Prison
Cat Category C and YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Portland
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 13 December 2023
HMP/YOI Portland demonstrated a well-controlled environment with positive staff-prisoner relations and good physical facilities during the reporting year ending March 2023. However, the Board highlighted significant challenges in mental health provision due to staffing shortages, a fragmented resettlement program, and persistent issues with property delays. Recommendations focused on better funding for resettlement, improved communication regarding property, and prioritising key work to support prisoner wellbeing and progression.
Positive Findings
The Board perceived the prison as well controlled and prisoners generally felt safe, with positive staff-prisoner relationships and a relaxed atmosphere. The zero-tolerance policy on drugs and violence was welcomed. Improvements were made to accommodation, and the discrimination incident reporting process was handled fairly. Excellent library facilities, a highly-valued gym, and the Rugby academy were positive additions. Healthcare appointments were prompt, and the regime for those in work was well-established, with all activity sessions at full capacity. The introduction of in-cell telephones improved family contact and the prison has good access to housing advice and a DWP staff member.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
As a result of the 2021 reforms in relation to prisoner resettlement, the resettlement programme is fragmented and underfunded.
Resettlement/Release
With the Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 being on hold currently, when does the government intend to roll it out on a national basis?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Prison Council serves a very useful purpose in bridging communication between prisoners and management of the prison but, in practice, many prisoners are not aware of its role or who their representative is.
Other
Internal Property – there is a need to improve communication to prisoners of the reason for the delays in receiving internal property and, when a prisoner is prevented from receiving property, communicating what is allowed and how to order goods in a more specific way as a means of explanation.
Mental Health
Key work is crucial to the early identification of deteriorating mental health. If an individual has mental health issues it can adversely affect their ability to engage with learning and training. It therefore makes sense to prioritise key work over training and learning opportunities rather than being seen as an “add-on” with the option to drop it if staffing is short.
Mental Health
the shortage of mental health staff has meant that more urgent care was prioritised, and prisoners are waiting longer to see a qualified professional to assist with their needs.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Time out of cell was limited for the population not in full time work or with an enhanced status
Staffing
Key work was limited... due to restricted staffing levels in the prison.
Other
Delays in delivery, loss of personal possessions between prisons and delays in communication between the property office (Reception) and prisoners remain a significant problem and point of frustration for prisoners.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
As reported last year, there continues to be overlap, confusion and lack of communication between the OMU and its Prisoner Offender Managers (POMs) and COMs. This can result in actions being duplicated or falling through a “gap” in the system when one party assumes action has been taken by the other.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing shortages significantly impacted various areas, including mental health, leading to longer waits for professional support. Key work was limited to vulnerable prisoners due to restricted staffing levels. The kitchens faced varying staff levels and lacked a manager for most of the year, increasing reliance on prisoners. Property delays were primarily due to staff shortages, with Reception often redeployed. High staff vacancies in healthcare necessitated agency hours, and recruiting a psychologist remained a challenge. Vocational workshops, the substance misuse unit, and the resettlement team also experienced staff shortfalls.
Healthcare
Healthcare services transitioned smoothly from Practice Plus Group to Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in December 2022. Services have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, with an average of 350 men receiving care weekly and medical appointments typically within 48 hours. However, mental health support remains a challenge due to staffing shortfalls, including difficulties recruiting a psychologist, leading to non-compliance with some NICE guidelines. Significant progress was made in dentistry, clearing backlogs. The prison implemented Healthcare Reps on wings and installed a Health Centre phone, helping to reduce complaints.
Regime & Daily Life
After COVID-related fluctuations, the regime has been successfully re-established. Prisoners engaged in full-time work had unlock times exceeding six hours, with workshops at full capacity. While 20% of the population was occupied full-time and 60% part-time, 20% remained locked up or awaiting deployment, though this improved from earlier in the year. Time out of cell for those not in full-time work or enhanced status improved from once to twice daily. Excellent physical activity facilities are now fully staffed, offering at least one gym session weekly, and the rugby academy continues to engage candidates.
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 | 8 | 23 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 28 | 6 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 4 | 5 | |
| Equality | 6 | 4 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 16 | 14 | |
| Food and kitchens | 4 | 3 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 52 | 20 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 16 | 14 | |
| Miscellaneous | 14 | 6 | |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 34 | 37 | |
| Property within the establishment | 70 | 24 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 14 | 10 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 50 | 41 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 24 | 17 | |
| Transfers | 14 | 15 |
Recommendations (13)
HMPPS: 8
Governor / Director: 5
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As a result of the 2021 reforms in relation to prisoner resettlement, the resettlement programme is fragmented and underfunded. Will the Minister consider reverting to a properly funded resettlement service based within each establishment?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
With the Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 being on hold currently, when does the government intend to roll it out on a national basis?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
The Prison Council serves a very useful purpose in bridging communication between prisoners and management of the prison but, in practice, many prisoners are not aware of its role or who their representative is. What are your plans to strengthen its effectiveness through better publicity and awareness raising?
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 4
Internal Property – there is a need to improve communication to prisoners of the reason for the delays in receiving internal property and, when a prisoner is prevented from receiving property, communicating what is allowed and how to order goods in a more specific way as a means of explanation. How do you plan to improve this?
Governor / Director
Other
Recommendation 5
Key work is crucial to the early identification of deteriorating mental health. If an individual has mental health issues it can adversely affect their ability to engage with learning and training. It therefore makes sense to prioritise key work over training and learning opportunities rather than being seen as an “add-on” with the option to drop it if staffing is short.
Governor / Director
Mental Health
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Need to direct resources to resettlement
HMPPS
Resettlement
Response
Minister – no change Still requires more resources
Recommendation 7
Prev. addressed
Need to make work in the prison service attractive
HMPPS
Staffing
Response
Minister referred to increased pay Being implemented
Recommendation 8
Prev. addressed
Need to incorporate multi-disciplinary approach to support mental health of prisoners
HMPPS
Mental Health
Response
Legislation for accessing placement in secure hospital Being Implemented
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Need to strengthen provision of resettlement services
HMPPS
Resettlement
Response
See above
Recommendation 10
Monitoring of service provided by external contractors
HMPPS
Other
Response
Prison Service not aware of issues No evidence of recent issues
Recommendation 11
Prev. addressed
Funding for relief of heat issues for Beaufort wing
HMPPS
Estate
Response
Prison Service putting in capital works programme Currently on list for 2025 with local interim provision of cooling measures
Recommendation 12
Prev. addressed
All prison officers wearing BWVCs
Governor / Director
Safety
Response
Regulations now in force Majority are now wearing BWVCs
Recommendation 13
Prev. addressed
Need for inter-departmental communication relating to prisoners’ pathways to resettlement
Governor / Director
Resettlement
Response
Education now sharing information gained relating to prisoners’ pathways to resettlement
Other IMB Reports for Portland
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.
Prevention of Future Deaths Reports
Coroner PFD reports issued to this establishment.