Prison
Cat D, YOI, Open
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Hatfield
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 7 February 2024
HMP/YOI Hatfield is recognised as a very safe and effective Category D open prison, excelling in resettlement with a high percentage of prisoners securing and maintaining employment post-release. The Board commends the positive staff-prisoner relationships and well-managed healthcare, while noting improvements in facilities. Key concerns include the negative impact of prison population pressures on open prisons, the unsuitability of the Lakes site, and delays in completing perimeter fencing to mitigate illicit item drops.
Positive Findings
The Board highlights HMP/YOI Hatfield as a very safe environment with no self-harm or staff assaults. Significant improvements in facilities, including a new dental surgery and multi-faith centre, are underway. The prison excels in its education, skills, and work provisions, with a high proportion of prisoners securing external employment and maintaining it post-release, making it a top-performing resettlement prison. Relationships between staff and prisoners are very positive, contributing to effective problem-solving before IMB intervention. Healthcare provision is deemed good, with no increase in mental health issues or self-harm incidents.
Key Concerns
Overcrowding
Measures to relieve prison population pressures across the estate can and do impact negatively on the ethos and performance of Category D prisons.
Estate/Conditions
The age and the original purpose of the Lakes building make it impractical for its present use, assessing new prisoners for their suitability for open conditions and access to the community.
Safety
Repeated
Both sites remain vulnerable to illicit items being dropped over the perimeter fence. In last year’s report it was stated that a new fence to help prevent this would be built. Due to the ongoing building work taking place in the prison this has started but not been completed. To date, a small number of members of the public have been noted to be entering the prison grounds at night and leaving packages in the grounds at the main site. Hopefully this situation will be resolved once the fence is in place.
Healthcare
There was some delay in appointments for hospital outpatient referrals and routine outpatient follow-ups, with a two-week wait for urgent/emergency appointments.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The Board observed very positive staff-prisoner relationships, noting that new staff are effectively mentored by experienced colleagues, which fosters confidence and a calm atmosphere. In healthcare, there is one Staff Nurse vacancy, which is currently being covered by bank nurses.
Healthcare
Healthcare, provided by Practice Plus Group, is largely well-managed and accessible across both sites, with good throughcare arrangements. The Board noted good provision, a low DNA rate, and commendably no increase in mental health problems, suicide, or self-harm incidents. However, there are delays in hospital outpatient referrals and follow-ups, with a two-week wait for urgent appointments. A new dental surgery on the main site is expected to open soon, as access was previously via HMP Moorland.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison maintains a stable post-pandemic regime with all prisoners on enhanced status, earning extra privileges. Both sites offer good access to gym activities and various purposeful courses, including a Twinning Project with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. The prison is progressing towards becoming an Incentivised Substance Free establishment, providing benefits such as additional pin phones, cooking facilities, and enhanced ROTL access.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 1 | — | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | 1 | — |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 1 | 1 | — |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 2 | — |
Other IMB Reports for Hatfield
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
15 Jul 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 4
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.