Care and discharge planning

HMP The Verne maintains a generally safe and respectful environment, successfully implementing a new self-harm monitoring system and demonstrating strong staff-prisoner relationships. The Board commends the high-quality physical healthcare provision, including excellent vaccination rates, and welcomes the establishment of a new 16-room social care unit aimed at addressing the long-standing concern for elderly and frail prisoners. However, significant challenges persist, particularly in resettlement provision, severe understaffing in the Offender Management Unit leading to backlogs, and long waiting times for mental health services and external healthcare appointments due to staff shortages.

HMP Ashfield continues to be a well-run Category C prison for men serving sentences for sexual offences, known for its safe environment and humane treatment. Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily regime and programme delivery, staff were highly commended for their support and resilience. Key concerns include the persistent lack of suitable accommodation for release, issues with property management from other establishments, and the growing backlog for intervention programmes due to COVID-19 restrictions, which could hinder prisoner progression and parole.

Conditions at HMP/YOI Bedford generally improved over the reporting year, with commendations for the Governor's leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. While prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and self-harm incidents reduced, staff assaults and use of force remained worryingly high. Significant concerns persist regarding the ACCT process, the physical state of the segregation unit, and the high number of prisoners released without stable accommodation. Healthcare was satisfactory, but the mental health team's working practices require review, and issues with the Victorian estate infrastructure and the perceived unfairness of the IEP scheme need addressing.

The IMB Charter Flight Monitoring Team's 2020 report highlighted grave concerns regarding the inhumane treatment of vulnerable detainees, particularly Dublin Convention returnees who had recently self-harmed, with no health information shared with receiving countries. It noted unacceptably long periods of confinement in vehicles during transfers, lack of privacy during WC use, and inconsistent provision of information and support. The Board welcomed improved HOIE oversight and more consistent information provision by escorts, but reiterated several unaddressed recommendations regarding welfare and procedural fairness.

The IMB report for Gatwick, Stansted, Luton Airports and Lunar House covers the period January to December 2020. It notes that while staff generally treated detained individuals fairly and humanely, significant concerns exist regarding the physical limitations of the holding rooms, which lack natural light, fresh air, and adequate washing facilities. A primary concern is the inadequate arrangements for monitoring medical welfare and accessing urgent medication, compounded by the absence of trained medical staff on site. The Board made recommendations to the Home Office and Detention Contractor to address these healthcare deficiencies.

HMP/YOI Thorn Cross continued to be a safe and respectful environment, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board noted good healthcare provision and a strong rehabilitative culture, supported by the welcomed use of mobile phones. Key concerns include the national reduction in open estate places, insufficient resources for prisoners with complex needs, and persistent issues with IT systems and missing property during transfers.

The Independent Monitoring Board for Dover Short-Term Holding Facility reported on the period of January 2019 to December 2020, during which detainee numbers significantly increased. Key concerns included the unsuitability of the facilities for the high volume of detainees and extended stays, particularly for vulnerable individuals and children. The Board highlighted issues with mental health provision, the practicality of COVID-19 measures, and detainees' lack of clear information or external contact, despite staff largely treating detainees with respect.

HMP Stocken, a category C training prison, experienced significant disruption during the reporting year (May 2020 – April 2021) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, yet managed a commendable response to the outbreak and achieved high vaccination rates. Despite an extended period of restricted regime, the Board found the prison generally safe and commended the leadership and staff. Key concerns include persistent issues with prisoner transfers, resettlement support, and access to programmes.

HMP The Verne experienced a challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a major outbreak, significant staff absences, and disruption to the prison regime, including education, work, and visits. Despite these challenges, the prison maintained a very safe environment with low violence, and the Board commended staff dedication and the strong ethos of mutual respect. Key concerns persist regarding the provision of 24-hour social and healthcare for the ageing population, slow progress on a proposed hospital unit, and the need for more purposeful activity.

The Dover Independent Monitoring Board's 2021 report details critical issues at the Tug Haven, Kent Intake Unit (KIU), and Frontier House Short-Term Holding Facilities. While some initial improvements were noted in induction processes and staff interactions, the facilities were largely unsuitable for their purpose, particularly Tug Haven, which routinely held detainees overnight in overcrowded, unheated tents with inadequate sleeping, washing, and food provisions. Significant concerns were raised about poor hygiene, brief and ineffective medical screenings leading to undetected serious injuries, and excessive lengths of stay, causing distress and confusion among detainees, including vulnerable families and children.

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.

HMP Aylesbury, a Category C prison, completed its transformation from a YOI this year, adapting to an older population with improved but still sub-standard regime delivery. Significant efforts were made to enhance safety, reduce gang violence, and manage illicit items, though their incursion remains a serious problem. While staffing levels improved, staff inexperience and a lack of purposeful activity remain key challenges impacting prisoner wellbeing, progression, and resettlement, as evidenced by long waiting times for healthcare and inadequate release preparation.

HMP North Sea Camp is a Category D open prison providing a safe and humane environment with a new Governor making positive regime and community engagement changes. While healthcare and education services receive commendations, significant concerns persist around inadequate accommodation standards, particularly for double rooms and dormitories, and the lack of on-site residential healthcare for complex needs. The Board also highlights issues with delayed Offender Assessment System (OASys) completion by Community Offender Managers and the ongoing lack of progress for IPP prisoners.

This report covers the Glasgow, Edinburgh and Larne House Short-Term Holding Facilities from February 2019 to January 2020. The Board found that detainees are largely treated humanely and respectfully by DCOs across all establishments, noting good practice in various areas. However, significant concerns remain regarding the adequacy of airport Holding Rooms for longer stays, including lack of fresh air, natural light, showering facilities, and exercise opportunities. Other key issues include delays in building work at Glasgow Airport, inadequate separation of female accommodation at Larne House, and problems with accessing prescribed medication for detainees.

HMP/YOI Downview is considered a safe and humane prison where healthcare needs are largely met. However, the Board identified significant challenges including an unsatisfactory induction process, unsuitable long-term segregation for complex cases, and persistent issues with London weighting affecting staff recruitment. Key working remains unimplemented, and both purposeful activity and resettlement efforts are hampered by short sentences and difficulties accessing performance data from service providers like Weston College and the CRC.

HMP East Sutton Park maintained a safe and supportive environment for women prisoners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully adapting education and family contact. However, significant concerns remain regarding the insufficient time prisoners have to benefit from resettlement, inconsistent transfers from closed establishments, and pandemic-induced disruptions to sentence planning. Staffing issues in key areas and challenges with dental provision and enabling internet access for distance learning were also highlighted.

This IMB annual report for HMP/YOI Eastwood Park for the year ending October 2020 highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prison operations and monitoring. While staff efforts and communication were generally commendable, concerns persist regarding rising self-harm incidents, ongoing violence towards staff, and the continuous flow of illicit substances. The Board remains particularly concerned about the prolonged segregation of a brain-injured prisoner and the lack of appropriate secure specialist facilities for women with complex needs.

HMP Durham transitioned to a reception and resettlement prison for adult males and young offenders in February 2020. The reporting year was significantly impacted by COVID-19, leading to a restricted regime for much of the period. The Board noted positive developments in first night inductions, a reduction in self-harm, and improved healthcare provision by a new contractor. However, persistent concerns include overcrowding, low levels of key workers and Listeners, and the prolonged detention of immigration detainees. The report also highlights challenges with access to purposeful activity for specific prisoner groups and staffing consistency in healthcare.

The reporting year 2020 was exceptional due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the Gatwick Pre-departure Accommodation (PDA) being largely closed from March onwards. Only three families were held between January and March, none of whom were removed from the UK; all were released back into the community. Consequently, the Independent Monitoring Board's annual report for this period is necessarily limited in its scope and findings.

HMP Full Sutton's IMB report for 2020 highlights the extensive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prison's operations, with significant regime restrictions in place. Despite these challenges, the prison successfully maintained safety, experienced reductions in self-harm and assaults, and generally treated prisoners humanely. However, opportunities for purposeful activity, education, and progression were severely curtailed, and previous recommendations on these issues remain unaddressed due to the pandemic.

In 2020, Brook House IRC faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a contract change to Serco, and a compressed charter flight programme for Dublin Convention removals. The Board found the centre unsafe for vulnerable detainees in the latter months, marked by a dramatic increase in self-harm and suicidal ideation, and inhumane treatment of detainees due to Home Office policies. Delays in Rule 35 assessments, inadequate inductions, and issues with property and communication from the Home Office were key concerns, despite a welcome increase in staff numbers and some improvements in facilities.

This report presents the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Exeter for the year 2020. The prison managed the COVID-19 pandemic well, with a settled atmosphere and low virus transmission, despite severe restrictions curtailing regime activities. While staff provided humane treatment and healthcare met community standards, significant concerns persist regarding the inadequate provision for prisoners with serious mental health issues, challenges in staff recruitment and retention, and the limited opportunities for education and resettlement due to the restricted regime.

Dungavel House IRC successfully managed its operations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with no detainee infections and staff commended for their resilience. Detainees report feeling safe, benefiting from good healthcare, a relaxed regime, and improved escort services. However, concerns persist regarding the length of detention, roof access, staff training, parking, and gate upgrades.

HMP Swaleside experienced a challenging year due to COVID-19, but management and staff were commended for their exceptional response and innovative strategies. The prison maintained a positive trajectory with declining violence and improved humane treatment, though concerns persist regarding resettlement provision and the mental health impact of prolonged lockdown. Key issues include kitchen capacity, access to confidential complaints, and disparities in opportunities for vulnerable groups.

This IMB report for Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) highlights an increase in both Board membership and visits, alongside a rise in the number of people detained during 2023. Key concerns include significant safety risks for female detainees at Manchester RSTHF due to co-location with male Foreign National Offenders and a general lack of essential provisions like hot food, CCTV, and prompt access to prescribed medication in other facilities. The report also notes delays in addressing maintenance issues and reliance on external emergency services for medical needs.

HMP Rye Hill, a privately run Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, successfully managed a significant expansion and recategorisation during the reporting year. The prison saw a considerable reduction in violence, self-harm, and use of force, alongside an 'outstanding' CQC rating for its healthcare provision. Key concerns persist regarding the ongoing injustice of IPP sentences, the complexities of the compassionate release process, and issues with prisoner property and hospital escort availability.

HMP Erlestoke is a Category C training and resettlement prison with an operational capacity of 512. The Board observed improvements in healthcare attendance and use of force scrutiny, alongside a decrease in staff turnover. However, significant concerns remain regarding the deteriorating healthcare building, the pervasive availability of illicit substances, and the inadequate provision for vulnerable prisoners, including the elderly and those requiring essential medication on transfer.

HMP Channings Wood, a Category C prison, experienced an increase in deaths in custody and persistent issues with prisoner property and outstanding infrastructure repairs during the reporting period ending August 2025. Despite improvements in education attendance and some aspects of daily regime, concerns remain regarding out-of-hours healthcare for an ageing population, insufficient purposeful activity, and the negative impact of staffing reductions on key services. The Board highlights the inhumane conditions for IPP prisoners and notes a significant rise in prisoner complaints.

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

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

HMP/YOI Low Newton provides a generally safe and humane environment with high staff morale and respectful interactions. Healthcare provision is good for most, but the Board highlights long-standing concerns regarding the detention of mentally ill women due to a lack of community places and delays in hospital transfers. Deteriorating prison infrastructure, particularly leaky roofs, significantly impedes education and work opportunities. Resettlement efforts are hampered by a lack of suitable accommodation for a notable proportion of releases. The Board also raised concerns about drug misuse (Buscopan) and the need for more funding for key support services.

HMP North Sea Camp is an open Category D prison noted for its rehabilitative culture and generally humane treatment of residents. The Board commends improvements in healthcare and positive staff-resident relationships, alongside community engagement. However, significant concerns remain regarding delays in Offender Management paperwork, inadequate accommodation conditions (including continued use of dormitories), and a lack of specific facilities for end-of-life and dementia care for the prison's increasing elderly population. These issues, alongside property transfer problems and laundry machinery breakdowns, require urgent attention and capital investment.

HMP Lowdham Grange generally provides fair and humane treatment, evidenced by a positive regime and improved staffing stability. Violence has decreased, and healthcare provision is seeing significant improvements, although challenges remain with mental health transfers and inadequate accommodation. Concerns persist regarding property loss, the consistency of the key worker scheme, and slow progress for IPP prisoners, along with ongoing issues in education and access to local prisons for release planning.

HMP Hull, a category B local and YOI prison, recorded 8 deaths in custody this year, including four self-inflicted, but generally maintained a safe environment with reductions in violence and substance misuse incidents. While healthcare provision and purposeful activity are largely positive, the Board identified significant concerns including persistent problems with property management, delays in mental health transfers, slow contractor responses to maintenance, and a lack of post-release outcome data. Recommendations address these issues, aiming to improve prisoner experience, particularly for vulnerable individuals and young adults.

HMP/YOI Moorland, a Category C male resettlement prison, has reported significant improvements in safety metrics, including reductions in violence, self-harm, and drug use during the March 2019 – February 2020 reporting period. The Board noted positive developments in staff-prisoner relationships and the IEP system. However, national shortages in secure mental health beds, limited offending behaviour programmes, and a persistent lack of suitable accommodation for released prisoners remain key concerns.

HMP Nottingham saw overall improvements in fairness and safety during the reporting year, including a reduction in violence against staff and deaths in custody. However, self-harm incidents rose significantly, and concerns persist regarding long delays for mental health transfers and the high number of prisoners released without accommodation. The Board also highlighted issues with purposeful activity uptake and the key worker scheme's inconsistent implementation.

HMP/YOI New Hall received a generally positive assessment from the IMB for the reporting year ending February 2020, with prisoners treated fairly and humanely. The report highlighted improvements such as reduced self-harm, the introduction of in-cell telephony, and an outstanding education success rate of 96.69%. Key concerns, however, included long waits for mental health transfers, insufficient staffing and resources for vulnerable prisoners, and persistent issues with property transfer and resettlement accommodation.

Drake Hall continues to provide a safe and humane environment, with staff and prisoners adapting well to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining good order and low levels of violence. However, long-standing concerns persist regarding the unfit condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, and systemic issues with prisoner property transfers. The pandemic's restricted regime has impacted rehabilitation and purposeful activity, raising concerns about the mental health and resettlement prospects of prisoners, especially those shielding.

The reporting year was largely dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant regime restrictions. Despite these challenges, the Board found HMP/YOI Hindley to be a generally safe and humane environment, commending staff efforts in managing the pandemic and maintaining positive staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns remain around the cramped and unfit accommodation, the consistency of resettlement support, and the increased availability of illicit substances.

HMP Littlehey remains a safe, fair, and decent Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offenses, despite facing significant challenges. Key issues include persistent overcrowding, ongoing structural and heating problems, and inadequate provision for older prisoners and those with mental health needs, often leading to inappropriate CSU placements. The Board notes improvements in social care and equality monitoring, but highlights concerns regarding regime curtailments for staff training, slow responses to property complaints, and a backlog in offender management.

HMP Humber faced significant challenges in 2020, operating under severe COVID-19 restrictions for nine months. The Governor and staff were highly commended for their professionalism in maintaining safety and minimizing virus spread. However, the Board expressed grave concerns about the long-term impact of extended lock-up on prisoner mental health, progression, and purposeful activity, while persistent issues like property loss and PALS response delays remained problematic.

HMP/YOI Isis operated under a severely restricted regime throughout most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to prisoners spending up to 23.5 hours a day in their cells and limited access to education, work, and association. The Board commended the prison leadership for managing these challenges and highlighted improvements in hygiene, but raised significant concerns about the impact of the regime on prisoner well-being, the ongoing issue of housing prisoners with chronic mental health needs in an unsuitable environment, and persistent problems with staff recruitment and property transfers. Despite a drop in overall violence during lockdown, levels began to rise towards the year's end, particularly among young adults.

HMP Huntercombe, a Category C prison for foreign national men, successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic despite significant regime restrictions, with no deaths in custody and positive commendations for its healthcare team. The Board identified several areas for development, notably the unfairness of telephone charges and lack of in-cell telephony, and the concerning increase in time-served prisoners held under immigration powers. Issues surrounding meaningful vocational training and progression to open conditions for foreign national prisoners were also highlighted as key areas needing attention.

The Home Office and DET should provide greater guidance for detainees returning to a country where they have not lived for some time, ensuring that they are better equipped for their return.

The early identification of release areas by the probation service would be helpful where prisoners, because of the length of time served on remand, have only a week or so before release – better coordination in this area would be really useful.

There appears to be insufficient support for prisoners on release to prevent them returning to prison for short periods of time and/or being recalled due to relatively minor licence breaches. How will the Minister address this?

In common with other prisons, a small number of prisoners released from Ashfield in the last 12 months did not have suitable accommodation arranged prior to release. What solution is the Minister proposing to resolve this matter?

Will the minister explain why 36% of prisoners are released with no fixed abode, and why for the same reason prisoners suitable for home release are not being allowed out of HMP Ranby?

In view of the unfairness (and potential for discouragement) created when a lack of spaces in approved premises leads to delay in release on temporary licence (ROTL) and thus the potential timing of release (see paragraph 11.1), what action will the minister take to remedy this situation as a matter of urgency?

The Board understands the challenges which the COVID-19 pandemic has caused but is concerned about the consistency and availability of the information, advice and guidance provided for prisoners released from HMP/YOI Hindley.

Does the minister agree that assisting them to make progress to safe discharge should have a higher priority?

Can the process for prisoners to rejoin their community upon release be reviewed, to ensure all prisoners are offered accommodation upon release?

The shortage of probation officers, both at Send – where four of the six full-time equivalent probation officer posts are currently vacant – and in the community, has had a damaging effect on prisoners’ progression and prospects for successful reintegration into society.

The Board remains concerned that the movements from Category B to Category C and then to Category D prisons represent a particular problem for prisoners convicted of sexual offences and with the increasing number of direct releases (54 this year against only 20 in 2019/2020 reporting year) frequently leaves them being released with no specialist support.

How will the resettlement needs of remand prisoners be addressed, given the lack of provision for this in the current contract?

What efforts are being made to address the failure of Seetec to deliver on their contract responsibility to deliver a service that supports individuals to find suitable accommodation on release?

The Board remains concerned that prisoners are being released from Swaleside without proper support. How does the Governor plan to address this issue?

Could the prison develop comprehensive guidance for prisoners preparing for reintegration into the community, outlining the required steps and associated responsibilities to be completed prior to release, as well as identifying the appropriate contacts for assistance? The Board recommends establishing an orderly role to support prisoners nearing release.

The Board remains concerned about the high number of prisoners being released with no fixed abode? What steps will the Minister take to work with the relevant government departments to develop and implement a coordinated plan to address this serious issue?

The Board recommends that upon the release of STHF detainees, their destination addresses are confirmed as a matter of urgency to enable medical records to be forwarded swiftly to their GPs, so allowing access to essential medical care.

The Board notes that sometimes prisoner records are very slow in reaching the open estate. Assessment records which are locked or unavailable to the receiving establishment cause delay in the smooth transition of prisoners, on a fourfold basis: 1. in terms of liaison with statutory agencies 2. the assessment of risk 3. planning for ROTL and eventual release into the …

New prisoners are not receiving adequate induction and the Board is very concerned that prisoners are being released from Swaleside without proper support.

In the Board’s view, the early release scheme (ERS) has been poorly thought through and rolled out, relying on the offender management unit (OMU) to fill the gaps in the resettlement process without the staffing increase to accommodate the extra work. This has had an adverse effect on the quality of the service provided and means that prisoners are not …

HMPPS should take more action to support IPP prisoners, both leading up to and following release into the community.

The government’s early release and special licence schemes have failed, in large part, owing to the requirement to tag a prisoner to an address. What is the government proposing to do to address this issue while lockdown restrictions continue?

What support can be provided to help remand prisoners with release planning as they are not eligible for probation services?

Too many young people continue to be placed further than 50 miles from their home, thus reducing the potential to support family links. Is there anything that can be done to change this?

To provide more family engagement in preparation for prisoner’s release.

Need for inter-departmental communication relating to prisoners’ pathways to resettlement

Can there be a general improvement in sentence progression and resettlement services for prisoners?

The Board is concerned that prisoners have been transferred to HMP Littlehey, which does not have a 24-hour healthcare facility, when they were already very unwell. Although the Board recognises that HMP Littlehey provides excellent end of life care, it is concerned that such transfers could be detrimental to the transferring prisoner. The Board would like to understand the criteria …

The Home Office has a duty of care for those with mental health problems and to ensure that they are safe in the community they are released into. Robust support is required for detained people with mental health people who are released on bail.

delivery of the contracted family engagement resource.

The HMPPS’s Ageing Population Strategy was due to be published this year. Given the high proportion of older prisoners in HMP Dartmoor, when will this Strategy be published and when will initiatives to help older prisoners be announced?

What can be done to support and reduce the high number of men on remand who are released immediately from court on bail, licence or as time served?

Year after year, we have been told that the ageing population strategy is coming soon. As in our previous report, the Board asks, again, when will it arrive and what improvements will it bring to the living conditions and care needs of elderly prisoners?

Checks need to be put in place to ensure that critically unwell prisoners, suffering significant health problems, cannot be unilaterally transferred. Should this ever be necessary, it should not happen without prior negotiation with the receiving establishment and the provision of up to date and comprehensive medical records.

C&C should consider working more closely with the healthcare provider to maximise the value of the care suite for respite care for vulnerable detainees.

Provide feedback to HMP Maidstone on the effectiveness of activities undertaken to prepare prisoners for release both in the UK and abroad.

Prisoners need to attend the pre-release board and we hope that the prison can facilitate this.

HMPPS should consider prohibiting the transfer of a prisoner from one establishment to another within, say, three months of their release date unless there is a particular reason for doing so, such as to be nearer to their family.

Give permission to HMP Maidstone to offer a release on temporary licence.

What steps will be taken to speed up the work and enhance the efficiency of the community offender managers (COMs) in the external probation service?