Prison
Cat C resettlement prison for both adult and young adu
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Rochester
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 15 August 2023
HMP/YOI Rochester maintained a stable and safe environment despite ongoing staff shortages, which impacted the regime for much of the year. While staffing improved by year-end, concerns persist regarding dilapidated buildings, property losses, and the availability of illicit drugs. The Board noted good mental healthcare provision and staff-prisoner relationships but raised significant concerns about the lack of suitable accommodation for released prisoners and the low education attendance rates.
Positive Findings
HMP/YOI Rochester continued to provide a stable and safe environment for prisoners, which was a considerable achievement given ongoing staff shortages. The Board noted generally good staff-prisoner relationships, effective ACCT reviews, and fair adjudication processes. Mental healthcare, drug recovery, and physical activity provisions were good. Enhanced security measures at entry and successful key-working were also highlighted. The kitchen produces quality meals, and cleanliness on wings is good. The co-location of mental health and psychology teams has proved beneficial, and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme continues to be successful for young adults. The OMU maintained good performance, and the digital HDC system improved processes. Social video calls and family days were welcomed innovations.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The Board retains its view that re-offending rates cannot be reduced unless there is suitable accommodation for all prisoners who have completed their sentence or are being released on HDC. Bail accommodation is limited in the south east, and the Board urges the minister to look into this further, to see how more accommodation can be provided.
Other
For the majority of the reporting year, the Rochester Board had just six active members from an establishment of 14. Consequently, the Board found it increasingly challenging to discharge its statutory duties. The minister is asked to note this issue, and assist by expediting delays which occur, such as with security clearances. (paragraph 8.1. refers)
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
As stated last year, the accommodation at HMP/YOI Rochester is very poor, and in the Board’s view, just about providing the minimal standard required. The Edwardian buildings on the old site are dilapidated and challenging to keep maintained; and the newer pre-fabricated buildings have exceeded their original use dates by several years, and are beset by poor ventilation as well as ongoing water supply, structural, and heating issues. A complete refurbishment of the site was proposed, but this appears to have been discounted. The Board strongly supports the redevelopment of the Rochester site.
Other
Repeated
Property losses on transfer: yet again, there appears to have been no progress in resolving the problems which occur when a prisoner and their property are transferred between establishments, and property goes missing. Volumetric control introduced via the new property guidance is being ignored, as prisoners arrive at Rochester with excessive amounts of property. Lack of ownership over this reoccurring problem is frustrating. There appears to be an ongoing lack of care in regard to prisoners’ property, illustrated by the 215 applications related to property which the Board has received this year. (See paragraph 5.8.1))
Safety
Repeated
As noted last year, there has been some improvement in cell clearance checks, but it still remains haphazard and many are not conducted properly, particularly when an individual is moved to the CSU. Can this be addressed? (See paragraph 5.8.c.)
Complaints/Property
The number of complaints has increased considerably, and is in line with the increase of applications to the Board. While complaints and applications related to property issues account for most of this increase, the Board will be examining whether there are any underlying issues which are causing the increase in both complaints and applications. It will be working with the complaints team over this.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Vermin continues to be an ongoing challenge at Rochester, with many prisoners opting to make barriers across their cell thresholds to keep the mice out.
Substance Misuse
Repeated
The availability of drugs, especially new psychoactive substances (NPS), at Rochester continues to be the main issue for safety and security management at the prison. Drug-related debt, and the subsequent bullying and intimidation, remain significant elements of life at Rochester.
Healthcare
The Board has raised with the Governor and Healthcare Managers that attendance by a representative from healthcare continues to be erratic. The Board has pointed out that attendance is required for the review to be valid, and in theory should not go ahead unless a healthcare representative is present.
Segregation
Repeated
Once again, on several occasions the 42-day time limit for segregation was exceeded when a prisoner’s status was changed to Category B. The Board’s view is that this delay is unacceptable.
Healthcare
The average wait to see the GP is approximately 17 days, and therefore commensurate to that in the community. In addition the Board is aware the GP can sometimes arrive late, which in turn can mean those prisoners with appointments are returned to their wings. Anxiousness about the waiting time to see the GP remains a key issue for prisoners.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
For much of the year the lack of Category D (open conditions) places in the South East, remained a significant problem. Many of the applications to the IMB concerning categorisation related to the frustration felt by prisoners who have worked towards getting Category D status, only to find they remain at Rochester in Category C conditions.
Staffing
Repeated
Throughout this reporting period HMP/YOI Rochester has continued to provide a stable and safe environment for prisoners. This was a considerable achievement given there has been a continuing shortage of prison officers and other staff at the prison during this time.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
More generally a shortage of trainers remains a significant problem with Welding, Plastering and Carpentry facilities available but unable to be used.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Unfortunately, the Board notes that attendance at Education is only around 70%, and has not recovered to its pre-Covid level.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
However, a significant number of prisoners are released without any accommodation, and are consequently homeless and vulnerable. The Board continues to monitor the preparation for release closely, and retains the view that too many prisoners are released to become homeless, for example 25 prisoners were released between from July 22-23 to be rough sleepers.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The prison faced a continuing shortage of prison officers and staff for most of the reporting period, which necessitated restrictions on association and work. While staffing levels improved from January 2023, high levels of sickness and absence persist, along with a lack of experienced officers. This also impacted escort management, causing delays. Healthcare and mental health services also experienced significant staffing shortages, with mental health staff at about 50% of establishment, leading to considerable workloads. Key-working, however, has been successfully implemented with targets nearly met.
Healthcare
Primary healthcare, provided by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, faces challenges with staffing shortages, though core nursing responsibilities were maintained. The average GP waiting time is 17 days, and prisoner dissatisfaction with primary healthcare services, particularly regarding pain relief and GP delays, led to a significant increase in applications to the Board. Mental healthcare, also by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust In Reach team, operates at 50% staffing but is considered good, especially with the beneficial co-location of In Reach and psychology teams. A new approach to ADHD diagnosis is being developed due to concerns of over-diagnosis. The Board noted concerns regarding the lack of healthcare representation at GOOD reviews.
Regime & Daily Life
For most of the year, regime restrictions, initially due to Covid and then staffing shortages, meant limited association and work. By the end of the reporting period, the prison was fully open, allowing work, education, and association to resume. Despite this, the Board believes more purposeful activity is required. Education attendance is only around 70%, below pre-Covid levels, and vocational training suffers from a shortage of trainers. Offender behaviour programmes were limited due to staffing. However, physical activity, including gym sessions and football, is popular, and softer skills like art and choir have made a welcome return. Evening association continues for prisoners on Standard and Enhanced incentive levels.
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 | 10 | 7 | |
| Chaplaincy/Faith | 2 | 3 | |
| Dietary/Food | 5 | 6 | |
| Discipline/Adjudications/Segregation | 18 | 7 | |
| General Treatment/Staff behaviour | 55 | 39 | |
| Healthcare/Dentistry | 103 | 85 | |
| Legal | 12 | 8 | |
| Other | 113 | 60 | |
| Programmes/Courses | 6 | 5 | |
| Property (including transfers) | 215 | 112 | |
| Race/Discrimination | 11 | 5 | |
| TOTAL | 660 | 372 | |
| Visits/Correspondence | 37 | 26 | |
| Work/pay | 28 | 31 |
Recommendations (6)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 2
4 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
The Board retains its view that re-offending rates cannot be reduced unless there is suitable accommodation for all prisoners who have completed their sentence or are being released on HDC. Bail accommodation is limited in the south east, and the Board urges the minister to look into this further, to see how more accommodation can be provided.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
For the majority of the reporting year, the Rochester Board had just six active members from an establishment of 14. Consequently, the Board found it increasingly challenging to discharge its statutory duties. The minister is asked to note this issue, and assist by expediting delays which occur, such as with security clearances. (paragraph 8.1. refers)
Ministry of Justice
Other
Recommendation 3
Repeated
As stated last year, the accommodation at HMP/YOI Rochester is very poor, and in the Board’s view, just about providing the minimal standard required. The Edwardian buildings on the old site are dilapidated and challenging to keep maintained; and the newer pre-fabricated buildings have exceeded their original use dates by several years, and are beset by poor ventilation as well as ongoing water supply, structural, and heating issues. A complete refurbishment of the site was proposed, but this appears to have been discounted. The Board strongly supports the redevelopment of the Rochester site.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Property losses on transfer: yet again, there appears to have been no progress in resolving the problems which occur when a prisoner and their property are transferred between establishments, and property goes missing. Volumetric control introduced via the new property guidance is being ignored, as prisoners arrive at Rochester with excessive amounts of property. Lack of ownership over this reoccurring problem is frustrating. There appears to be an ongoing lack of care in regard to prisoners’ property, illustrated by the 215 applications related to property which the Board has received this year. (See paragraph 5.8.1))
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 5
Repeated
As noted last year, there has been some improvement in cell clearance checks, but it still remains haphazard and many are not conducted properly, particularly when an individual is moved to the CSU. Can this be addressed? (See paragraph 5.8.c.)
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 6
The number of complaints has increased considerably, and is in line with the increase of applications to the Board. While complaints and applications related to property issues account for most of this increase, the Board will be examining whether there are any underlying issues which are causing the increase in both complaints and applications. It will be working with the complaints team over this.
Governor / Director
Complaints
Other IMB Reports for Rochester
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
2 Jun 2025
IRP
30 Aug 2024
Urgent Notification
12 Aug 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 1
Activity: 1
Release: 1
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.