Prison
Cat B, YOI, local
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Nottingham
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 5 December 2023
HMP/YOI Nottingham experienced a reduction in self-harm and use of force, but assaults on both prisoners and staff increased. Key challenges included inadequate provision for prisoners with severe mental health issues and disabilities, significant healthcare staff shortages, and concerns over the complaints system and property loss. The report also highlighted regime curtailments due to staff training and uncertainty for IPP prisoners.
Positive Findings
The Board welcomed a reduction in self-harm incidents and use of force, and noted positive steps regarding the prisoner food budget and meal times. Positive interactions between staff and prisoners were observed, and the key worker scheme continued to be implemented. Improvements in the regime included resumed collective worship, positive feedback on gym access and new equipment, and removal of restrictions on visit length. The library service and a new Neurodiversity Support Manager were also commended.
Key Concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
A lack of appropriate accommodation in the prison system for prisoners with serious mental health problems continues to be a problem, with some such prisoners remaining in segregation for long periods.
Segregation
Prisoners being in dirty conditions in segregation for lengthy periods has a negative impact on other prisoners in segregation.
Equality/Diversity
Provision for some prisoners with disabilities has been inadequate and co-ordination between service providers has been lacking.
Complaints/Property
There is a lack of confidence amongst prisoners in the complaints system.
Other
Property continues to be lost on transfer between establishments.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Periodically, there have continued to be shortages of essential items of clothing, kit and shoes.
Food/Catering
Prisoners have expressed dissatisfaction with both the quality and quantity of food. There have been supply problems with some canteen items.
Healthcare
Shortages of NHS Health care staff have been apparent and prisoners have complained about a lack of access to health services, and mental health services, in particular.
Complaints/Property
Health care complaints do not appear to be being dealt with adequately.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
At the end of the reporting year, staff training has curtailed the regime one day a month.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Take-up of education after the easing of Covid restrictions has been slow.
Resettlement/Release
Many prisoners are held for long periods either on remand, awaiting sentencing or awaiting moves to other establishments after sentencing, and are therefore unable to progress in their sentences.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
An increasing number of imprisonments for public protection (IPP) prisoners are left with uncertainty as to when they will come before the Parole Board or be released, which can be detrimental to their mental health.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Many staff are still inexperienced, with approximately 38% of operational staff having served less than two years. The Board observes many positive interactions but also receives applications suggesting inconsistency in staff treatment of prisoners. Efforts continue to implement the key worker scheme, though further work is needed for significant results.
Healthcare
Prisoners complained about access to both physical and mental health services, citing significant staff shortages which led to late medication administration. Problems with the healthcare complaints system were apparent, with complaints often not responded to adequately. Furthermore, responsibilities for providing services to disabled prisoners were unclear between healthcare, social care, and the prison.
Regime & Daily Life
Following Covid, the prison moved to a less restrictive regime, with workshops reopening. Prisoners generally viewed gym access and activities positively, and the prison invested in new equipment. However, induction delays impacted gym access. There was a general lack of in-wing activities when prisoners were out of cells, and monthly staff training days led to a significantly curtailed regime with no activities, education, or visits.
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 | 36 | 31 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 3 | 11 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 13 | 9 | |
| Equality | 36 | 6 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 13 | 18 | |
| Food and kitchens | 8 | 22 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 52 | 53 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 31 | 44 | |
| Miscellaneous | 35 | 66 | |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 13 | 26 | |
| Property within the establishment | 30 | 40 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 20 | 13 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 53 | 28 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 47 | 51 | |
| Transfers | 8 | 24 |
Recommendations (5)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 2
2 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
We would again ask the minister to address the ongoing situation in relation to IPP prisoners who are many years beyond their minimum term and who face great uncertainty as to when they may be released or what they are required to do to become eligible for release.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Repeated
We reiterate our concern about prisoners with severe mental health problems who are sometimes held in segregation for long periods, and the impact that this has on their mental health. We would again ask that greater provision be made available for such prisoners so that they can be more speedily transferred to more appropriate accommodation.
HMPPS
Mental Health
Recommendation 3
We would ask also that consideration be given to how the needs of prisoners living for significant periods in dirty conditions, rather than necessarily on dirty protest, can be addressed.
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 4
To address, with the health service provider, the issues raised in the provision of health care services, staff shortages and health care complaints.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 5
To address, with all necessary agencies, the provision of services and accommodation for prisoners with disabilities.
Governor / Director
Equality
Other IMB Reports for Nottingham
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
13 May 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 3
Activity: 1
Release: 2
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.