Prison
Cat local
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Leicester
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 28 June 2023
HMP Leicester is well-led, maintaining a relatively safe environment with reduced self-harm and assaults on staff, and improved reception facilities. Despite generally good physical and mental healthcare, significant concerns persist regarding long delays for mentally ill prisoners awaiting transfer, which can result in inhumane segregation. Staffing shortages have severely impacted key working and the regime on weekends, while aging infrastructure requires substantial capital investment, particularly for the gym. Resettlement efforts are hindered by a high proportion of men released without accommodation and underdeveloped substance misuse services.
Positive Findings
HMP Leicester is well-led, and leadership of safety is strong, leading to a downward trend in self-harm and assaults on staff. Prisoners are generally treated with fairness and respect, with good staff-prisoner relationships and improving reception facilities. Healthcare, particularly physical and mental health provision, is generally good, and resettlement planning is developing strongly with an increasing range of vocational courses. The Board commends the supportive teamwork, resilience of staff, and the proper scrutiny and action taken on safety and equality data.
Key Concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
The Board has again to report that some prisoners experienced very long waits for transfer to secure hospital accommodation (6.3.1). Although there were fewer prisoners in the gatekeeping system in 2022 than 2021, the average waiting time for transfer to specialist units increased significantly.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board is again concerned about the growing numbers of men waiting too long for court hearings. The number of men who have exceeded the custody time limit on remand has increased from 12 in October 2021 to 66 in January 2023 (7.3).
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
In 2022, 40% of men were released from HMP Leicester without accommodation to go to (7.5).
Estate/Conditions
The gym is one of the most important and popular resources in this ageing prison, which has limited other opportunities for men to engage in constructive activity. Its continued viability is threatened by a leaking roof and bowing floor, and much of the equipment is old and requires replacement. (6.5.2)
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The Board was advised last year that provision would be made in 2022 for finance, benefit and debt services as part of prisoners’ resettlement through a commissioned rehabilitative services contract, however this is still not in place (7.5).
Estate/Conditions
The Board has noted that the programme to address the very poor condition of many cells, which need redecoration and refurbishment, has ceased due to pressure on accommodation (5.1.1).
Safety
The Board notes that the induction process has been inconsistent, particularly for vulnerable prisoners (4.1.2).
Substance Misuse
Therapeutic services for substance misusers are underdeveloped and the ‘my recovery unit’ is not operating as intended (6.6).
Staffing
Repeated
The amount of key working undertaken with prisoners has been significantly reduced due to staff shortages (5.3.3).
Board Commentary
Staffing
HMP Leicester experienced significant staff turnover, with approximately 30% of prison officers and 45% of OSGs leaving during the year. This led to periods of staff shortages, particularly impacting key working, which was suspended from August to October and achieved only 22% of expected hours. While the prison reached a full complement of staff by year-end, many are apprentices, indicating an ongoing need for experience and training to fully restore the regime.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision at HMP Leicester is generally good for physical and mental health, despite 15 staff vacancies often covered by agency staff. However, services for substance misusers require significant improvement, with an underdeveloped therapeutic community and a concerning rise in positive drug tests. The most critical issue remains the increasing delays for seriously mentally ill prisoners awaiting transfer to secure psychiatric facilities, with some held inhumanely in segregation for extended periods.
Regime & Daily Life
The weekday regime allows 3-5 hours out of cell for those engaged in activities, though 34% of prisoners remain locked up during the core working day. Weekend regime is less active, offering 3.5 hours out of cell, but was significantly restricted on seven occasions between October and December due to staff shortages, reducing time to 1.5 hours. The gym, a vital resource, is threatened by a leaking roof, bowing floor, and aging equipment, while the main exercise yard surface has deteriorated.
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 | |
| Discipline (Adjudications/Segregation) | 14 | 12 | |
| Discrimination/Racism (DIRF) | 10 | 5 | |
| Medical | 16 | 12 | |
| Other | 20 | 15 | |
| Property (including clothing, mail) | 17 | 10 | |
| Sentence management | 24 | 18 | |
| Staff behaviour/Attitudes | 21 | 18 |
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 3
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 3
5 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Is the minister satisfied that there are sufficient secure hospital places to cope promptly with the demand?
Ministry of Justice
Mental Health
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Is the minister able to work with colleagues in the criminal justice system to address this situation?
Ministry of Justice
Regime
Recommendation 3
Repeated
What plans does the minister have to commission short-term accommodation services for prisoners released in the East Midlands?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
Can funds be found for repair of the fabric of the building and replacement of equipment?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
When will a finance, benefit and debt service be available in HMP Leicester?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 6
Can the Prison Service free up one or two cells at a time for this programme to recommence?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 7
How will the governor ensure that the induction of new prisoners is of a consistently high quality?
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 8
What plans does the governor have for working with the healthcare provider to ensure a full range of services are available for those who wish to reduce or cease their substance misuse?
Governor / Director
Substance Misuse
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
How will the governor ensure that high quality key working will be restored as the prison returns to full staffing levels?
Governor / Director
Staffing
Other IMB Reports for Leicester
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
13 Feb 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 3
Activity: 2
Release: 3
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.