Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Ford
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 13 February 2024
HMP Ford, a Category D open prison, achieved positive recognition from HMIP for its safe and humane environment, with commendable healthcare and a strong focus on rehabilitation. While the prison effectively supports resettlement and purposeful activity, the IMB raises significant concerns regarding the severe under-maintenance of the estate, slow progress on a planned expansion, and persistent issues with external Probation Service support. Additionally, challenges with external contractors for education and the ongoing problem of inter-prison property transfers continue to hinder prisoner progression.
Positive Findings
HMP Ford provides a safe and humane environment, with staff commended for their respectful treatment of prisoners. Healthcare, chaplaincy, and the reducing reoffending team deliver effective and commendable services, passing a CQC inspection with no adverse findings. The prison has seen positive changes in education, including the implementation of Personal Learning Plans and the positive impact of a neurodiversity support manager. Efforts to secure employment for prisoners post-release have been successful, with improved cleanliness, community-building activities, and diligent complaint monitoring also noted.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The continuing deterioration and failure to adequately maintain the prison estate, particularly A, R and Q wings, raising health and safety concerns and questioning the slow pace of refurbishment.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Ongoing lack of external Probation Service support, which negatively impacts prisoners' access to ROTL, particularly for those returning to London.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Significant delays and lack of planning for the new build expansion project (to 779 men) and its impact on existing prison facilities, coupled with the cramped reception area lacking electronic security scanners.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Persistently high number of complaints regarding the failure to safely transfer prisoners' personal property between prisons, with little national movement on the property framework.
Staffing
Underuse of outdoor facilities and the negative impact on purposeful activity due to staff resourcing issues and inflexibility in workshops.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The external supplier, CXK, did not provide the contracted level of resource for over six months to deliver Personal Learning Plans for prisoners, and the contractor was not held accountable.
Other
Repeated
The continued use of IPP sentences is inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing issues have impacted gym access, outdoor activities, and on-site workshops, leading to underuse of facilities and reduced purposeful activity. The healthcare centre has struggled to retain orderlies. However, the Offender Management Unit has demonstrated flexibility in coping with staff absences and vacancies, with only one senior probation post vacant at year-end.
Healthcare
Healthcare at HMP Ford provides a very effective, well-resourced service, receiving positive feedback and passing a CQC inspection with no adverse findings. New initiatives include vaccinations and cardiac assessments for new prisoners. A neurodiversity support manager focuses on early identification and support for prisoners with learning difficulties and neurodiverse needs. There is an integrated approach to drug, alcohol, and mental health issues, and comprehensive pre-release healthcare checks are performed. However, the rate of prisoners failing to attend appointments remains high.
Regime & Daily Life
HMP Ford generally maintains a relaxed atmosphere, with a significant proportion of prisoners engaging in external work daily. Despite well-equipped gym facilities and outdoor equipment, the regime has been impacted by staffing shortages, leading to underuse of outdoor group-sporting activities, particularly on weekends. The prison is trialling unsupervised football and plans are in place to better schedule appointments to avoid disrupting purposeful activity.
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 transfers) | 45 | 38 | |
| Children and families | 10 | 13 | |
| Complaints (internal and external) | 12 | 18 | |
| Disciplinary (Adjudication and Segregation) | 15 | 13 | |
| Healthcare (mental and physical) | 30 | 29 | |
| Legal | 14 | 17 | |
| Money/debt/valuables | 11 | 10 | |
| Other | 12 | 13 | |
| Property | 64 | 59 | |
| Safeguarding (ACCTS and bullying) | 2 | 1 | |
| Sentence management and release | 34 | 27 | |
| Work/education/training/purposeful activity | 20 | 20 | — |
Recommendations (17)
Ministry of Justice: 3
HMPPS: 8
Governor / Director: 6
9 repeated
Recommendation 1
The Governor and his team are rightly to be congratulated on the positive HMIP report in April 2023. There is much to build on and Ford now needs the resource and support of the MoJ and HMPPS to ensure that its objectives as a resettlement prison are fully met.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Last year, the Board reported on issues with outside probation that are affecting some men’s access to ROTL. The situation has not improved, although the problems/delays in communication are now mostly affecting the large proportion of prisoners who will return to their London home area. (7.3.2)
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Together with IMBs throughout the country, we continue to stress that sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPPs) are inhumane and should be removed from existing prisoners. There were three prisoners serving IPP sentences in Ford at the end of the reporting year (and seven in the previous year). (7.4.7)
Ministry of Justice
Other
Recommendation 4
The Governor and his team are rightly to be congratulated on the positive HMIP report in April 2023. There is much to build on and Ford now needs the resource and support of the MoJ and HMPPS to ensure that its objectives as a resettlement prison are fully met.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The length of time that it is taking to break ground on the new build project is an ongoing disappointment. In addition, it is concerning that there seems to be little, if any, planning for the impact of the significant increase in prisoner numbers (beyond the previous 544 capacity to 779) on other parts of the prison, such as the gym/sports facilities and reception, for example. (5.1.3)
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
There has been some welcome refurbishment of the shower/toilet facilities on several corridors. However, the continuing failure to adequately maintain the prison estate to an acceptable level leads us to question what actually needs to happen before a full refurbishment plan is drawn up and executed for A, R and Q wings, in particular. The Board is concerned that the health and safety of prisoners and staff is at risk of being compromised without such action. (5.1.4)
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 7
The Reception area at Ford is cramped, with limited space for necessary but time-consuming searches. There are no electronic security scanners, which we understand are available in other prisons and would, we note, be a positive addition to the fight against illicit drugs and mobile phones. (4.1.1)
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Last year, the Board reported on issues with outside probation that are affecting some men’s access to ROTL. The situation has not improved, although the problems/delays in communication are now mostly affecting the large proportion of prisoners with a London address. (7.3.2)
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board commented last year on issues with access to appropriate accommodation for some men on release, notably the shortage of approved premises. In spite of the significant efforts of the staff at Ford, this shortage continues to negatively impact the success of prisoner releases. (7.6.2)
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 10
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
There continues to be a high number of complaints, resulting from the failure to safely transfer the personal property of prisoners between prisons. The 2022 Prisoners Property Policy Framework does not appear to have made any noticeable improvement and we are concerned that certain prisons (not HMP Ford) are particularly poor in this very important area. (5.7.1)
HMPPS
Complaints
Recommendation 11
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
There is, we understand, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Management Board of the Independent Monitoring Boards and HMPPS regarding the proper provision of a clerk to support the efficient and effective function of the Board. For some years, HMP Ford has not been allocated the hours to provide this support, which is an exception around the prison estate. Whilst this is disappointing, more importantly, it frustrates the work of our volunteer Board.
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 12
The Governor and his team are rightly to be congratulated on the positive HMIP report in April 2023. There is much to build on and a combination of the resource and support of the MoJ and HMPPS, as well as the leadership of the Governor and his team, will help Ford to meet its principal objective of improving prisoner outcomes as they leave the prison system.
Governor / Director
Resettlement
Recommendation 13
Repeated
Prev. addressed
Through the reporting period, the Board notes that there has been a more motivated Governor and staff team, which has made a noticeable difference in the day-to-day life of the prison. We support the Governor’s commitment to this all-important work, whilst always positioning prisoner outcomes at the heart of any change.
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 14
It is pleasing to report on the successful refurbishment of the showers and toilets on D and E wings during the year. Whilst the delivery of the works was slow, we were more concerned that the provision of temporary outdoor shower and toilet facilities was unfit for purpose. Any plans for further such works should address this as a matter of priority. (5.1.5)
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 15
Ford is a huge (110 acre) site that contains a number of unused and almost derelict buildings and land. Apart from the potentially missed opportunity from not making better use of the land, this also contributes to a lack of cleanliness around the estate. We are pleased that the new Governor has made this a priority, given the negative impact this can have on the prevailing attitudes at Ford. (4.6.1)
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 16
We note that for a period of over six months, the external supplier, CXK, did not provide the contracted level of resource to deliver the all-important Personal Learning Plans for prisoners. The Board believes that when a contractor doesn’t deliver, a more robust response is needed. (7.2.3)
Governor / Director
Education
Recommendation 17
Staff resourcing issues and inflexibility have meant that the excellent outdoor facilities at Ford are significantly underused, particularly during the all- important weekends. The Board is pleased to note the steps being taken at the end of the year to address this. (6.5.1)
Governor / Director
Staffing