HM Prison and Probation Service

Noted (AI summary) • HMPPS stated it is committed to tackling the ingress of drugs and other contraband into prisons. • All adult male closed prisons are equipped with X-ray body scanners. • All public sector prisons have been provided with trace detection equipment.

Noted (AI summary) HMP Guys Marsh has developed its Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) unit, provides comprehensive staff information on illicitly brewed alcohol, and ensures in-cell medication safes are available and fit for purpose. Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has committed to introducing regular assurance checks for all prisoners in receipt of IP medication. Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust will be developing and distributing new health promotion materials to the prison population at HMP Guys Marsh focusing on safe storage and proper disposal of medication. They have published a local In-possession Medication Compliance procedure outlining bi-monthly in-cell compliance checks. HMPPS has developed and disseminated materials focused on illicitly brewed alcohol (IBA), including the Drugs in Prison and Probation (DiPP) guide. The healthcare provider at HMP Guys Marsh, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, has committed to introducing regular assurance checks for all prisoners in receipt of IP medication, and in-cell lockers will be replaced if damaged. The Department acknowledges concerns about medication held in prisoners' possession, but states that national NHS policies for prisoners are the same as those used in the community. They believe existing processes, contractual monitoring, and learning from serious incidents are sufficient, and that national guidance could further complicate the issue.

Noted (AI summary) HM Inspectorate of Prisons acknowledges the report and states that the issues raised are covered by their inspection criteria. They will keep the findings on file and follow up as appropriate during the next inspection of HMP Wymott. HMPPS and NW Probation Service amended and re-issued the OMiC POM to COM Handover Guidance in March 2024. They are also undertaking a review of the quality of POM to COM handovers and commissioned a resettlement review. There is also a new safeguarding policy statement for Practitioners.

Noted (AI summary) West Midlands Police have updated their systems with prompts to improve the identification of those at increased risk and will work with MAPPA partners to ensure the coordinator role and new policy are understood and cascaded to relevant staff. HMP & YOI Parc has provided notice to offender managers to notify the relevant Community Offender Manager when a prisoner is being released at sentence end date and will be of no fixed abode, including providing information relating to a prisoner’s intentions in terms of where they are going on the day of release. G4S will continue to streamline its own data recording, to ensure as much information as possible is shared through the primary national prisons IT system, DPS. BSMHFT will develop a sustainable engagement strategy with MAPPA, review the Prison Discharge Coordinator's role, and explore amendments to the Systemone interface in HMP Birmingham to record community mental health team involvement, anticipating a decision within a month. The health board acknowledges the concerns raised in the report but states that it has no jurisdiction/power over the actions required for some of the concerns. However, it has alerted the MAPPA Coordinator to the concern regarding release of high-risk prisoners and will participate in Strategic Management Board discussions. West Midlands Probation Service is working with NHS-England Reconnect Service to ensure Probation Practitioners are aware of how to refer into this service in Prison for support “through the gate”, the transition period from prison into the community. West Midlands Probation Service will work with the Health Trust to support any Guidance revisions undertaken by the Health Trust to ensure that the Guidance is clear and enables effective information sharing and can be embedded within and understood by all in the Probation Service.