Home / Sources / IMB Annual Reports
Index live
Source · Independent custody monitoring

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

Filter by year, type or concerns
2022 PRISON Concerns Featherstone
Published 28 Jul 2023
HMP Featherstone experienced a challenging year, marked by significant staffing issues that disrupted the regime and various services, including healthcare and purposeful activity. The prison's aging infrastructure is a major concern, along with the inadequate management of mentally ill prisoners in segregation. While violence reduced and overall safety improved, issues with staff culture, property management, and inconsistent use of body-worn cameras persist.
Key concerns identified
  • The dilapidated state of the prison, with no apparent plan for significant investment.
  • The inappropriate housing of mentally ill prisoners in segregation units with untrained staff, and delays in transferring them to suitable facilities.
  • Inconsistent performance of the prison applications system.
  • A problematic culture among a small group of staff, requiring continued vigilance from senior management.
  • Persistent staffing shortages affecting various departments and the effective use of resources.
  • Significant ongoing issues with prisoner property, both on transfer and within the establishment, exacerbated by staff shortages and inadequate investigation of losses.
  • Inconsistent and insufficient use of body-worn cameras by prison officers, hindering investigations into alleged uses of force.
  • Concerns regarding the quality, quantity, and inconsistent portion sizes of food.
2023 PRISON Concerns Lewes
Published 26 Jul 2023 · 554 prisoners
Self-harm: 490 Staff assaults: 101
HMP Lewes continues to face severe challenges, primarily driven by staff shortages that restrict the regime, leaving many prisoners out of cell for only an hour a day. This has contributed to significant increases in self-harm and assaults on staff, while issues with healthcare provision, mental health support, and the decency of accommodation persist. The Board highlights the disproportionate use of force against BAME prisoners and the ongoing lack of resettlement support for those on remand.
Key concerns identified
  • Significant increase in self-harm and staff assaults, and disproportionate use of force against BAME prisoners.
  • Prisoners without work or education are out of cell for little more than an hour a day, with limited work/education places and a non-functional key worker system.
  • Inappropriate use of the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) for complex mental health cases, and long waits for mental health assessments, psychiatrists, and secure transfers.
  • Inadequate provision of working washing/drying machines and kit, and persistent delays in repairs to the Victorian wing, leading to poor heating, hot water, and damp.
  • Overall staff shortages and the counting of non-effective staff significantly impact the regime and service delivery.
  • Remand prisoners receive no support for resettlement.
  • Inappropriate allocation of prisoners to the vulnerable prisoner wing leads to bullying and inadequate induction.
2023 PRISON Concerns Norwich
Published 19 Jul 2023 · 710 prisoners
The IMB report for HMP/YOI Norwich highlights persistent staff shortages as the overarching issue, leading to a restricted regime with prisoners locked up for extended periods daily. Key concerns include high levels of self-harm and violence, an overstretched mental health team, and a lack of purposeful activity and rehabilitation programs for long-term and IPP prisoners. The Board also notes the inhumane detention of foreign national prisoners beyond their sentences and prisoners with severe mental health issues in unsuitable facilities.
Key concerns identified
  • Persistent staff shortages continue to undermine regime delivery, leading to long periods of lock-up and limited purposeful activity.
  • High levels of self-harm and violence, exacerbated by restricted regimes, persist, with an overstretched mental health team.
  • Significant issues with accommodation decency, including outdated buildings, leaking roofs, and inconsistent cell cleaning prior to new arrivals.
  • Inhumane treatment of vulnerable prisoners, specifically seven foreign nationals held beyond their sentence expiry and prisoners with severe mental health issues detained in unsuitable facilities.
  • A critical lack of accredited interventions and offending behaviour programmes for IPP and long-term sentenced prisoners.
  • Ongoing problems with healthcare access due to staff shortages, including cancelled appointments and untimely medication delivery.
2022 PRISON Concerns Exeter
Published 18 Jul 2023 · 342 prisoners
HMP Exeter, a Category B local and resettlement prison, experienced persistent high levels of violence and self-harm, alongside challenges with staffing instability and extensive refurbishment work in 2022. While healthcare provision was generally satisfactory, access to psychological therapies remained limited, and living conditions were often impacted by overcrowding and restricted regimes. Progress towards successful resettlement was hindered by short sentences, lack of work opportunities, and staff shortages.
Key concerns identified
  • High levels of violence and self-harm, with vulnerabilities at managerial and operational levels.
  • Concerns about the effectiveness and timely execution of Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) processes.
  • Inhumane living conditions due to slow exit from Covid restrictions, staff shortages, extensive refurbishment, and overcrowding.
  • Limited access to psychological therapies (online or face-to-face) for anxiety and mild to moderate depression.
  • Limited progress in resettlement for short-term and resettlement prisoners due to short timeframes and lack of work opportunities.
  • Backlog in staff training, especially Control and Restraint (C&R).
  • Poor management of prisoners’ property, leading to losses and compensation costs, both internally and on transfer.
  • Inadequate arrangements for prisoner induction, particularly for young adults, and lack of quality assurance.
2022 PRISON Concerns Yarl’s Wood
Published 7 Jul 2023 · 423 prisoners
Self-harm: 18 Assaults: 15 Staff assaults: 14
Yarl’s Wood IRC experienced a shift to a male-only population, including a significant increase in foreign national offenders, during the reporting year. The Board noted an increase in violence, self-harm incidents, and use of force, alongside persistent challenges with staff recruitment, retention, and communication due to language barriers. While healthcare provision was largely commended, concerns remain regarding the length of detention, delays in bail releases, and the need for more comprehensive planning for release and resettlement, particularly for FNOs.
Key concerns identified
  • An increase in violence, including physical and verbal altercations between residents and assaults on staff.
  • Increasing numbers of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) experiencing long lengths of stay without the removal process starting in prison.
  • Delays in securing interpreters, leading to communication difficulties and isolation for non-English speakers.
  • Detainees granted bail experiencing significant delays in release due to a lack of suitable accommodation.
  • The length of detention and uncertainty contributing to mental health issues, violence, depression, and self-harm.
  • Inadequate transfer of ACCT paperwork for men released into the community and insufficient mental health information from prisons.
2022 PRISON Concerns Holme House
Published 4 Jul 2023 · 1,175 prisoners
HMP Holme House demonstrated significant improvements in 2022, effectively recovering from Covid-19 disruptions and enhancing safety, healthcare, and resettlement services. While the prison maintained a safe and humane environment, key challenges included slow estate maintenance, deterioration in food quality, and the disproportionate impact of a growing young adult population on violence and self-harm. The IMB also highlighted issues with contractual transparency and the provision of adequate programs for vulnerable prisoners, making several recommendations to address these concerns.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of timely funding for essential repairs and slow maintenance across the estate, including cell, house block, and kitchen equipment.
  • Contractual standards and performance indicators remain unavailable to the IMB, hindering effective monitoring.
  • Deterioration in the quality of food services, compounded by non-operational bakery and unrepaired kitchen equipment.
  • The increasing number of young adults contributing disproportionately to violence and self-harm, alongside general cultural disquiet.
  • Inadequate provision of specific programmes for vulnerable prisoners due to their separation and small group sizes.
  • High incidence of prisoner property going missing, particularly during transfers and cell clearances, remaining a significant complaint category.
2022 PRISON Concerns Derwentside
Published 30 Jun 2023 · 29 prisoners
Self-harm: 7 Assaults: 1 Staff assaults: 5
This inaugural annual report for Derwentside IRC, based on weekly visits, finds the centre safe and well-run, with detainees treated humanely and with respect. However, its remote location and poor communications infrastructure contribute to unequal and sometimes inhumane treatment compared to male IRCs. Key concerns include delays in releasing vulnerable women due to accommodation issues, incomplete facilities, and a lack of mental health cover at weekends.
Key concerns identified
  • There are unacceptable delays in releasing vulnerable women due to difficulties in finding suitable accommodation.
  • Concerns exist regarding the governance, techniques, and reporting requirements around the use of force.
  • The remote location of Derwentside and inadequate communications infrastructure lead to inhumane and unequal treatment for women compared to men, including long, frequent journeys and difficult family contact.
  • The centre remains incomplete, with important facilities like the care suite and cultural kitchen yet to open.
  • There is a lack of mental health cover at weekends and public holidays, which is unequal to provision in male IRCs.
  • The absence of a legal time limit for immigration detention adds to the anxiety and stress experienced by detained women.
2023 PRISON Concerns North West and Midlands STHF
Published 29 Jun 2023
The Board has resumed actual visits to most locations, with two exceptions, and consists of three active members who continue their duties robustly, despite being under-strength. Key concerns include the persistent issue of detainees being denied access to prescribed medication in facilities without full-time medical professionals, and the slow rectification of structural and equipment deficiencies. Positive developments include the resolution of airside pass issuance and observations of humane and professional treatment of detainees.
Key concerns identified
  • Denial of access to prescribed medication for detainees in holding rooms and reporting centres, a concern repeated for five years.
  • Lack of full-time medical professionals at facilities other than Manchester RSTHF, leading to reliance on ambulance services.
  • Slow pace in rectifying structural and equipment deficiencies across all monitored facilities.
  • Excessive and repeated transfers of female detainees between Derwentside and southern IRCs.
  • The Board is significantly under-strength in active members.
  • Restrictive office space for DCOs at some reporting centres, impacting duties like searches.
2023 PRISON Concerns Leicester
Published 28 Jun 2023
Self-harm: 226 Assaults: 49 Staff assaults: 38
HMP Leicester is well-led, maintaining a relatively safe environment with reduced self-harm and assaults on staff, and improved reception facilities. Despite generally good physical and mental healthcare, significant concerns persist regarding long delays for mentally ill prisoners awaiting transfer, which can result in inhumane segregation. Staffing shortages have severely impacted key working and the regime on weekends, while aging infrastructure requires substantial capital investment, particularly for the gym. Resettlement efforts are hindered by a high proportion of men released without accommodation and underdeveloped substance misuse services.
Key concerns identified
  • Long delays for seriously mentally ill prisoners awaiting transfer to secure psychiatric care, leading to inhumane treatment in segregation.
  • Increasing numbers of remand prisoners awaiting court hearings, with 66 exceeding custody time limits by January 2023.
  • A high proportion (40%) of men are released from HMP Leicester without accommodation.
  • The viability of the gym, a vital resource, is threatened by a leaking roof, bowing floor, and aging equipment, requiring significant capital investment.
  • Substance misuse services are underdeveloped and the 'My Recovery Unit' is not operating as intended, alongside a concerning rise in illegal drug misuse.
  • Key working provision remains severely reduced (only 22% of expected hours) due to staff shortages.
2022 PRISON Concerns Garth
Published 27 Jun 2023
HMP Garth, a Category B training prison, grapples with severe staff recruitment and retention issues, resulting in a largely inexperienced workforce and an ineffective key worker scheme. The restrictive regime, a consequence of staffing problems and post-pandemic recovery, limits prisoners' time out of cell and access to purposeful activity. Key concerns include the deteriorating estate, inadequate provisions for disabled individuals, and the persistent challenges faced by IPP prisoners, alongside ongoing issues with property transfers and an understaffed Offender Management Unit.
Key concerns identified
  • Persistent staff recruitment and retention problems, leading to an inexperienced workforce, ineffective key worker schemes, and cross-deployment.
  • Deteriorating prison infrastructure and inadequate maintenance, particularly concerning disability access and the unsuitable healthcare waiting room.
  • The ongoing injustice and negative impact of the IPP sentence on prisoners, with governmental unwillingness to resolve the issue.
  • A restrictive regime that confines prisoners to cells for lengthy periods, limiting purposeful activity, education, and socialisation.
  • Significant understaffing and inexperience within the Offender Management Unit, hindering prisoner progression and effective sentence planning.
  • Problems with the transfer of prisoner property between establishments, resulting in loss and damage.
2022 PRISON Concerns Charter Flight
Published 23 Jun 2023
The CFMT monitored 12 charter removal and relocation operations in 2022, finding that returnees were generally treated kindly but experienced significant issues. Key concerns included prolonged confinement in vehicles, inconsistent use of force, and inadequate interpreting services, often exacerbating detainee distress. Despite some positive changes in escorting practice, the Board raised recommendations for HOIE and its contractor, particularly regarding vulnerability, financial preparation, and transit times.
Key concerns identified
  • Prolonged and unacceptable confinement of returnees in parked vehicles at IRCs and airports, exacerbating distress and often extending for many hours.
  • Inconsistent and sometimes excessive use of physical restraints and force on returnees, including vulnerable individuals, with concerns about proportionality and duration.
  • Inadequate provision and use of interpreting facilities, leading to a lack of clear information for non-English speaking returnees and reliance on other detainees for interpretation.
  • Morally questionable removal of vulnerable individuals, particularly those with mental health issues, despite their acute distress.
  • Poor preparation of returnees regarding financial support and the unresolved issue of uncashable postal orders from prisons.
  • The continued use of airports far from IRCs, leading to extended road journeys and confinement times, despite repeated recommendations against this practice.
2022 PRISON Humber
Published 23 Jun 2023
2022 PRISON Concerns Kirklevington Grange
Published 22 Jun 2023 · 207 prisoners
Self-harm: 4 Assaults: 3 Staff assaults: 0
HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange is a well-run Category D open prison providing a safe and humane environment with high standards of healthcare and strong staff-prisoner relationships. The IMB noted significant efforts in preparing prisoners for resettlement, including good access to work and education, contributing to low complaint levels. Key challenges include delays in new accommodation block construction, persistent issues with property transfers between prisons, and addressing the poor literacy skills of some incoming prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • No definite date for the construction of three new accommodation blocks, keeping the prison's capacity below optimal levels.
  • Persistent issues with property transfers between prisons, often resulting in long delays and lost belongings for prisoners.
  • Many incoming prisoners have very poor literacy and numeracy skills (E3 or below), and there is insufficient tutor provision and funding to address this.
  • Showers and toilets in F, A, B, and C units remain shabby and cramped despite recent overhauls.
  • Problems with the contracted food supplier failing to deliver basic ordered items, causing prisoner dissatisfaction.
  • Lack of clear information and support for IPP prisoners regarding changes to their sentences.
2022 PRISON Concerns Huntercombe
Published 20 Jun 2023 · 469 prisoners
Self-harm: 96 Assaults: 57
HMP Huntercombe returned to a full regime in 2022, and the Board commended staff for their work. However, significant concerns remain, particularly regarding the ongoing detention of foreign nationals beyond their sentence expiry due to Home Office delays in processing deportation orders. The prison also faces challenges with an antiquated heating system, water ingress in healthcare, reduced education provision due to staffing, and issues with inter-prison property transfers.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing incarceration of foreign national prisoners (IS91s) beyond their sentence expiry date under convicted criminal conditions, with no improvement since 2020.
  • An increasing number of foreign national prisoners arriving without deportation orders or proper Home Office triaging, leading to delays beyond their early release dates.
  • The antiquated heating and hot water systems frequently break down, causing frustration and requiring expensive temporary solutions.
  • Persistent water ingress in the healthcare facility makes it an unsuitable working environment.
  • The education curriculum has been reduced due to staffing issues, with popular courses like art, barbering, and the full IAG diploma being curtailed.
  • Significant issues persist with property transfers between prisons despite assurances of a new national framework.
2022 PRISON Concerns High Down
Published 14 Jun 2023 · 1,090 prisoners
Self-harm: 721 Assaults: 157 Staff assaults: 85
HMP High Down transitioned to a Category C training and resettlement prison in 2022, implementing gradual regime changes that have positively impacted prisoner life, including improved time out of cell and new community units. The Board noted reductions in self-harm and assaults, and commended improvements in induction and the visits hall. However, significant concerns remain regarding the welfare of IPP prisoners, long delays in transferring mentally unwell individuals, and a high proportion of prisoners leaving without settled accommodation. Persistent issues with lost property, inconsistent key work, and a lack of high-quality employment opportunities continue to hinder effective resettlement and overall humane treatment.
Key concerns identified
  • The unresolved problem of prisoners serving Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPPs).
  • Significant delays in transferring mentally unwell prisoners to secure mental health units, resulting in inappropriate holding in the CSRU.
  • The high number of prisoners released without settled accommodation.
  • Persistent issues with missing and lost property, causing distress and requiring compensation.
  • Lack of high-quality employment and training opportunities, hindering effective resettlement.
  • The disproportionate application of the incentives scheme, particularly affecting black prisoners, and the inconsistent delivery of key work.
2022 PRISON Concerns Highpoint
Published 9 Jun 2023
Self-harm: 322 Assaults: 185 Staff assaults: 97
HMP Highpoint, a Category C training and resettlement prison with an operational capacity of 1,270, experienced a decrease in self-harm but a 28% increase in violent incidents during the reporting year. Persistent concerns include significant maintenance backlogs by GFSL, ongoing issues with lost prisoner property, and restricted library access. Despite these challenges, healthcare provision maintained a 'green' rating, and the key worker scheme continued its development.
Key concerns identified
  • The continued psychological harm to prisoners serving IPP sentences due to no identified release date.
  • Ongoing issues with lost or delayed prisoner property, leading to frustration and negatively impacting wellbeing.
  • Persistent poor performance and delays in maintenance work by GFSL, with a significant backlog of repairs.
  • Staffing levels and frequent redeployments in the Offender Management Unit lead to high caseloads and impact prisoner support.
  • The unaddressed security and safety risk posed by unrepaired netting, increasing opportunities for contraband throwovers.
  • Restricted library access continues to negatively impact prisoner education and progression opportunities.
  • An unwelcome 28% increase in violent incidents during the reporting year.
  • Inconsistent activation of body-worn video cameras during use of force incidents.
  • The Listener scheme, important for self-harm prevention, has still not restarted due to staff training issues.
2023 PRISON Concerns South and East 2022-23 Short Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
Published 8 Jun 2023
The Independent Monitoring Board for South and East STHFs observed increasing numbers of individuals held for extended periods, sometimes over 24 hours and up to 100 hours, in facilities designed for short-term detention. The Board highlights inhumane sleeping conditions due to the removal of mats, inadequate privacy, and lack of exercise facilities and showers. Key concerns include significant delays in facility maintenance and capacity issues, alongside insufficient provisions for vulnerable individuals and those with disabilities.
Key concerns identified
  • People are regularly detained for long periods in STHFs designed for short stays, sometimes for over 24 hours and up to 100 hours.
  • Inhumane sleeping conditions exist due to the removal of sleeping mats, forcing detainees to sleep on the floor, coupled with a general lack of privacy, showers, and exercise areas.
  • Significant delays are observed in resolving maintenance and repair problems across facilities, impacting safety and habitability.
  • There is a lack of commitment to resolving various safety issues, including trip hazards, untried panic alarms, and unsuitable areas for hot meal preparation.
  • Capacity issues persist at airport STHFs, and the needs of those with limited mobility, sight, or hearing impairment are still not being adequately addressed.
  • Delays by Clearsprings in transferring detainees lead to extended periods of detention, with some awaiting bail transport for over 12 hours.
2023 PRISON Concerns Lindholme
Published 6 Jun 2023 · 926 prisoners
Self-harm: 269 Assaults: 116 Staff assaults: 34
HMP Lindholme successfully transitioned to a full regime post-Covid, with many prisoners feeling safe, though issues like overcrowding and double-occupancy cells persist. Healthcare needs are generally met, but access challenges remain. The Board highlights concerns regarding property issues, the complaints system, and the need for improved resettlement and IPP prisoner progression.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowding throughout the prison estate, exacerbating difficulties for staff and negatively impacting prisoners' mental health and resettlement.
  • The continued use of cells designed for single occupancy but authorised for double occupancy, undermining efforts for fair and humane treatment.
  • The high number of IPP prisoners, particularly licence recalls, with insufficient emphasis on preparing them for release.
  • Persistent problems with prisoners' property going missing, both during inter-prison transfers and internally, leading to high numbers of complaints.
  • Significant dissatisfaction with the complaints system, including missed timescales for responses and poor quality of replies.
  • Lack of effective resettlement planning, with many prisoners being released without structured pre-release programmes.
  • Insufficient workshop attendance and a backlog of prisoners waiting for offending behaviour programmes due to staffing levels.
2022 PRISON Concerns Full Sutton
Published 1 Jun 2023 · 580 prisoners
Self-harm: 206 Assaults: 35 Staff assaults: 38
This report for HMP Full Sutton (Jan-Dec 2022) highlights persistent staff shortages, which led to regime lockdowns and reduced time out of cell. Despite these challenges, the prison maintained a safe and humane environment, showing improvements in education and complaint handling. Key concerns include drug testing levels, inconsistent equalities meetings, and the ongoing development of the STEP unit, with a shortfall in psychological and nursing staff also noted.
Key concerns identified
  • The continuing need to develop the STEP unit and clarify its role in breaking the cycle of segregation.
  • Inconsistent holding of equalities meetings and a limited focus on equality matters.
  • Drug testing levels remaining low, with a large proportion of expected tests not being carried out.
  • A significant shortfall in qualified psychologists affecting consultancy, parole, and Category A reporting.
  • A gap in suitable offending behaviour programmes, particularly for violence reduction, impacting prisoner progression.
  • The failure to introduce Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups, initially planned for 2021.
2023 PRISON Concerns Lowdham Grange
Published 31 May 2023 · 860 prisoners
Self-harm: 606 Assaults: 131 Staff assaults: 61
HMP Lowdham Grange experienced a challenging reporting year (Feb 2022 – Jan 2023) marked by significant contract transition and refurbishment works. This led to a deterioration in safety, increased self-harm and assaults, and a decline in staff morale and prisoner engagement. Despite some positive healthcare developments like a new wellbeing centre, services remained below community standards, compounded by staffing shortages.
Key concerns identified
  • Deterioration of safety due to increased assaults, self-harm, weapons, and prevalent drug misuse.
  • Significant reduction in purposeful activity and prisoners spending long periods locked in cells.
  • Healthcare provision remains below community standards, exacerbated by staff shortages and lack of night cover.
  • Staffing challenges, including high resignations, low morale, and reduced prisoner engagement, impacting regime delivery.
  • Persistent issues with delayed coroners' inquests and property management.
  • The segregation unit holding prisoners for extended periods, including those awaiting mental health transfers.
2022 PRISON Concerns Hindley
Published 30 May 2023
Self-harm: 423 Assaults: 222 Staff assaults: 78
HMP/YOI Hindley was deemed a safe environment with reduced violent incidents, but persistent staffing shortages led to extended lockdowns, negatively impacting prisoner wellbeing and mental health. The Board noted an increase in use of force and concerns over delays in parole hearings and inquests. While healthcare was satisfactory, low purposeful activity engagement and a lack of a clear incentives scheme remain significant issues.
Key concerns identified
  • The continued impact of uncertainties and delays in parole board hearings for indeterminate sentence prisoners.
  • Significant delays in holding inquests, causing distress to families and staff.
  • No funding to upgrade existing accommodation to an acceptable level, creating a two-tier experience.
  • Weaknesses in staff selection, induction, or initial training, contributing to a high attrition rate.
  • High staff turnover and extended periods of lockdown, significantly impacting prisoner mental health and quality of life.
  • Low attendance and frequent cancellation of work or training sessions, hindering preparation for release.
  • Lack of an effective, comprehensive, and clear incentives scheme and payments policy.
2022 PRISON Concerns Frankland
Published 26 May 2023 · 825 prisoners
Assaults: 23 Staff assaults: 12
HMP Frankland, a high-security training prison, has operated near its 852 capacity. The Board noted positive developments including staff efforts to maintain safety, the continuation of social video calls, and strong educational engagement. Key concerns include chronic healthcare staffing shortages, persistent issues with property tracking, the ingress of illicit drugs, and the impact of heating problems on workshop availability.
Key concerns identified
  • Chronic staffing shortages in healthcare.
  • The long-overdue tracking and tracing of property.
  • Illicit drugs getting into the estate.
  • Days lost in workshops due to ongoing heating issues.
  • Coping with demands on resources from an increasing older age range population.
  • Pharmacy provision on lower older wings not fit for purpose.
  • Slow complaints response times.
  • Plans to replace or repair kitchen equipment.
2022 PRISON Concerns Isis
Published 25 May 2023 · 600 prisoners
Self-harm: 180 Assaults: 244 Staff assaults: 97
HMP/YOI Isis, a training prison for young adults and Category C men, housed around 600 prisoners in 2022. The Board noted an encouraging drop in self-harm and decreasing trends in violence and use of force, alongside effective healthcare leadership. However, significant concerns remain regarding persistent staffing shortages, insufficient time out of cell, and poor provision of purposeful activity and accredited rehabilitation programs, which hinder prisoners' progression and resettlement.
Key concerns identified
  • The high rate of violence, particularly on the induction spur, remains a significant concern.
  • Insufficient time out of cell, especially in the evenings and at weekends, limits access to rehabilitation activities.
  • Persistent staffing shortages across all departments undermine key work delivery, offender management, and overall regime provision.
  • The ongoing issue of badly fitting and broken cell windows, which remains unresolved since the prison opened.
  • Significant increases in reported drug use incidents and other contraband finds, including mobile phones and weapons.
  • Poor provision and underutilisation of vocational training and purposeful activity spaces, hindering prisoners' progression and resettlement.
  • Backlogs in OASys reports and prisoner recategorisation, exacerbated by high prisoner churn and short sentences.
  • The lack of accredited offending behaviour programmes to address issues such as domestic abuse or violence.
2022 PRISON Concerns Aylesbury
Published 19 May 2023 · 371 prisoners
Self-harm: 175 Assaults: 132 Staff assaults: 56
HMP/YOI Aylesbury faced a challenging year due to Covid-19 restrictions and severe staff shortages, which impacted the regime, purposeful activity, and staff-prisoner relationships. Despite these difficulties, the prison completed significant refurbishment projects and effectively contained Covid infections. Key concerns included persistent gang culture, high use of force, inadequate education and resettlement support, and issues with staffing levels and property management.
Key concerns identified
  • Significant staff shortages negatively impacting the regime and purposeful activity.
  • Persistent issues with gang culture and violence, contributing to the prison's reputation.
  • Suboptimal education provision throughout the year and inadequate resettlement support for released prisoners.
  • High use of PAVA and the ineffectiveness of the CSIP programme in managing violent tendencies.
  • Outdated property management system leading to frequent complaints, and issues with family parcels.
  • Insufficient support for foreign national and less literate prisoners, including underutilisation of translation services.
2022 PRISON Concerns Grendon
Published 12 May 2023 · 160 prisoners
Self-harm: 28 Assaults: 4 Staff assaults: 1
HMP Grendon, a Category B therapeutic prison, saw improvements in its regime post-Covid restrictions, with low levels of self-harm, assaults, and no deaths in custody. Staff-prisoner relationships remained excellent, and initiatives in diversity and family contact were strong. However, the prison faced ongoing challenges from a protracted fire safety project, persistent issues with night sanitation, and a noticeable erosion of its therapeutic culture post-pandemic. Significant concerns remain regarding staffing shortages in key areas, delays in transferring men out of therapy, and inadequate governance of healthcare data, all contributing to a difficult operational environment despite the positive progress in other areas.
Key concerns identified
  • Impact of overridden Parole Board recommendations on men's hope and therapeutic communities.
  • Persistent issues with night sanitation not meeting decency and hygiene standards.
  • Significant delays and unsatisfactory execution of the ongoing fire safety project, causing disruption and loss of capacity.
  • Too many men spending extended periods Out of Therapy (OOT) due to transport and transfer delays, hindering progression and disrupting communities.
  • Lack of robust healthcare data governance, staff shortages leading to delayed complaint responses, and unaddressed communication issues.
  • Budgetary constraints preventing fairer wages to help prisoners offset rising canteen costs.
2022 PRISON Concerns Springhill
Published 12 May 2023 · 300 prisoners
Self-harm: 2 Assaults: 1 Staff assaults: 2
HMP Springhill, an open Category D prison, faced challenges in 2022 despite maintaining low levels of self-harm, assaults, and use of force. The Board raised significant concerns regarding the poor quality of prisoner accommodation, persistent delays with external probation impacting Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), and a lack of sustainable employment outcomes post-release. Staffing shortages affected healthcare and education, and property complaints, particularly during transfers, remained an unsatisfactory issue for men.
Key concerns identified
  • The quality of accommodation for the majority of men in the older huts remains very poor, and there is an ongoing need for appropriate investment in the decaying infrastructure.
  • Delays with outside probation continue to affect men’s access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL).
  • Access to approved premises for restricted prisoners on resettlement overnight releases (RORs) has become especially difficult.
  • Pay levels for men not in full-time work have fallen well behind price increases, and the Governor's ability to award meaningful pay rises is constrained.
  • Property complaints, particularly involving transfers between establishments, remain high and have not reduced despite new policy frameworks.
  • ROTL is not consistently leading to sustainable employment on release, with low post-release employment rates for most months.
  • Insufficient purposeful activity on camp, with too many men in roles that don't offer resettlement opportunities.
  • Inadequate staff training on complaints responses and suicide and self-harm (SASH) prevention.
  • Limited access to healthcare data hinders effective oversight and assessment of provision.
2022 PRISON Concerns Gartree
Published 10 May 2023 · 593 prisoners
Self-harm: 242 Assaults: 58 Staff assaults: 53
HMP Gartree experienced an increase in assaults and self-harm incidents during the reporting year, alongside nine deaths in custody. The Board raised significant concerns about the lack of progress on essential infrastructure improvements, the quality and availability of purposeful activity, and delays in mental health transfers. Positive developments included improvements in the complaints system and effective detection of illicit items, but staffing retention and the lack of data to assure healthcare equivalence remain challenges.
Key concerns identified
  • Increase in assaults (staff and prisoner-on-prisoner) and violent incidents.
  • Continued influx of drugs and other illegal items, with drone sightings, and incomplete security initiatives.
  • Nine deaths in custody, with repeated PPO recommendations regarding end-of-life care and hospital escorts.
  • Concerns about prisoners housed in the SAPU for extended periods, exacerbated by delays in transfers to secure mental health units.
  • Non-existent progress on improvements to the fabric and infrastructure of the prison, particularly showers.
  • Lack of factual data to evidence that health and wellbeing services are equivalent to the wider community.
  • Limited amount and quality of purposeful activity, training, and employment opportunities, and a lack of offending behaviour programmes.
  • Slow movement of prisoners to lower categories (C and D) and a virtual moratorium on progression.
  • Staffing challenges including the ongoing loss of experienced officers and slow progress in the key worker scheme.
2022 PRISON Concerns Morton Hall
Published 9 May 2023 · 310 prisoners
Self-harm: 38 Assaults: 17 Staff assaults: 6
HMP Morton Hall, a Category C prison for foreign national men, has transitioned from an IRC during its first reporting year (Dec 2021-Dec 2022). It is a safe and humane establishment, effectively meeting health and wellbeing needs, despite operating with an evolving regime and a gradually increasing population. Key challenges include issues with Home Office processing for foreign national prisoners, regime consistency, and ensuring sufficient purposeful activity, all of which the Board highlights in its recommendations.
Key concerns identified
  • Many prisoners eligible for Early Removal Scheme (ERS) do not leave at the earliest opportunity.
  • Prisoners held under Immigration Act powers post-sentence (IS91) do not receive timely notification from the Home Office.
  • The slow increase in prisoner population led to frequent regime adjustments and limited purposeful activity for much of the year.
  • Systems for interprison property transfer need improvement.
  • The daily food cost allowance is insufficient given inflation and reliance on carbohydrates.
  • Librarian services lack absence relief cover, leading to library closures.
  • Canteen goods quality is an issue, with bad fruit/mouldy cheese and delays in refunds.
  • Prisoners' work ethic and punctuality for work need improvement.
  • Roll reconciliation processes delay prisoner access to planned activities.
2022 PRISON Concerns Hollesley Bay
Published 28 Apr 2023
Self-harm: 5 Assaults: 2 Staff assaults: 0
Hollesley Bay is an open Category D YOI prison commend for its safe and humane treatment of prisoners, effective COVID-19 management, and progress in equality and resettlement. The introduction of the 'sequencing' regime has provided a more structured approach to learning and external employment. However, the report highlights concerns regarding the prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, significant backlog in estate maintenance, and perceived inadequacy of food provision. Healthcare delivery is generally satisfactory, though high DNA rates for appointments due to communication issues and dental waiting times require attention.
Key concerns identified
  • The government's decision not to support the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners.
  • The continued prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, despite the addition of new units providing an opportunity to eliminate them.
  • The ongoing backlog of repair and maintenance issues affecting the prison's fabric, including plumbing, roofs, and general appearance.
  • The perceived inadequacy of food provision, particularly lunch, and concerns about food transport to HMP Warren Hill.
  • High Did Not Attend (DNA) rates for both general healthcare and dental appointments, often attributed to staff not passing on appointment letters promptly.
  • A persistent lack of trust among some Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) prisoners in the formal complaints system, despite robust equality monitoring.
2022 PRISON Concerns Brixton
Published 27 Apr 2023 · 722 prisoners
Self-harm: 204 Assaults: 180
HMP Brixton experienced significant challenges in the reporting year, emerging from pandemic lockdowns with a loss of momentum in improvements. An unannounced inspection in March 2022 found the prison 'in trouble', noting declines in safety, respect, and purposeful activity since 2019. Key issues included increased violence, inadequate accommodation, insufficient purposeful activity, and significant difficulties with resettlement, particularly regarding Category D transfers and post-release accommodation.
Key concerns identified
  • Overcrowded and inadequate accommodation: many prisoners share cramped, dilapidated cells.
  • Insufficient purposeful activity: not enough work or training places, leading to a restrictive regime.
  • Increase in violence: assault rates were higher than in previous years.
  • Lack of consistent key worker provision: impacting prisoner support.
  • Shortage of Category D places and delays in transfer to open conditions: hindering resettlement.
  • Lack of accommodation for men on release: particularly in London, undermining resettlement efforts.
  • Inappropriate allocation of prisoners: many arriving without sentence plans or unsuitable for the prison's profile.
2022 PRISON Concerns Guys Marsh
Published 25 Apr 2023 · 491 prisoners
Self-harm: 416 Assaults: 205 Staff assaults: 75
HMP Guys Marsh saw a return to a more normal regime after Covid restrictions, but persistent challenges remained, notably in staffing, safety, and healthcare provision. Violence, often driven by illicit substances, and the lack of effective key working were significant concerns. While some areas like the ISMS team and chaplaincy were commended, mental health services were hampered by the absence of a psychiatrist, and a death in custody highlighted communication and ACCT deficiencies. The Board also raised concerns about low attendance at purposeful activity, the condition of the estate's infrastructure, and the slow complaints process.
Key concerns identified
  • The ongoing challenge of illicit items, including throwovers and drones, driven by Organised Crime Groups, necessitating a more sophisticated combat approach.
  • Persistent staffing issues, including absenteeism, staff retention, and the inability to deliver effective key working within the OMIC framework.
  • Significant concerns regarding mental healthcare provision, specifically the absence of a psychiatrist and long waiting times for hospital transfers, highlighted by a death in custody and PPO criticism of ACCT processes.
  • Low attendance at purposeful activity and work, attributed to cultural issues and inadequate incentives, compounded by the fragmentation of resettlement services.
  • Substandard estate conditions, including an unfit district heating main, an unkempt external environment, and issues arising from a disastrous main laundry refit.
  • Slow and often inadequate responses within the prisoner complaints process.
2022 PRISON Concerns Long Lartin
Published 14 Apr 2023 · 530 prisoners
Self-harm: 412 Assaults: 114 Staff assaults: 70
HMP Long Lartin faced a challenging year ending December 2022, primarily due to severe uniformed staff shortages that limited regime provision and hindered recovery from pandemic restrictions. Key concerns included inadequate infrastructure and maintenance, persistent issues with illicit items and safety, and the degrading conditions in cells lacking running water. Despite these challenges, healthcare provision saw some improvements, and the IMB maintained a productive relationship with prison management.
Key concerns identified
  • The severe shortage of uniformed staff severely hindered the prison's emergence from Covid-19 restrictions and limited the regime.
  • Ageing infrastructure and unsatisfactory maintenance support from the contractor, Amey, created a difficult environment.
  • Unreliable faulty security systems, visible rat infestation, and the inability to minimise access to illicit drugs posed constant safety risks.
  • Cells on four wings lack running water and sanitation, which falls below modern standards of decency for approximately half of all prisoners.
  • Prisoners remain in the Care, Separation and Reintegration Unit (CSRU) for extended periods due to a lack of suitable alternatives.
  • The condition of the healthcare centre (HCC), especially the inpatient unit and facilities for disabled prisoners, is inadequate and unsuitable.
  • Significant delays persist for transfers of mental health patients to secure hospitals.
2022 PRISON Concerns Ford
Published 13 Apr 2023 · 384 prisoners
Self-harm: 0 Assaults: 1
HMP Ford is largely deemed a safe environment with fair and humane treatment, effective healthcare, and strong resettlement efforts. However, significant concerns remain regarding unsuitable prisoner arrivals, chronic understaffing in Probation, and a deteriorating prison estate, including outdated accommodation and delays in new builds. The Board also highlights issues with procurement, the lack of consistency in property rules nationally, and challenges in catering and post-release accommodation.
Key concerns identified
  • Worsening situation in the Probation Service significantly hampers resettlement.
  • Failure of Metropolitan Police to carry out necessary checks for resettlement.
  • IPP sentences are inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners.
  • High number of unsuitable prisoners arriving at Ford.
  • Largely cosmetic accommodation improvements and continued deterioration of property infrastructure.
  • Uncertainty in committing funding for activities and capital projects.
  • HMPPS procurement processes not delivering timely solutions.
  • Lack of consistency between prisons on permitted property.
  • Domestic washing machines in pods are not sufficiently robust.
  • Challenges in providing a nutritious menu due to budget and poor ingredient quality.
  • High canteen prices compared to external supermarkets.
  • Constant IT issues with the virtual campus.
  • Difficulty in obtaining post-release accommodation.
2022 PRISON Concerns Durham
Published 31 Mar 2023 · 976 prisoners
Self-harm: 486 Assaults: 225 Staff assaults: 55
HMP Durham, a reception and resettlement prison, housed 976 prisoners at year-end, with 61.6% on remand, operating above its certified capacity. The Board commends staff for managing a challenging environment, noting that 93% of prisoners feel safe. Key concerns include persistent overcrowding, the increasing time unsentenced prisoners spend on remand due to court backlogs, and inadequate access to dentistry and certain induction processes. The report highlights improvements in staff attendance at key meetings and UoF monitoring, but also calls for better embedding of BWVC use and addressing regime limitations affecting education and resettlement.
Key concerns identified
  • Persistent prison overcrowding and its impact on prisoner dignity.
  • Increased time unsentenced prisoners are spending on remand due to court backlogs.
  • Slow refurbishment of A wing due to inability to decant prisoners.
  • Limited social video calls, impacting out-of-area and foreign national prisoners.
  • Lack of access to probation services for remand prisoners prior to release.
  • Dire issue of access to dentistry.
  • Inconsistent delivery of first night and first day inductions for prisoners moving directly from reception to SACU.
  • Failure to ensure all new prisoners in reception receive healthcare screening before moving to first night centres.
  • Gaps in the completion of supervisors’ daily checks on ACCT documents.
  • Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) use is still not embedded into the prison's culture.
  • Frequent cancellation of prisoner consultation meetings.
  • Deterioration of refreshments in the visits hall tea bar.
  • Uncertainty about the future of the 'early days in custody' service.
  • Delay in implementing the short sentence framework.
  • Cells remain inappropriate for disabled or aged prisoners; basic showering and heat control issues are endemic.
  • Men held under Immigration Act powers remain too long in HMP Durham.
  • Community Rehabilitation Service provision excludes remand prisoners from accommodation support on release.
  • Backlog of personal learning plans and low attendance in education and work.
2022 PRISON Concerns Forest Bank
Published 30 Mar 2023
Self-harm: 800 Assaults: 574
HMP Forest Bank transitioned to a reception and resettlement prison, facing challenges from Covid-19 impacts and staff shortages, though a comprehensive reform programme has since improved conditions. Violence and self-harm levels began to decrease, and purposeful activity, alongside time out of cell, increased significantly by the end of the reporting period. While healthcare provision maintained a good standard, mental health transfer waiting times remained a significant concern.
Key concerns identified
  • Ongoing pressure on HMP Forest Bank to accommodate new arrivals, leading to diversions to other prisons.
  • Long waiting times for Mental Health Act transfers to hospital, which are detrimental to prisoners’ mental health.
  • Lack of adequate resourcing for a staffed inpatient unit and further therapeutic services in healthcare.
  • Education curriculum not aligned with the changing needs and demographics of the prison population.
  • High levels of violence, particularly in-cell violence, and disproportionate involvement of young adults (18-25).
  • Poor standard of shower facilities, lacking sufficient privacy for prisoners.
  • Key worker scheme struggling due to ongoing staff shortages and insufficient quality engagement with prisoners.
  • Persistent issues with missing property, especially during transfers or moves within the prison.
2022 PRISON Concerns Haverigg
Published 29 Mar 2023 · 326 prisoners
Self-harm: 9 Assaults: 3 Staff assaults: 0
HMP Haverigg, an open Category D prison, maintains a safe and settled environment with very low levels of self-harm and violence. Despite significant staffing challenges, particularly in healthcare and offender management, the Board notes improvements in OMU staffing and highly regarded healthcare provision. Key concerns include the ineffective management of transfers from closed estates, inconsistencies across prisons, the need for enhanced IPP prisoner support, and persistent issues with prisoner property and communication from offender managers.
Key concerns identified
  • The ineffective management of prisoner transfers from Category C to Category D prisons, despite available spaces at Haverigg, missing an opportunity to ease pressure on the closed estate.
  • Apparent inconsistencies across prisons in areas such as victim support levy application, returns to closed establishments, discharges to no fixed abode, and permissible property items, causing confusion for prisoners.
  • The need for additional support from the Prison Service for the vulnerable cohort of IPP prisoners, who constitute over 30% of Haverigg's population.
  • A reduction in GP sessions and reliance on locums, placing considerable pressure on the healthcare service.
  • Persistent issues with prisoners' property going missing, particularly during transfers between establishments.
  • Delays and lack of proactive communication from the Offender Management Unit (OMU) and POMs, leading to prisoner frustrations regarding sentence management and ROTL access.
2022 PRISON Concerns Drake Hall
Published 28 Mar 2023 · 275 prisoners
Self-harm: 180 Assaults: 33 Staff assaults: 7
Drake Hall generally provides a safe and humane environment, with commendable staff efforts and good healthcare provision. Key concerns persist regarding the unfit condition of two accommodation units, persistent issues with lost property on transfer, and challenges in education provision post-pandemic. The Board also highlights the difficulty in preparing women transferred close to their release dates for resettlement and issues with mental health staffing and low reporting of discrimination incidents.
Key concerns identified
  • The condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, which are not fit for purpose and need replacing, a concern raised for nearly 20 years.
  • Delayed or lost property on transfer, a systemic issue across the prison service that causes unnecessary distress and is an increasing cause for concern.
  • Increasing numbers of women being transferred shortly before their release date, making it impossible to prepare them for resettlement.
  • The ongoing challenges in the provision of education since the pandemic, leading to low take-up and attendance.
  • Concerns that women do not feel comfortable submitting Discrimination Incident Report Forms (DIRFs), despite an excellent equalities structure.
  • The inability to recruit a trainee psychologist on site due to the absence of on-site supervision from a consultant psychologist, impacting women's mental wellbeing.
2022 PRISON Concerns Deerbolt
Published 24 Mar 2023
HMP/YOI Deerbolt experienced significant challenges during the reporting year, primarily due to staff shortages which severely impacted the provision of purposeful activity and led to extensive lock-up times. Despite these difficulties, the IMB noted improvements in safety and morale towards the end of the period, driven by new management and increased staffing. Healthcare provision remained a strength, but concerns persist regarding regime restrictions, educational quality, and the effectiveness of key worker sessions.
Key concerns identified
  • There is a lack of purposeful activity, with prisoners locked up for up to 22-23 hours a day.
  • Staff shortages at Deerbolt are undeniably to blame for regime restrictions.
  • Housing more complex prisoners with longer sentences and those up to age 29, with facilities tailored for 18-21 year olds, makes it difficult to meet diverse prisoner needs.
  • Some prisoners feel under threat due to debts or inter-gang rivalries.
  • The infrequent level of key worker sessions and low number of wellbeing checks remain a concern.
  • There are difficulties in organising transfers for complex needs prisoners to more suitable establishments, compounded by population pressures and a lack of mental health beds.
  • The education service focuses on quantity over quality, raising concerns about its rehabilitative impact.
  • The refurbishment of A, D, and F wings has been delayed, costs increased, and all three wings closed simultaneously.
  • I wing had only three working showers out of ten, with poor screening, although most were repaired.
  • J wing has up to 16 cells out of use, including the only wheelchair accessible cell, mainly due to water leaks and poor maintenance.
  • Most laundry equipment is old, and breakdowns are difficult to repair.
  • Prisoners have raised concerns about the quality and portion size of food, often supplementing meals with canteen orders.
  • Issues with catering orders continue, leading to late menu changes.
  • The new incentives scheme's three-month good behaviour period for enhanced status is a challenge for some prisoners.
  • There is an absence of complaint forms and IMB application forms on the wings.
  • Personal possessions do not always arrive with prisoners transferred from other establishments.
  • High vacancy rates due to long-term sickness in Humankind's DART team hinder group work sessions for drug and alcohol recovery.
  • Education provision is frequently cancelled due to staffing or accommodation issues.
  • Access to education and vocational training is limited, especially for prisoners aged 25+, with options unchanged despite the age range increase.
  • Vocational training equipment is underutilised due to lack of servicing/repair.
  • There is a persistent lack of dialogue between case managers and prison officers regarding prisoner sentence plans.
  • Accredited programmes are limited, with a long waiting list for Kaizen, and prisoners struggle to discuss this with POMs.
  • The 10-minute limit on telephone calls is a concern, particularly for those with children.
  • A large portion of IMB applications are requests for transfers closer to home.
  • More support for the management team is needed, including reviewing staff pay to be more competitive and improve retention.
2022 PRISON Concerns Foston Hall
Published 23 Mar 2023 · 231 prisoners
HMP/YOI Foston Hall faced significant challenges in the reporting year, primarily due to acute staff shortages which severely impacted the regime, leading to frequent curtailments and long periods of cell confinement. Key concerns included high levels of self-harm and violence, inadequate accommodation, and slow progress in healthcare provision and resettlement outcomes. Despite these difficulties, the Board commended staff dedication and noted some improvements, such as the opening of better quality accommodation and enhanced chaplaincy services.
Key concerns identified
  • High levels of self-harm and prisoner-on-prisoner violence remain serious concerns.
  • Acute staff shortages severely impact the regime, leading to frequent curtailments and long periods of cell confinement.
  • There is inadequate accommodation, particularly in D wing and CSU, and issues with slow repairs and access to laundry facilities.
  • Healthcare faces challenges with staff recruitment, missed appointments, and significant delays in mental health transfers to secure hospitals.
  • Progress on equalities and support for foreign national prisoners and those with protected characteristics is slow.
  • Education delivery and resettlement outcomes (employment, accommodation) are poor due to staff shortages and regime restrictions.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wayland
Published 17 Mar 2023
The IMB for HMP Wayland concludes that the prison continues to be failed by the Prison Service and the government across multiple areas, from infrastructure maintenance to adequate staffing and training. The report notes a decline in the quality and effectiveness of prisoner treatment, with key concerns including prisoner safety, deteriorating accommodation, and inadequate resettlement support. While some positive initiatives have begun, the Board finds that fundamental issues persist and require urgent, comprehensive intervention.
Key concerns identified
  • A significant proportion of prisoners (30.5%) report feeling unsafe after reception, an increase from previous years.
  • The prison's basic accommodation and wider infrastructure are in accelerated decay, with conditions in some units bordering on inhumane due to non-functioning heating and windows.
  • Critical staffing shortages, high turnover, and a lack of experienced officers severely hinder effective prisoner management and rehabilitation, with training for new recruits being inadequate.
  • Prisoners express significant dissatisfaction with healthcare provision, citing extreme waiting times for GP appointments.
  • The prison is failing prisoners at almost every level in their progression towards successful resettlement, with 20% having no known discharge address.
  • The induction process for new prisoners is consistently reported as unhelpful, with 70% of respondents stating it did not meet their needs.
  • The new segregation unit remains unused due to procurement and technical issues, and plans lack adequate staffing to provide the necessary 'care' element.
  • Frequent prisoner property complaints persist due to inadequate management systems during reception, transfer, and cell clearances.
2022 PRISON Concerns Elmley
Published 16 Mar 2023
Self-harm: 660 Assaults: 390
HMP Elmley, a local prison, navigated Covid disruptions to improve prisoner experience and reduce violence through increased key work and a young adult strategy. While the Board noted improvements in safety scrutiny, complaint resolution, and resettlement opportunities, significant concerns remain regarding the treatment and information provision for foreign national prisoners by the Home Office. Other challenges include the poor condition of the prison estate, persistent staffing shortages across key departments, and inadequate activity spaces impacting rehabilitation efforts.
Key concerns identified
  • Foreign national prisoners lack formal engagement from the Home Office, especially those on remand, who are left in limbo with limited access to immigration authorities.
  • Concerns about allocating funds for a new house block while the existing prison fabric urgently needs attention.
  • Insufficient activity spaces and skills-based tuition hinder purposeful activity and rehabilitation.
  • Underlying causes of self-harm are not adequately addressed (a repeated concern from the previous year).
  • Cells are in poor condition due to age and maintenance issues, making furniture and equipment replacement difficult and negatively impacting rehabilitation.
  • Staffing in the Offender Management Unit is severely reduced, leading to heavy caseloads, infrequent prisoner contact, and delays in offender assessments and HDC administration.
  • The reduced service at the visitors' centre, now run by Pact, threatens family contact and rehabilitation efforts.
2022 PRISON Concerns Hewell
Published 15 Mar 2023 · 886 prisoners
Self-harm: 539
HMP Hewell, a Category B local prison, has shown continued progress in improving safety, cleanliness, and overall humane treatment. Positive developments include enhanced physical healthcare and the establishment of a mental health unit. However, the report highlights persistent challenges such as overcrowding, the poor physical condition of the estate, delays in court proceedings impacting remand prisoners, and slow implementation of a rehabilitative culture, alongside inadequate provision for prisoners with complex needs and disabilities.
Key concerns identified
  • Inadequate services for prisoners with severe mental health, psychological, or social needs, often leading to inappropriate accommodation in segregation.
  • The inhumane practice of cell sharing in cells designed for one, often with open toilets, necessitates capital investment to end.
  • Court delays contribute to an increased number of remanded prisoners and prolonged detention, impacting their entitlements and the prison regime.
  • A significant gap exists between national aspirations for resettlement and the reality of homelessness, poverty, and limited post-release support.
  • Insufficient funding for building improvements, particularly for prisoners with disabilities and accessibility needs.
  • A lack of embedded therapeutic interventions to address trauma, neurodiversity, and social/psychological problems among prisoners, hindering resettlement.
  • Healthcare contracts need review to ensure safe out-of-hours cover and reduce reliance on external services and escorts.
  • The intended culture change, including the key worker model and consistent staff-prisoner relationships, has not been fully embedded due to staffing and other operational issues.
  • Systemic issues with equality and diversity persist, evidenced by inadequate data, insufficient facilities for disabled prisoners, and limited support for foreign nationals and those with limited English.
2022 PRISON Concerns Eastwood Park
Published 10 Mar 2023 · 246 prisoners
HMP/YOI Eastwood Park faced a challenging reporting year (Nov 2021 – Oct 2022), marked by critical staffing shortages (17.5% below target), two deaths in custody, and exceptionally high self-harm levels, leading the IMB to no longer consider it safe for all women. The prison struggled with an increasing number of women with complex mental health needs, exacerbated by inadequate facilities and a lack of external secure placements, resulting in extended periods of segregation for some. Despite these issues, the Board commended staff professionalism, welcomed the new ONE women’s centre, and noted the prison’s high functional skills achievements.
Key concerns identified
  • Staffing levels are 17.5% below target, contributing to an unsafe environment and frequent cancellation of essential regime activities.
  • There are exceptionally high levels of self-harm and two deaths in custody, highlighting severe mental health issues among prisoners.
  • The prison struggles to manage women with severe mental health and complex needs due to unsuitable facilities (e.g., Residential Unit 4) and a critical shortage of external secure mental health beds, leading to containment rather than treatment.
  • A prisoner with an acquired brain injury was continuously segregated for 1,484 days due to the absence of appropriate secure facilities for women with such injuries.
  • Ongoing delays in the construction of the new activities centre are hindering rehabilitation and purposeful activity provision.
  • Prisoners face lengthy and uncomfortable daily journeys to court in PECS transport with unsuitable sanitary facilities.
  • The national instruction to end team-based rostering led to officer resignations and a breakdown of staff-prisoner relationships, further impacting key work and staff experience.
  • Lengthy delays in convening complex case boards mean transgender prisoners are held in segregation for extended periods.
  • Inadequate property management continues to be a major source of prisoner complaints and distress.
  • There is a lack of suitable accommodation and facilities for older prisoners and those with disabilities, alongside a lack of clear action on disproportionality in complaints from minority ethnic groups.
2022 PRISON Concerns Feltham
Published 9 Mar 2023 · 348 prisoners
Self-harm: 160 Assaults: 135 Staff assaults: 44
HMP/YOI Feltham reported a population of 348 young people and young adults at the end of the reporting year. While physical health and general well-being are met, the prison struggles with serious long-term mental health issues. Safety remains a significant concern, with a notable increase in violence and use of force incidents post-Covid, alongside challenges related to staffing, disrepair of the estate, and the regime's adaptation to larger groups. The IMB identified several key concerns, including inadequate time out of cell, insufficient support for looked after children, and issues with prison fabric and gang culture.
Key concerns identified
  • Time out of room (TOR) measurement and ensuring purposeful activity increases.
  • Lack of regular statutory visits and inadequate support for 'looked after children' (LACs) on Feltham A, and concerns about LACs entering custody with serious charges.
  • Persistent disrepair of prison fabric, including workshops, leaking roofs, and inadequate ventilation preventing in-room showers.
  • Increased violence and safety concerns post-Covid, particularly the risk of gang culture mirroring outside prison.
  • Delays in the Social Pantry project, impacting staff welfare and catering training for young adults.
  • Significant issues with IMB members' access to prison IT facilities, hindering monitoring efficiency.
  • Poor visibility of the IMB on in-cell laptops, with inadequate information and lack of encouragement for direct prisoner contact.
2022 PRISON Concerns Brinsford
Published 8 Mar 2023
Self-harm: 336 Assaults: 279 Staff assaults: 33
HMP/YOI Brinsford is deemed a safe prison with generally fair treatment of prisoners, showing reduced levels of self-harm and violence. Key concerns include an unfit education contract, a lack of purposeful activity, significant delays in transferring mentally ill prisoners to specialist care, and the poor condition of the estate and IT infrastructure. The key worker scheme also requires improvement to return to pre-pandemic effectiveness.
Key concerns identified
  • The excessive time prisoners held under Immigration Act powers are kept before transfer to an IRC or home country.
  • Persistent delays in transferring vulnerable prisoners with mental health problems to specialist care.
  • The education contract is unfit for purpose, and insufficient effort is made to motivate prisoner attendance.
  • Poor management of prisoner property, leading to complaints and compensation claims.
  • Outdated and failing IT infrastructure and the generally poor, outdated condition of the prison estate.
  • Insufficient and unmeaningful activity places, hindering resettlement efforts.
  • High number of prisoner transfers between establishments, making gang management difficult and hindering urgent moves.
  • The key worker scheme has not returned to pre-pandemic levels and requires improvement and staff training.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wormwood Scrubs
Published 7 Mar 2023 · 1,087 prisoners
Self-harm: 408 Assaults: 201 Staff assaults: 93
HMP Wormwood Scrubs experienced a slow return to normal regime during the reporting year ending May 2022, impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and persistent staff shortages. The Board noted some improvements in reception and healthcare provision but raised significant concerns regarding the poor quality of food, high number of cancelled hospital appointments, and long delays for mental health transfers. Key challenges included disproportionate use of force against Black prisoners, a largely closed library and depleted education, and a patchy key worker scheme.
Key concerns identified
  • Failure to provide key information in prisoners' own language in reception, a repeated concern.
  • The poor quality, quantity, and distribution method of food, leading to significant waste and prisoner dissatisfaction.
  • Persistent staff shortages hindering the key worker scheme and contributing to a patchy, restricted regime, with some prisoners spending up to 23 hours in their cells.
  • Significant issues in healthcare including cancelled hospital appointments due to escort shortages, long waits for mental health referrals, and unacceptable delays in transferring mentally ill patients.
  • The continued closure of the library and the severe depletion of face-to-face education throughout the reporting year.
  • Disproportionate use of force against Black prisoners and concerns about racial inequality in job allocation and the ineffectiveness of the DIRF system.
2022 PRISON Concerns Wakefield
Published 3 Mar 2023 · 717 prisoners
Self-harm: 444 Assaults: 51 Staff assaults: 57
HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison for men, is generally considered safe but experienced increases in assaults and use of force. Key concerns include persistent issues with mental health transfers, a lack of robust healthcare complaints processes, and the absence of in-cell telephony. The Board also highlighted unsatisfactory property management and insufficient purposeful activity for prisoners.
Key concerns identified
  • The IMB raised concerns about the continuing challenges with the assessment and transfer of prisoners with serious mental health and personality disorders to hospital.
  • The lack of in-cell telephony significantly impacted prisoners' ability to maintain contact with family and access support, particularly during COVID-19 restrictions.
  • The Board found the healthcare complaints procedure to be insufficiently robust and opaque, hindering effective monitoring of contractor performance.
  • Unsatisfactory management of prisoner property led to significant frustration and compensation claims.
  • Concerns were raised regarding the low engagement of prisoners in purposeful activity and education opportunities.
  • The paper-based ACCT system was identified as a barrier to efficient and timely sharing of crucial safety-related data between prison and healthcare staff.
2022 PRISON Concerns Bure
Published 28 Feb 2023 · 619 prisoners
Self-harm: 347 Assaults: 20 Staff assaults: 10
HMP Bure maintained fair and humane treatment for prisoners and managed the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, with high vaccination rates and low violence. However, persistent issues such as double cells, delayed maintenance for the heating system and solar panels, and the absence of in-cell telephony remain. The Board also highlighted concerns about IPP prisoners, the lack of palliative care, and the unfunded resettlement provision.
Key concerns identified
  • The continued use of cramped and unsuitable double cells, particularly on residential unit 7, preventing the prison from operating at nominal accommodation.
  • The ongoing plight of IPP prisoners held long beyond their tariffs, with the Board questioning the burden of proof for their release.
  • The heating system on residential unit 7 remains unrepaired despite being reported last year and funding previously allocated.
  • Solar panels installed on the kitchen and residential unit 7 have been inoperable since early 2022, preventing energy savings.
  • The absence of in-cell telephony, a long-standing concern, restricts private conversations and call times for prisoners.
  • Inequitable national pay rates for prisoners, which differ across establishments while canteen costs are uniform.
  • Only four accessible cells are available, making basic access challenging for disabled prisoners in standard cells.
  • Delays in prisoners receiving medication and attending medical appointments due to late wing roll checks.
  • The lack of palliative and end-of-life care facilities for an aging prisoner population.
  • Persistent delays in offending behaviour programme delivery, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
  • HMP Bure's unfunded role in resettlement, leading to releases into the community due to a lack of suitable places elsewhere.
  • A limited resettlement pathway specifically for men convicted of sexual offences.
2022 PRISON Concerns The Verne
Published 22 Feb 2023 · 599 prisoners
Self-harm: 85 Assaults: 29 Staff assaults: 2
HMP The Verne, an adult training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, has largely restored its 'core day' regime following COVID-19, maintaining a safe environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and high-quality healthcare. However, the report highlights critical issues, particularly regarding the inadequate 24-hour social care and onsite hospital provision for its growing elderly and frail population. Significant understaffing in the Offender Management Unit continues to undermine resettlement efforts for the substantial number of prisoners released directly from this training prison, alongside concerns about low prisoner pay and a third of the population lacking purposeful activity.
Key concerns identified
  • Lack of 24-hour social care provision and inadequate care packages for frail elderly prisoners, particularly those with incontinence.
  • Serious understaffing of the Offender Management Unit, significantly impacting resettlement provision.
  • Absence of a community hospital or equivalent onsite facility for elderly prisoners, leading to cancelled external appointments and strain on escort staff.
  • Unsatisfactory resettlement provision, including a lack of dedicated funding, for prisoners released directly from this training prison.
  • Approximately one-third of the prisoner population is not engaged in purposeful activity.
  • Low prisoner pay compared to other prisons, causing discontent.
2022 PRISON Concerns East Sutton Park
Published 15 Feb 2023
This report for HMP East Sutton Park covers the period from November 2021 to October 2022. The Board finds the open women's prison to be largely safe and well-run, with good staff-resident relationships and effective resettlement efforts, particularly in securing external employment. Key concerns include the low population numbers hindering full use of capacity, residents arriving with insufficient time for resettlement, and the need to review fire evacuation procedures.
Key concerns identified
  • The number of women entering the prison is below capacity, limiting the number who can benefit from its resettlement preparation.
  • Many residents arrive with too little time remaining on their sentences to fully engage with and benefit from the resettlement programme.
  • Other prisons are slow or fail to respond to complaints made by ESP residents against them.
  • The fire contingency plan requires urgent review and careful monitoring to ensure its effectiveness across all areas of the prison.
  • The canteen list needs more regular review to ensure it remains relevant to the needs of residents.
  • There is a need to train more Listeners due to several existing Listeners leaving the prison during 2022.
« Prev Page 9 of 16 Next »