Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Wealstun
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 27 September 2023
HMP Wealstun, a Category C prison, has an operational capacity of 856 and a CNA of 809. The IMB reports improvements in reception processes and generally good collaboration between prison and healthcare teams. However, significant concerns persist regarding unacceptable time out of cell, pervasive part-time work, and critically low key worker session delivery. Overcrowding, the poor condition of older wings, and challenges in managing illicit items also remain key issues.
Positive Findings
HMP Wealstun has seen improvements in reception and induction processes, and its healthcare and prison teams work well together. The Board commends the catering team for their efforts in providing good food despite budgetary constraints. The ISFL unit is successful and expanding, and the chaplaincy team continues to provide excellent support. The prison's IDEAL programme for equality and diversity is well-embedded, and the process for managing use of force incidents is diligent and scrutinised.
Key Concerns
Overcrowding
Repeated
The pressure to double up cells to increase prison capacity is unacceptable. It is indecent that prisoners have to share a cell for long periods of time with little privacy.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The condition of the older wings (A and B) remains a concern. Funds have been found to install Rapid Deployment Units that might have been better directed at refurbishing or replacing wings in poor condition.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The length of time prisoners are out of their cells remains unacceptable, even with the improved staffing levels. Part time working, limited association and an inflexible regime continue to be issues for prisoners.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The number of key worker sessions being delivered is unacceptable and one of the lowest in Wealstun’s comparative group.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) prisoners continue to be held at Wealstun with very little additional support being provided.
Substance Misuse
Drugs are still being found in the prison, even with all the steps that have been put in place to stop them. There is also a number of incidents when prisoners are found with medication which they have not been prescribed.
Other
Repeated
The majority of prisoners are only working part time, so they are not receiving a full wage. At a time with significant inflation, the increase in canteen prices mean that prisoners are finding it difficult to purchase anything other than the basic needs (vapes and phone credit).
Mental Health
To consider what options there are so that prison is not used to house severely mentally ill people whilst they await a place in a suitable institution.
Safety
To carry out a review of the Assessment in Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) documentation introduced in 2021 as it is cumbersome and difficult to review.
Staffing
Repeated
To consider that when approval has been given to over recruit, the number of officers to go on detached duty should be calculated after the non-effectives (at college, long term sick) have been deducted thus enabling full regimes and key working to be delivered.
Food/Catering
Repeated
To consider whether food budgets should be set at a national level and regularly benchmarked, particularly in times where inflationary pressures are clear, to ensure that they remain adequate.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
To ensure that prisoners with less than 15 weeks before release are not sent to HMP to Wealstun as it does not allow sufficient time to prepare them for release.
Healthcare
To consider doing a check of the healthcare complaints process to address concerns relating to delays.
Segregation
Unless the prisoner gives up the item voluntarily, there is no way for a prisoner to demonstrate their innocence as there are no dry cells in the prison.
Staffing
There are significant number of officers with limited experience which the Board are concerned about as there has been an increase in applications relating to, for example, how the incentives scheme is implemented.
Other
One issue identified during the reporting year is that it is not always possible to be clear with prisoners where property may have gone astray in inter-prison transfers. It would be helpful for facilities lists to be more ‘standardised’ across the prison estate.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels at Wealstun have significantly improved due to recruitment and a pay award, making the prison nearly fully staffed. However, the ongoing requirement to send staff on detached duty and account for non-effectives means a limited regime and poor key worker session delivery persist. There is also a concern about the number of inexperienced officers and their support.
Healthcare
Healthcare at Wealstun, primarily provided by Practice Plus Group, generally sees good collaboration with prison staff, resolving issues quickly. However, concerns remain regarding prisoner access to services, communication gaps between healthcare and wing staff, and the clarity and responsiveness of the healthcare complaints process. Mental health screening on arrival is effective, and the mental health team shows a good multi-disciplinary approach.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime at HMP Wealstun continues to be a significant concern, with prisoners experiencing unacceptable and inflexible time out of cell, especially at weekends. The majority are limited to part-time work, and there is insufficient flexibility to compensate for lost association time due to appointments. While time out of cell has gradually increased, the restrictive nature of the regime hinders purposeful activity and overall prisoner wellbeing.
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 | |
| Canteen, private cash and pay | 17 | 12 | |
| Discipline | 12 | 10 | |
| Food | 3 | 12 | |
| Home Office | 0 | 0 | |
| Medical, health and welfare | 31 | 42 | |
| Other | 12 | 13 | |
| Property | 38 | 29 | |
| Racism (DIRF) | 5 | 8 | |
| Security | 7 | 6 | |
| Segregation | 27 | 25 | |
| Staff conduct | 14 | 12 | |
| Total | 242 | 228 | |
| Visits (including VC & PVs) | 16 | 13 | |
| Work and education | 15 | 8 |
Recommendations (15)
Other: 1
HMPPS: 6
Governor / Director: 8
9 repeated
Recommendation 1
To consider what options there are so that prison is not used to house severely mentally ill people whilst they await a place in a suitable institution.
Other
(minister)
Mental Health
Recommendation 2
To carry out a review of the Assessment in Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) documentation introduced in 2021 as it is cumbersome and difficult to review.
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To ensure that prisoners are not located in double cells as this is inconsistent with the obligation to provide high standards of decency for prisoners (particularly in respect of toilet facilities).
HMPPS
Overcrowding
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To consider that when approval has been given to over recruit, the number of officers to go on detached duty should be calculated after the non-effectives (at college, long term sick) have been deducted thus enabling full regimes and key working to be delivered.
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To consider a complete refurbishment or replacement of the older wings (A and B wings) as it is increasingly apparent that this accommodation, built in the 1960s, needs significant remedial action for a number of reasons and is not a humane environment for prisoners to live in.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To consider whether food budgets should be set at a national level and regularly benchmarked, particularly in times where inflationary pressures are clear, to ensure that they remain adequate.
HMPPS
Food
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To ensure that prisoners with less than 15 weeks before release are not sent to HMP to Wealstun as it does not allow sufficient time to prepare them for release.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To consider increasing prisoner rates of pay in line with inflation.
Governor / Director
Other
Recommendation 9
To consider installing dry cells in segregation to allow prisoners to demonstrate their innocence when there is a possible item shown on the body scanner.
Governor / Director
Segregation
Recommendation 10
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To consider returning to full time work/education, increase workshop instructors etc.
Governor / Director
Purposeful Activity
Recommendation 11
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To ensure that prisoners get more time out of cell, especially at weekends. Where association/domestics time clashes with a prison appointment, prisoners should get more time out of cell.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 12
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To ensure that priority is given to increasing key worker sessions as soon as possible.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 13
To consider doing a check of the healthcare complaints process to address concerns relating to delays.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 14
To consider reinstating the mental health sessions in the gym.
Governor / Director
Mental Health
Recommendation 15
To ensure that forum meetings for IPP prisoners and Lifers are set up as soon as possible.
Governor / Director
Resettlement
Other IMB Reports for Wealstun
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.