Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Haverigg
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 20 March 2024
HMP Haverigg, an open category D prison for PCoSO prisoners, effectively managed a 50% population increase while maintaining low levels of self-harm and violence. The Board noted high standards of humane treatment, robust healthcare provision, and strong focus on education and resettlement. Key concerns remain the inhumane nature of IPP sentences, persistent property loss during transfers, and inconsistencies in sentence management.
Positive Findings
HMP Haverigg maintains low levels of self-harm and violence, with no significant safety concerns. The Board commends the positive and constructive culture, ensuring fair and humane treatment, and effective management of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Healthcare provision remains of a high standard, with positive prisoner feedback despite staffing pressures. Education, vocational training, and resettlement initiatives are strong, with high attendance and good Ofsted ratings. The Board also commends the Governor and staff for maintaining the prison regime during severe weather and notes improvements in communication and a reduction in complaints.
Key Concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
The Board considers IPP sentences to be inhumane, degrading and a cause of psychological distress to prisoners.
Other
Repeated
the board believes that standards within the Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework are not being met, as there has been no apparent reduction in the loss of prisoners’ property, especially for those transferring between prisons.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
anecdotal feedback, however, suggests there may still be some inconsistencies, with prisoners occasionally expressing uncertainty or confusion with regard to their sentence management.
Healthcare
locum doctor provided by Spectrum Health Care voiced concerns to Board members about the prior treatment received, or perhaps not received, by prisoners in other establishments before transferring to Haverigg.
Resettlement/Release
The DART team has raised concern about limited community support adversely affecting prisoners on discharge.
Resettlement/Release
some employers being reluctant or unwilling to employ ex-PCoSO prisoners.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Healthcare services faced significant staffing shortfalls early in the reporting year, leading to escalated concerns, but these have largely been addressed with all vacancies now filled or recruitment underway. The prison's remote location, however, impacts recruitment for specialist posts. A new Link Worker scheme has been introduced, strengthening staff-prisoner relationships and providing consistent support to prisoners.
Healthcare
Healthcare services at Haverigg are under pressure due to an increasing and aging population, leading to more complex cases and particular strain on nurse consultations and pharmacy. Despite early staffing shortfalls, which are now largely addressed, healthcare staff deliver high standards of care. Prisoner feedback is generally positive, although dental care faces a backlog that is being addressed through weekend clinics. The psychiatric team is fully staffed and well-regarded.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime adapted to a significant population increase, including a temporary closure of the main gate to manage abscond risk. All working-age prisoners are employed, and a new policy encourages medically incapable prisoners to engage in weekly enrichment activities. Although laundry services faced temporary closure due to equipment breakdown, a new facility is expected. Social spaces like the Village Hall are well-utilised, and there is a strong focus on education and vocational skills.
Applications to the IMB
Prisoners can apply to their IMB about any aspect of their treatment. This table shows application counts by category.
| Category | Current | Previous | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 3 | 0 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 1 | 0 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 0 | 4 | |
| Equality | 0 | 0 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 2 | 3 | |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 2 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 4 | 9 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 2 | 0 | |
| Miscellaneous | 9 | 4 | |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 10 | 9 | |
| Property within the establishment | 3 | 2 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 1 | 5 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC (Home Detention Curfew), ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence), parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 13 | 23 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 2 | 4 | |
| Total number of applications | 51 | 69 | |
| Transfers | 1 | 4 |
Recommendations (3)
Other: 1
HMPPS: 1
Governor / Director: 1
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
the board urges the Minister to bring forward legislation to enable a re-sentencing exercise, as recommended by the Justice Committee in September 2022.
Other
(minister)
Justice
Recommendation 2
Repeated
The Board urges the Prison Service to review and, where necessary, revise the framework, ensuring the necessary safeguards and sanctions are in place to improve performance.
HMPPS
Property
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
the Board has not examined specific evidence to support or refute this feedback, but asks the Governor and senior managers to maintain careful and sustained oversight of this important area to ensure consistency.
Governor / Director
Regime
Other IMB Reports for Haverigg
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
31 Mar 2025
Unannounced
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.