerns identified
  • Rise in self-harm incidents, prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, and drug use.
  • Cramped and inhumane living conditions in double cells with a lack of privacy.
  • Ageing prison estate, particularly the main kitchen floor (health and safety risk) and the outdated healthcare building.
  • Limited therapy provision and narrow range of interventions from the new secondary mental health contract.
  • Increased complaints about healthcare, specifically long waiting times for dental care, opiate medication, and external hospital appointments.
  • Persistent issues with property loss and damage during transfers between prisons.
  • Under-resourced Offender Management Unit leading to lack of prisoner contact.
  • Inconvenient social video call times for prisoners to contact families.
  • Lack of a meaningful progression plan for IPP prisoners.
  • Insufficient resourcing from the Minister to prevent overcrowding and adequately educate/skill prisoners.
2024 PRISON Concerns Nottingham
Published 13 Nov 2024
Self-harm: 898 Assaults: 296 Staff assaults: 114
HMP Nottingham, a Category B adult male and YOI establishment, has an operational capacity of 950. The reporting year saw increases in self-harm incidents (898), prisoner assaults (296), staff assaults (114), and use of force (760), with two deaths in custody. The Board raises concerns about restricted time out of cell, particularly for vulnerable prisoners, persistent healthcare staff shortages impacting provision, and insufficient capacity for mental health transfers. Positive developments include improved food quality, a new neurodiversity lead, and reduced IMB applications.
Key concerns identified
  • Increased assaults on prisoners and staff, and a significant rise in self-harm incidents.
  • Persistent lack of suitable mental health provision and transfer capacity.
  • Restricted time out of cell and low engagement in purposeful activity.
  • High proportion of inexperienced staff and limited effectiveness of key worker scheme.
  • Loss of prisoner property on transfer and issues with inter-establishment complaints.
  • Impact of wider prison estate capacity issues on transfers and resettlement planning.
2024 PRISON Concerns Sudbury
Published 8 Nov 2024 · 507 prisoners
Self-harm: 5 Assaults: 6 Staff assaults: 3
HMP/YOI Sudbury, an open Category D resettlement prison, ended its reporting year with 507 prisoners. The report notes no deaths in custody and low self-harm incidents but highlights recurring concerns regarding the poor standard of dormitory accommodation and significant issues with prisoner property loss on transfer. While commendations are made for effective resettlement programs and improved complaint responses, the Board calls for improvements in digital connectivity, broader activity provision, and more consistent staff contact, particularly for new arrivals.
Key concerns identified
  • Poor standard of dormitory accommodation and insufficient kitchen appliances (lack of halal-specific microwaves).
  • Lack of sufficient support for prisoners adjusting to open conditions and poor contact with Initial Point of Contact (IPOC) officers.
  • Very little progress in improving technical connectivity (Wi-fi) to support learning and resettlement.
  • Loss of prisoner property on transfer remains a significant and recurring source of concern.
  • Inconsistencies and lack of communication from OMU staff in processing ROTL applications.
  • Lack of activities for prisoners outside usual working hours, leading to boredom, and the limited range of existing activities.
  • Education and training offer needs to be broadened and refreshed to reflect modern employment opportunities.
2024 PRISON Concerns Peterborough (men)
Published 7 Nov 2024
Self-harm: 436 Assaults: 184 Staff assaults: 97
HMP/YOI Peterborough (Men) is a category B remand, local and reception/resettlement prison run by Sodexo Justice Services, with an operational capacity of 944. The reporting year was challenging due to population pressures, staff shortages, and management changes, resulting in a restricted regime and impacted prisoner morale. Despite efforts to maintain safety, concerns persist regarding purposeful activity, healthcare provision, and the quality of key work.
Key concerns identified
  • The adverse impact of population pressures, staff shortages, management changes, and lack of good-quality, purposeful activity on prisoners, leading to restricted regime, curtailed exercise, and poor morale.
  • Gaps in how the healthcare unit deals with patient complaints and a lack of communication addressing prisoners’ concerns, with healthcare being the principal reason for IMB applications.
  • Inconsistent delivery of key work to the required standard.
  • A very long waiting list for mental healthcare provision, and the prison was without a psychiatrist for much of the reporting year.
  • Too many prisoners with severe mental health issues having to be restricted in the healthcare unit, or segregated in the care and separation unit, often for long periods.
  • Managers’ responses to complaints are too often considered to be incomplete, terse and dismissive.
2024 PRISON Concerns Peterborough (women)
Published 7 Nov 2024
Self-harm: 1,355 Assaults: 47 Staff assaults: 109
HMP/YOI Peterborough (Women) struggled significantly with a lack of decent regime and severe staffing shortages during the reporting year, impacting prisoner morale and increasing violence. While management of self-harm and staff-prisoner relations remained commendable, issues with the new healthcare provider regarding medication, complaints, and mental health waiting lists persisted. The Board expressed strong concerns about the slow progress on mental health legislation and the critical need for improved purposeful activity and resettlement accommodation for women.
Key concerns identified
  • The pervasive lack of a decent and rehabilitative regime, with frequent curtailment of time out of cell and disproportionate facility closures in the women's prison.
  • Severe staff shortages, high sickness levels, and instability in both frontline and management teams, impacting all aspects of prison life.
  • Ongoing challenges with the new healthcare provider, including staffing, timely medication, and a significant number of unresolved patient complaints.
  • The persistent poor quality and insufficient provision of education, work, and skills opportunities.
  • Delays in the enactment of the Mental Health Bill and a continued lack of suitable approved accommodation for women on release.
2024 PRISON Concerns Buckley Hall
Published 6 Nov 2024 · 444 prisoners
HMP Buckley Hall, a Category C training prison, has seen improvements in healthcare provision and staff-prisoner relationships. However, the report highlights significant concerns including persistent security weaknesses, frequent regime disruptions due to staff shortages, and the deteriorating state of the prison’s infrastructure. The Board is particularly worried about the high levels of self-harm, inadequate support for IPP prisoners, and the restrictive nature of social video calls.
Key concerns identified
  • Security weaknesses at the prison gate and identified in the security audit.
  • Frequent regime disruptions and wing lockdowns due to staff shortages.
  • Poor building fabric, including unreliable heating and showers.
  • Concerning levels of self-harm incidents and ACCT documents.
  • Ongoing issues with support and release planning for IPP prisoners and general resettlement funding.
  • Restrictive timing of social video calls impacting family contact.
  • Lack of specific support networks for the increasing older prisoner population.
2024 PRISON Concerns Thameside
Published 5 Nov 2024 · 1,220 prisoners
HMP Thameside is a privately operated local Category B/C prison for adult male prisoners, often occupied close to its operational capacity of 1232, with a 75% remand population. The IMB reports persistent concerns regarding healthcare provision, increasing delays in mental health transfers, and issues with the maintenance of the estate including lifts and in-cell technology. While some improvements have been noted in areas like reception, significant challenges remain in staffing, violence reduction, and ensuring fair and humane treatment, particularly concerning property management and the disproportionate disciplining of Black/mixed race prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • Persistent issues with healthcare provision, including staffing, medication management, and lengthy delays in transferring mentally ill prisoners to secure hospitals.
  • Significant estate maintenance problems, particularly the frequent breakdown of lifts and in-cell/wing terminal CMS equipment, which hinder access to facilities and daily prisoner life.
  • Challenges in safety, including an increase in violence, shortcomings in ACCT documentation, and the continued absence of confidential face-to-face support for vulnerable prisoners.
  • Inadequate management of prisoner property and inconsistencies in the incentives scheme, leading to prisoner frustration and perceptions of unfairness.
  • Recruitment issues negatively impacting education and resettlement services, contributing to a high number of prisoners released without stable accommodation.
  • Disproportionate use of force and adjudications for Black/mixed race and Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller prisoners, suggesting potential unconscious bias.
2024 PRISON Concerns Wymott
Published 1 Nov 2024 · 1,192 prisoners
Self-harm: 465 Assaults: 171
HMP Wymott continues to face significant challenges due to chronic staffing shortages, impacting regime delivery, purposeful activity, and healthcare provision. While the Board noted effective management of safety incidents and good resettlement work, concerns persist regarding poor accommodation, inadequate mental health support, and the lack of employment opportunities stemming from workshop closures. The report highlights a need for substantial investment in infrastructure and better staffing to improve prisoner conditions and services.
Key concerns identified
  • Increase in violence, illicit drug use, and associated debt/bullying.
  • Poor state of accommodation, particularly on A and B wings, and unreliable heating/hot water on G and H wings.
  • Significant infrastructure problems in the kitchen, impacting meal provision for the large population.
  • Healthcare provision, especially mental health support, is not good enough, with long waits for interventions and secure transfers.
  • Lack of purposeful activity and employment opportunities on the Category C side due to the prolonged closure of workshops.
  • Sacrifice of library access due to staff shortages, risking the service's future.
  • Triaging of hospital escorts by non-clinical prison staff, which the Board considers a clinical decision.
  • The continued impact of staffing shortages across all areas of the prison, leading to regime restrictions and service curtailments.
  • The ongoing gross injustice of IPP sentences and the high number of IPP prisoners held at Wymott.
2024 PRISON Concerns Whitemoor
Published 31 Oct 2024
Self-harm: 409 Assaults: 44 Staff assaults: 95
HMP Whitemoor, a high-security Category B training prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year (June 2023 - May 2024), particularly due to staff shortages and a changing prisoner demographic. These issues led to curtailed regimes, limited purposeful activity, and inadequate access to family and legal visits. While the prison made efforts in areas like property handling, cleanliness, and managing self-harm incidents, key concerns persist regarding the appropriateness of holding Category B prisoners in Category A conditions and the quality of purposeful engagement.
Key concerns identified
  • The two-thirds of Category B prisoners at Whitemoor are held in overly restrictive Category A conditions, hindering progression.
  • Lack of formal standards to ensure purposeful activity is constructive and effectively delivered.
  • Inadequate and unreliable access to visits, including legal ones, causing distress and potential human rights issues.
  • Persistent regime curtailments due to staff shortages, impacting time out of cell and all activities.
  • Insufficient multidisciplinary support for ACCT reviews, potentially compromising self-harm and suicide prevention.
  • Problems with food provision, serveries, kitchen equipment, and ongoing rodent infestation.
2024 PRISON Concerns Pentonville
Published 29 Oct 2024 · 1,195 prisoners
Self-harm: 610 Assaults: 600 Staff assaults: 180
HMP Pentonville, a Category B local prison, experienced significant challenges in the reporting year, marked by overcrowding with a population of 1,195 against a CNA of 909. The prison saw a 28% increase in violence and a 13% rise in self-harm incidents, alongside chronic issues with infrastructure, pest infestations, and limited time out of cell for prisoners. Staffing shortages impacted key services, and critical concerns included the lack of mental health secure beds and the unsatisfactory conditions of worship areas.
Key concerns identified
  • The inhumane conditions due to overcrowding, lack of privacy, and severe infrastructure issues like widespread infestations and plumbing problems.
  • The significant increase in violence (28%) and self-harm (13%), exacerbated by understaffing in Safer Custody and inadequate ACCT documentation.
  • The unacceptably long periods of cell confinement (22 hours a day for many), hindering rehabilitation and undermining decency.
  • Critical healthcare issues including a severe lack of secure hospital beds, leading to unwell prisoners remaining in custody, and pharmacy staff vacancies.
  • Persistent staffing pressures and redeployment in key departments like Safer Custody, Equality, and OMU, impacting service delivery and support for prisoners.
  • The appalling state of the main mosque roof and the ongoing rat infestation in the kitchen which required ministerial intervention.
2024 PRISON Concerns Lincoln
Published 24 Oct 2024 · 651 prisoners
Self-harm: 277 Assaults: 98 Staff assaults: 72
HMP Lincoln, a Category B reception and resettlement prison, continues to treat prisoners fairly and humanely despite challenges from its Victorian infrastructure and high transient population. Positive aspects include improved cleanliness, effective neurodiversity support, and dedicated staff. However, key concerns persist regarding maintenance backlogs, slow access to specialist mental health facilities, property management issues, and inadequate support for remand prisoners and vulnerable populations.
Key concerns identified
  • Long-standing maintenance issues, particularly heating, hot water, and cell availability, due to Victorian infrastructure, remain a significant concern.
  • Delays in access to specialist mental health facilities remain challenging, with transfers taking months.
  • The high transient population impacts prisoners' ability to complete education and training and exacerbates property management issues.
  • Deficiencies in kit distribution, laundry processes, and external cleanliness (food waste attracting pigeons) persist.
  • Accessibility for prisoners with mobility issues is compromised by the non-operational A Wing lift.
  • Support for remand prisoners regarding release planning is inadequate.
  • The daily food allowance is increasingly insufficient for providing nutritional meals.
2023 IRC Concerns Yarl’s Wood IRC
Published 17 Oct 2024 · 310 prisoners
Self-harm: 29
Yarl's Wood IRC experienced a challenging year with a marked increase in violence and self-harm incidents, linked to higher occupancy and a greater proportion of TSFNOs. The Board raised significant concerns about the length of detention, the fragility of the centre's infrastructure, and the unsuitable environment of the CSU for detainees with mental health crises. Despite staffing improvements, issues persist with communication about immigration cases and the oversight of Rule 35 reports.
Key concerns identified
  • There has been a marked increase in violence at Yarl’s Wood, linked to increased occupancy and the proportion of Time-Served Foreign National Offenders (TSFNOs).
  • The centre’s fabric has been exposed as fragile during major incidents, raising questions about its fitness for the purpose of detention.
  • Length of detention remains a significant issue, with increasing periods for both men and women, and poor communication about case progression contributing to detainee frustration.
  • Detainees with severe mental health crises are being kept in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) whilst waiting for transfers to external mental health beds, in an environment deemed unsuitable.
  • There is little or no oversight or auditing of Rule 35 applications, making it unclear which governing body ensures their quality.
  • Women on the Nightingale unit feel exposed and uncomfortable due to men on the Crane unit being able to see them in the outdoor exercise area.
2024 PRISON Concerns Five Wells
Published 16 Oct 2024 · 1,700 prisoners
HMP Five Wells, a privately run Category C prison, increased its population to 1,700 by March 2024, leading to the doubling up of some cells. While the Board noted significant operational improvements under new leadership and generally good accommodation, it raised serious concerns about the prevalence of illicit substances, self-harm, and the management of use of force incidents. Challenges persist in staff recruitment, education provision, and the under-resourcing of the IMB itself.
Key concerns identified
  • Prevalence of illicit substances and high rates of positive drug tests.
  • Common self-harm incidents and the need for improved ACCT management.
  • Poor management of use of force incidents, posing risks to staff and prisoners.
  • Persistent building design issues, including lack of airflow in common areas and unusable low mobility cells.
  • Suspension of key worker support for most of the year and high number of complaints about lost property.
  • Education department struggles due to staffing issues and the suspension of ROTL for outside employment.
  • The Board is significantly under-resourced with only six members monitoring over 1,700 prisoners.
  • Overcrowding concerns with two prisoners sharing cells designed for one.
2024 PRISON Concerns Belmarsh
Published 11 Oct 2024 · 720 prisoners
Self-harm: 367 Assaults: 128 Staff assaults: 109
HMP Belmarsh, a Category A local prison, faces significant challenges in providing purposeful activity and rehabilitation opportunities, particularly for HSU and sentenced prisoners, amid rising illicit item seizures and high violence levels. While healthcare provision has improved under a new provider, mental health support, transfers, and bed shortages remain problematic. The Board is concerned about overcrowding, prolonged segregation stays, and the indefinite detention of IPP prisoners, emphasizing the need for increased resources and improved regimes for vulnerable groups.
Key concerns identified
  • Inadequate provision of education, skills and work activities, negatively impacting health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation.
  • Persistent problems with maintenance and slow repair times for damaged cells.
  • Overcrowding across the estate leading to prisoners being held in inappropriate categories and denied access to rehabilitative courses.
  • Too many prisoners held in the Segregation Unit for extended periods, sometimes over 100 days, often due to challenging behaviour for which no suitable accommodation exists.
  • Limited time out of cell, lack of purposeful activity, and difficulties with family/legal calls for prisoners in the High Security Unit (HSU).
  • A marked increase in illicit items, including drugs and mini mobile phones, posing significant safety and security concerns.
  • The indefinite detention of IPP prisoners, with no clear progression pathway or realistic possibility of parole, is considered inhumane.
  • Long delays in transferring prisoners requiring treatment in secure mental health hospitals and a shortage of in-patient beds in the Healthcare Centre.
  • The significant increase in vulnerable prisoners, with some held on houseblocks outside the dedicated unit due to capacity issues.
  • Detention of young offenders in an adult prison like Belmarsh, which can be traumatising and negatively impact their mental health.
2023 PRISON Concerns Gatwick pre-departure accommodation
Published 11 Oct 2024
The IMB report for Gatwick Pre-Departure Accommodation for 2023 highlights concerns regarding the detention of four families, all of whose removal attempts failed. The Board questions the fairness and humanity of the process, particularly noting the trauma to children and callous treatment of a pregnant mother. Key recommendations include the closure of the PDA and prohibiting the detention of pregnant women.
Key concerns identified
  • The Board questions the value, fairness, and humanity of detaining families with children in the PDA, noting it may prolong or add to existing trauma.
  • Children are sometimes placed in the position of interpreting for their parents, taking on responsibilities beyond their years, leading to unfair and unequal treatment.
  • The Home Office's decision-making process led to callous treatment and unnecessary suffering for a pregnant mother and her young children during an attempted removal.
  • Significant concerns exist regarding the severe impact of detention on the mental and emotional well-being of all family members, particularly children.
  • The high proportion of failed removals from the PDA suggests that the benefits do not outweigh the distress caused by its use.
  • The IMB's exclusion from a Home Office "lessons learned" review following a serious incident undermines the aim of learning and independent oversight.
2024 PRISON Concerns Woodhill
Published 10 Oct 2024 · 338 prisoners
Self-harm: 240
HMP Woodhill, a Category B training prison, faced an Urgent Notification in 2023 due to safety, violence, and staffing concerns. Following a reduction in population, the prison has seen improvements in areas such as ACCT processes, staff training, and the general decency of some units. However, significant challenges persist, including high rates of assaults, ongoing staffing consistency issues, long waiting times for mental health transfers, and insufficient purposeful activity. The IMB highlights continuing concerns around property management, support for neurodiverse prisoners, and the adequacy of resettlement planning.
Key concerns identified
  • Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults remain among the highest in the estate.
  • The number of ACCTs remains high, with observation logs sometimes missing or incomplete.
  • Lack of staffing consistency challenges positive relationships between prisoners and staff.
  • The fabric of the buildings is showing its age, with unacceptable shower standards and inconsistent cleaning schedules.
  • Men with complex and severe mental health needs are held in the Segregation Unit for too long, with slow progress to specialist settings.
  • Prisoners requiring severe mental health services wait too long for assessment and transfer.
  • There are insufficient jobs and education opportunities for prisoners.
  • Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are a concern, with staff unable to locate files and no centralized record.
  • Prisoners with learning disabilities and other challenges (LDCs) are significantly over-represented in adjudications.
  • Support for resettlement is not adequate for most prisoners.
  • The use of illicit spice and adapted vapes increased, leading to medical emergencies.
2023 PRISON Concerns Frankland
Published 9 Oct 2024 · 840 prisoners
HMP Frankland, a Category A dispersal prison, operated close to its 852 capacity, maintaining a generally safe environment despite some serious assaults. The IMB noted improvements in healthcare provision, reducing a previous 'enhanced surveillance' status, and a 75% achievement rate in education. Persistent concerns include outdated CCTV, ongoing kitchen equipment breakdowns and heating issues causing lost workdays, and long-standing problems with prisoner property during transfers. The Board also highlighted challenges in mental health provision for complex cases and inadequate facilities for older and disabled prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • Outdated CCTV provision compromises safety by creating blind spots around the estate.
  • Frequent breakdown of essential kitchen equipment affects food provision and incurs extra costs.
  • Loss of working days for prisoners in workshops due to ineffective heating, a persistent issue over several years.
  • Prisoners are held in segregation for longer periods than regulations stipulate.
  • Persistent complaints regarding late arrival or non-arrival of prisoner property during transfers.
  • Ongoing concern about illicit drug availability within the establishment.
  • Complaints regarding healthcare, particularly medication, remain an issue.
  • Inadequate facilities for pharmacy dispensing on lower wings require upgrading.
  • Mental health provision for complex cases is a concern, and dementia care services still need improvement.
  • Unsuitable physical environment and showering provision for disabled and older prisoners.
2024 PRISON Concerns Swinfen Hall
Published 8 Oct 2024 · 618 prisoners
Self-harm: 369 Assaults: 149 Staff assaults: 62
HMP Swinfen Hall failed to deliver anticipated improvements and meet rehabilitation objectives in the reporting year, largely due to severe staffing shortages impacting regime and purposeful activity. The Board remains seriously concerned about mental health provision, the inconsistent drug strategy, and the weak handling of prisoner applications. While some areas like healthcare access and chaplaincy were positive, overall outcomes for prisoners suffered due to insufficient staff confidence and inadequate regime delivery.
Key concerns identified
  • Staffing issues (sickness, inexperience) severely restricting regime, purposeful activity, and key worker sessions.
  • Persistent serious concerns regarding the availability of appropriate mental health support and transfers to secure NHS units.
  • Weak and unaccountable management of prisoner applications and complaints, leading to a lack of prisoner confidence.
  • Insufficient purposeful activity, with around half the population not engaged, leading to excessive time in cells and frequent wing closures.
  • Inconsistent and insufficient mandatory drug testing, coupled with a weak strategy to prevent drug ingress, which fuels debt, self-harm, and violence.
  • Lack of effective support for self-isolating and wing-restricted prisoners, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and deteriorating mental health.
  • Increasing issues of property lost during transfers between establishments.
2024 PRISON Concerns North Sea Camp
Published 4 Oct 2024 · 224 prisoners
Self-harm: 2
HMP North Sea Camp generally provides a safe and humane environment, with a strong emphasis on humane treatment and a wide range of release preparation programs. Positive developments include improved facilities management, a proactive safer community team, and good healthcare services that receive positive feedback from prisoners. Key concerns include persistent delays in offender management paperwork, the unresolved situation for IPP prisoners, and poor accommodation standards with no plans for replacement or conversion of dormitories. Additionally, issues with prisoner property transfers, lack of on-site end-of-life care, and difficulties for disabled prisoners accessing resettlement opportunities remain.
Key concerns identified
  • There are still apparent delays with community offender managers (COMs) updating OASys paperwork, which delays ROTL boards, parole hearings, and can lead to prisoners spending more time in prison than necessary.
  • No tangible progress has been made regarding the unresolved situation of IPP prisoners since the abolition of the sentence in 2012.
  • There is no provision for in-cell telephony, which hinders the maintenance of family ties, especially as prisoners often arrive from establishments where this is available.
  • The quality of some accommodation is poor, and the space allocated to prisoners sharing rooms is inadequate, with no current plan to replace decommissioned ageing units.
  • There is no budget allocated to convert dormitories (housing four to six prisoners) into smaller rooms.
  • A recurring problem exists with prisoner property not always arriving in its entirety on transfer, leading to long waits or complete loss of items.
  • There is no on-site facility for suitable end-of-life care for prisoners with chronic and serious health issues, forcing them to remain on units amidst daily prison life.
  • Wheelchair users experience difficulties accessing approved premises for resettlement overnight release (ROR), which can delay their sentence plan and parole board hearings.
2024 PRISON Concerns Coldingley
Published 3 Oct 2024 · 507 prisoners
Self-harm: 71 Assaults: 154 Staff assaults: 66
HMP Coldingley, a Category C resettlement and training prison, faced a challenging year marked by significant increases in violence, staff shortages, and poor living conditions for many prisoners. A third of the population continues to lack in-cell sanitation, relying on an unreliable night system, while staffing issues have led to more unplanned lockdowns and a decline in key work and purposeful activity. The Board also highlighted concerns about the rising demand for mental health services, the ineffectiveness of the ISFL wing, and the lack of progress for IPP prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • Significant increases in violence (prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, staff assaults, use of force) driven by population pressures, low staff visibility, and easy availability of illicit items.
  • Unacceptable living conditions for a third of prisoners who lack in-cell sanitation and rely on an antiquated, unreliable night sanitation system.
  • Kitchen facilities are largely unfit for purpose, with wet and unsafe floors and old equipment.
  • Lack of independent external auditing for Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs) and general distrust in the complaints system.
  • Vulnerable prisoners, including those on ACCT plans, are often held in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU), which is not a suitable environment.
  • Staff shortages have severely undermined key work, leaving a quarter of prisoners without an allocated key worker, and led to reduced time out of cell and increased unplanned lockdowns.
  • Rising demand for mental health services results in higher caseloads and longer waiting times for prisoners.
  • The Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) wing is overcrowded and ineffective in preventing illicit substance use.
  • Low attendance and capacity utilisation in education and industries, coupled with blockages in prisoner transfers, hinder progression and resettlement.
  • The increasing number of IPP prisoners feel 'stuck' due to limited opportunities for progression.
2024 PRISON Concerns Norwich
Published 2 Oct 2024 · 792 prisoners
HMP/YOI Norwich, a multi-functional prison, faces significant challenges with dilapidated buildings and high levels of violence and self-harm during the reporting year. While staff show dedication, issues like low prisoner pay, inadequate healthcare access, and a failing key worker system undermine efforts for rehabilitation and humane treatment. The IMB raises repeated concerns about unsuitable detention for mentally unwell prisoners and substandard facilities, particularly the segregation unit.
Key concerns identified
  • Dilapidated and poorly maintained buildings with broken heating, leaking roofs, and inadequate laundry facilities.
  • High levels of violence, particularly prisoner-on-prisoner and gang-related assaults, exacerbated by illicit items and debt.
  • Significant issues with healthcare access, including cancelled appointments due to staff shortages and lack of escorts, and an overstretched mental health team.
  • Inhumane treatment of prisoners with severe mental health issues or learning difficulties held in custody due to lack of appropriate external placements.
  • The segregation unit is not fit for purpose and lacks purposeful activity, leading to it becoming a "destination of choice" for some.
  • Low prisoner pay rates have led to financial hardship and demotivation, impacting work/education attendance.
2024 PRISON Concerns Stocken
Published 1 Oct 2024
HMP Stocken is a Category C training prison with an operational capacity of 1,071, generally providing a safe and humane environment. The report highlights improvements in education and vocational training and increased staff recruitment and retention, but raises concerns about prolonged mental health transfer delays, property transfer issues, and the prison's unfunded role in direct resettlement. The Board also notes the need for refurbishment in older parts of the estate and long waiting times for accredited programmes.
Key concerns identified
  • Delay in transferring mentally ill prisoners to secure mental health facilities, leading to extended stays in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
  • The continued issue of prisoner property not being transferred with individuals, causing delays and problems upon arrival.
  • Lack of planned refurbishment or enlargement for older parts of the establishment, including the CSU, despite the need for remedial work.
  • The increasing number of prisoners held 'out of area', negatively impacting family ties.
  • HMP Stocken not being funded as a resettlement prison, despite an increasing number of prisoners being released directly from the establishment.
  • Long waiting times for accredited offending behaviour programmes.
  • Concerns regarding the interpersonal skills of some new and young prison officers.
2024 PRISON Concerns Send
Published 27 Sep 2024 · 247 prisoners
Self-harm: 479 Assaults: 11 Staff assaults: 9
HMP Send is a closed prison for adult women and transgender prisoners, reporting a population of 247 at the end of March 2024, with an operational capacity of 255. The Board generally found staff efforts commendable in ensuring safety, noting reductions in self-harm and assaults compared to the previous year. Key concerns highlighted include the persistent lack of in-cell technology, staffing shortages affecting offender management and mental health services, and the continued detention of IPP prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The needs of complex individuals with multiple mental health issues are not served well in prison, and such prisoners should be accommodated in secure mental health units.
  • The continued detention of IPP prisoners is unfair and inhumane.
  • The practice of potentially using an escort chain or handcuff of a prisoner to an officer during a breast screening is a concern.
  • There is a persistent absence of in-cell technology, with no progress or future plans, failing to prepare prisoners for a digital society.
  • Persistent low local pay levels for prisoners, inconsistent across the female estate, erode spending power.
  • Shortages of offender managers at Send and in the community damage prisoners' ability to reintegrate into society.
  • Inconsistent approach to induction paperwork and frequent changes to discrimination incident report form (DIRF) handling limit effective monitoring.
  • Delays in refunds from DHL and the long-term absence of a library computer are impacting prisoners.
  • The initiative to tackle obesity needs consistent follow-through, and more prisoners should be engaged in education.
2024 PRISON Concerns Winchester
Published 26 Sep 2024
Self-harm: 795 Assaults: 284 Staff assaults: 232
HMP/YOI Winchester has shown progress in certain areas, particularly in leadership and reducing complaints, but continues to face significant challenges. Overcrowding and dilapidated infrastructure, coupled with severe staff shortages in healthcare and increased prisoner churn from early release schemes, exacerbate safety concerns, including a sharp rise in self-harm and assaults. The prison struggles to provide adequate purposeful activity and timely mental health transfers, impacting overall prisoner welfare and rehabilitation.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding and dilapidated infrastructure are constant problems, leading to cramped, unhygienic, and unsafe living conditions, with many cells unfit for purpose and maintenance being slow.
  • Increased prisoner churn due to early release schemes (ECSL) is overwhelming staff, leading to prisoners being released without adequate preparation and increasing reoffending risk.
  • Significant increases in self-harm (47%), prisoner-on-staff assaults (85%), prisoner-on-prisoner assaults (35%), and use of force (43%), indicating an unsafe environment.
  • Persistent staff shortages, especially in healthcare (47% vacancy rate), impacting timely access to care, and the inexperience of new officers affecting de-escalation.
  • Mental health patients face significant delays (exceeding 28 days) for transfers to specialist facilities, with the CSU often used to manage those in crisis despite staff lacking specialist training.
  • Low time out of cell (around 1.5 hours daily for many) and high unemployment (38%) among prisoners contribute to boredom and challenging behaviour, with only 55% receiving regular key worker sessions.
  • The mandatory GP visits to the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) every 72 hours were not met several times, including for entire weeks/months.
  • Limited resources and support for remand prisoners released directly from court, increasing their risk of reoffending.
2023 PRISON Concerns Featherstone
Published 24 Sep 2024
HMP Featherstone, a Category C training prison, faced significant challenges during the reporting year ending October 2023, primarily stemming from the dilapidated state of its infrastructure and chronic staffing shortages across key departments like healthcare and the OMU. These issues led to regime disruptions, delays in medication, and a persistent problem with property management. While there were positive developments such as improved education outcomes and a reduction in violence, the Board raised serious concerns regarding the inappropriate housing of mentally unwell prisoners in the CSU and inadequate gate security.
Key concerns identified
  • Dilapidated state of the prison, with temporary repairs not addressing underlying problems.
  • Chronic staffing shortages impacting healthcare, the Offender Management Unit, and leading to regime disruptions and medication delays.
  • Inappropriate and prolonged housing of prisoners with severe mental health issues in the Care and Separation Unit.
  • Inadequate gate security measures leading to concerns about illicit item smuggling.
  • Persistent issues with prisoner property, both on transfer and within the establishment.
  • Concerns regarding the quantity, quality, and inconsistent portion sizes of food provided to prisoners.
2024 PRISON Concerns Wealstun
Published 20 Sep 2024 · 908 prisoners
Self-harm: 83 Assaults: 15 Staff assaults: 2
HMP Wealstun, a Category C training and resettlement prison, experienced significant population pressures and increased prisoner churn during the reporting year. While some areas like healthcare access and catering showed improvements, the Board raised serious concerns regarding the persistently high levels of self-harm and violence attributed to illicit materials, the poor condition of older wings, and the restrictive regime offering limited time out of cell and part-time work. The report highlights an urgent need for increased funding for staffing, purposeful activity, and addressing systemic issues related to prisoner welfare and rehabilitation.
Key concerns identified
  • The significant increase in prison population and high churn rate continues to strain reception, induction, and offender management processes, hindering effective resettlement planning.
  • The persistent issue of illicit materials entering the prison contributes to high levels of debt, bullying, violence, and self-harm.
  • The physical condition of older A and B wings remains a significant concern, with accommodation built in the 1960s requiring major refurbishment or replacement to ensure humane living conditions.
  • The regime continues to offer mostly part-time work and limited time out of cell, particularly at weekends, negatively impacting prisoner wellbeing, progression, and rehabilitation prospects due to a lack of funding for full-time opportunities and staff.
  • The number of key worker sessions remains very low, and insufficient funding for staff in all functional areas, not just officers, is impacting the delivery of vital services and relationships.
  • The housing of severely mentally ill individuals in prison awaiting appropriate institutional placement and the inhumane treatment of IPP prisoners.
2023 PRISON Concerns Liverpool
Published 19 Sep 2024
Self-harm: 400 Assaults: 129 Staff assaults: 51
HMP Liverpool has shown positive progress in some areas, including education and the key worker scheme, but faces significant challenges. The Board is concerned by increases in self-harm, violence, and deaths in custody, compounded by high staff absence leading to regime closures. Major issues include inhumane delays in mental health transfers for segregated prisoners and a critical lack of accessible accommodation for those with disabilities.
Key concerns identified
  • Rising self-harm, suicides, and violence against both prisoners and staff.
  • Inhumane delays in mental health transfers for segregated prisoners, leading to prolonged stays in the CSU and deteriorating mental health.
  • Persistent staff absence causing frequent regime closures, impacting prisoner well-being and purposeful activity.
  • Significant issues with illicit items due to delayed cell searches and lack of action on positive drug tests, coupled with drone activity.
  • Acute shortage of accessible cells for prisoners with disabilities and a chaotic mental health referral process.
  • Ongoing problems with lost prisoner property during transfers and unaddressed complaints from other establishments.
2024 PRISON Concerns Styal
Published 18 Sep 2024 · 420 prisoners
HMP/YOI Styal, a local women's prison with an operational capacity of 454 and population of approximately 420, faced significant challenges in safety during the reporting year, including high rates of assaults and self-harm. The Board raised key concerns regarding deteriorating accommodation standards in the houses, ongoing issues with healthcare provision and medication administration, and insufficient purposeful activity and library access. While positive relationships and some improvements were noted in areas like induction and perinatal care, systemic issues stemming from complex prisoner needs and staffing pressures persist.
Key concerns identified
  • Styal recorded the highest rates of prisoner-on-prisoner and prisoner-on-staff assaults, and the third highest level of self-harm in the female estate.
  • Accommodation across the 17 houses remains a key concern, with long-standing maintenance delays, inadequate facilities, and insufficient seating and bathrooms.
  • Concerns are increasing about the use of segregation for prisoners with complex mental health needs due to a lack of community mental health facilities.
  • Spectrum has struggled to consistently provide safe and timely medication administration, exacerbated by healthcare staffing shortages and regime demands.
  • There's a notable increase in prisoners with complex health and mental health conditions, straining healthcare and social care services.
  • The prison continues to fail in providing prisoners their statutory entitlement of 30 minutes per week in the library.
  • Attendance at work and education is insufficient, and the prison lacks enough activity spaces for all eligible prisoners.
  • Significant pressure exists in finding suitable accommodation for prisoners upon release.
2024 PRISON Concerns Warren Hill
Published 17 Sep 2024 · 270 prisoners
Self-harm: 69 Assaults: 3 Staff assaults: 0
HMP Warren Hill is a Category C prison maintaining a safe and humane environment with effective safety measures and good staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include the outsourced food provision, the impact of Ministerial intervention on prisoner progression and ROTL, and the need for investment in the estate and digital education. The IMB highlights improvements in key worker delivery, healthcare, and resettlement support, advocating for on-site kitchen facilities and reinstatement of ROTL to further enhance prisoner experience and preparation for release.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing poor provision and quality of food from the HMP Hollesley Bay kitchen, with the IMB repeatedly urging the reinstatement of an on-site kitchen at Warren Hill.
  • Disappointment and disquiet regarding Ministerial intervention delaying or preventing progression to open conditions or release following successful parole hearings, and the continued suspension of the ROTL pilot.
  • The need for further investment in the prison's estate, particularly for the refurbishment of shower blocks beyond the one currently underway, some of which were highlighted in last year's report.
  • Lack of sufficient digital technology training and access, such as in-cell laptops, which are crucial for preparing prisoners for successful resettlement in the modern world.
  • Difficulties and discrepancies in funding and provision of social care for prisoners due to local authority differences, impacting those with physical or mental incapacities.
  • Misuse of legitimate prescription medications, such as pregabalin and gabapentin, by a small percentage of the population.
2024 PRISON Concerns Rye Hill
Published 13 Sep 2024 · 662 prisoners
Self-harm: 343 Assaults: 43
HMP Rye Hill is a privately run Category B training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, currently transitioning to become an all-Category C facility, holding 662 prisoners against an operational capacity of 625. The report highlights improvements in education and employment, good staff-prisoner relationships, and a new neurodiversity team, but raises significant concerns about the systemic injustice of IPP sentences, protracted compassionate release processes, and persistent issues with property transfers and inter-prison moves.
Key concerns identified
  • The injustice of the IPP sentence and its impact on prisoners' mental health and wellbeing, with no centrally directed, long-term solution.
  • The compassionate release process remains unnecessarily difficult and slow due to the requirement for hospital consultant confirmation, causing delays for terminally ill prisoners.
  • Prisoner-requested transfers within the estate are almost impossible, leading to prisoners being held far from family and friends, negatively impacting their mental wellbeing.
  • The persistent problem of prisoner property not being sent on transfer into HMP Rye Hill, despite existing policies, with no effective process to address missing items.
  • Concerns about the accelerated timeframe for the new building's opening and the subsequent transition to an all-category C establishment, particularly regarding the allocation of prisoners and support for Category B prisoners during this change.
2024 PRISON Concerns Preston
Published 12 Sep 2024 · 670 prisoners
HMP/YOI Preston is a Category B local prison for men, with an average population of 670 and an operational capacity of 680. The prison recorded four deaths in custody and opened 736 ACCT cases, reflecting high self-harm rates, while violence remained an issue. Positive developments include increased time out of cell and a fully operational key worker scheme. However, key concerns include the poor state of the Victorian estate, inadequate kitchen maintenance, and gaps in resettlement support from external agencies, especially for remand prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The national contract for kitchen maintenance is poorly delivered, leading to costly delays in equipment repair.
  • Significant issues persist with the fabric of this Victorian prison, including an unfit reception area and a dilapidated OMU structure.
  • The NHS Reconnect service rejects some prisoners on release, creating a gap in vital resettlement support.
  • A minority of staff treat prisoners disrespectfully, negatively impacting relationships and undermining pro-social modelling efforts.
  • Ongoing delays with PINs applications cause significant frustration for prisoners and staff.
  • Prisoner property management, particularly during cell clearances, remains a major concern, leading to loss and numerous complaints.
2023 PRISON Concerns Parc
Published 10 Sep 2024
Self-harm: 1,101 Assaults: 453
HMP/YOI Parc reported eleven deaths in custody and a substantial increase in illicit item finds during the reporting period. The Board noted significant issues with inadequate mental health provision, excessive waiting lists for appointments, and critical staffing shortages impacting key worker sessions, healthcare, and education. Concerns were also raised about the quality and quantity of food, ineffective complaints handling, and the anxiety experienced by IPP prisoners due to release uncertainty. Positively, self-harm and violence incidents saw significant reductions.
Key concerns identified
  • Eleven deaths in custody occurred during the reporting period.
  • There was a substantial increase in illicit item finds and failed mandatory drug tests.
  • Constant complaints were received regarding the quality and quantity of food.
  • Mental health provision was inadequate, with excessive waiting lists, insufficient nursing staff, and long waits for ambulance transfers.
  • Staffing shortages led to key workers being below required numbers and impacted the OMU.
  • Education was frequently limited due to regime restrictions and issues with the new provider, Novus Gower.
  • Prisoners serving IPP sentences faced significant anxiety due to uncertainty about release dates.
  • Issues persisted with prisoner property transfers, with items not always accompanying prisoners.
  • The complaints system was often ineffective, with many complaints not receiving timely responses.
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