Prison
Cat B
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Garth
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 27 June 2023
HMP Garth, a Category B training prison, grapples with severe staff recruitment and retention issues, resulting in a largely inexperienced workforce and an ineffective key worker scheme. The restrictive regime, a consequence of staffing problems and post-pandemic recovery, limits prisoners' time out of cell and access to purposeful activity. Key concerns include the deteriorating estate, inadequate provisions for disabled individuals, and the persistent challenges faced by IPP prisoners, alongside ongoing issues with property transfers and an understaffed Offender Management Unit.
Positive Findings
HMP Garth has seen improved safety due to better gate security, leading to fewer illicit items and reduced use of force incidents. The prison's death in custody action plan is working well, with fewer deaths reported this year. Chaplaincy services are well-resourced and inclusive, and the incentives scheme is functioning effectively. Healthcare provision for chronic conditions and mental health is well-assessed and supported, with good links to external services. The prison also excels in family engagement initiatives.
Key Concerns
Staffing
Recruitment and retention problems occur throughout this prison. However, it is felt that many of these problems are caused and perpetuated by inappropriate policy making and direction from the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS. When the Board discusses these issues with the managers and staff in the prison it is clear that staff are most concerned to do efficient and effective work but that they feel disempowered by inappropriate direction and imposed policies.
Staffing
The Board continues to be very concerned about the recruitment of staff. It is now the practice to recruit prison officers remotely and to place them in the prison without the Governor and senior managers being enabled or allowed to give their views on the suitability of the appointee for the prison – or the prison for the appointee. This all too often results in new staff not staying because they did not feel adequately prepared for what they would encounter. It now transpires that probation officers are being similarly appointed and placed, with similar results.
Other
Repeated
For many years this Board, like many others, has expressed concerns about the ongoing plight of IPP prisoners... The Secretary of State, and therefore the government, has indicated that he will not act upon his recommendation and it therefore appears that this problem will be perpetuated indefinitely.
Estate/Conditions
The Board continues to be concerned about the deteriorating condition of the prison. Considerable investment needs to be made to bring it up to a reasonable standard. The ongoing concerns about the functioning of Amey need to be resolved as a matter of urgency.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
Provision for prisoners and staff with disabilities is poor and urgent investment is needed to provide lifts and stair lifts in relevant areas.
Healthcare
Repeated
For many years the waiting area for prisoners in healthcare has been wholly inadequate. The Board has repeatedly reported this but with no progress being made.
Staffing
It is understood that the Probation Service is seriously under-staffed but the understaffing of the offender management unit needs to be addressed. This Board is concerned that inexperienced and trainee probation officers are now being placed in prisons.
Other
in excess of a hundred category C prisoners are presently being held at Garth because of ongoing progression problems. This needs to be addressed urgently.
Staffing
Throughout this year the key worker scheme has not worked effectively because of staff shortages and consequent cross deployment. This should resume as quickly as possible.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
There continue to be grave concerns about the transfer of prisoners’ property. This is an issue that has been referred to in numerous previous reports without any progress being made towards a resolution of the problem.
Board Commentary
Staffing
HMP Garth faces significant challenges with staff recruitment and retention, leading to a large proportion of inexperienced officers and high sickness absences. Remote recruitment methods for both prison and probation officers result in new staff feeling unprepared and not staying. This impacts key worker schemes, leads to frequent cross-deployment, and leaves the Offender Management Unit severely understaffed, hindering effective prisoner management and regime stability.
Healthcare
Healthcare at HMP Garth effectively managed Covid infection rates and provides good ongoing treatment for chronic conditions. Urgent care is prompt, and medication supply is efficient. Mental health support is comprehensive, with a strong multidisciplinary team and effective care for IPP prisoners. However, accessing appointments is hampered by staff shortages for escorts, and the healthcare waiting room remains wholly inadequate with poor hygiene and no toilet facilities. Accessibility for prisoners with disabilities is also a significant concern due to a lack of lifts and stairlifts.
Regime & Daily Life
HMP Garth's regime has not fully returned to pre-pandemic normality, with prisoners often experiencing lengthy periods confined to cells due to staff shortages and the split-regime approach. This restriction has led to increasing frustration and negatively impacted meaningful progression. Although there was one hour of exercise daily, time out of cell was minimal, primarily for basic domestic duties, with little opportunity for socialising or full-time purposeful activity. The restrictive regime also significantly limited participation in education and workshops.
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 | 12 | 8 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 2 | 9 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 4 | 2 | |
| Equality | 3 | 3 | — |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 14 | 9 | |
| Food and kitchens | 11 | 5 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 18 | 32 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 11 | 5 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 30 | 29 | |
| Property within this establishment | 71 | 42 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 5 | 1 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 35 | 9 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 86 | 72 | |
| Transfers | 4 | 4 | — |
Recommendations (7)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 5
Governor / Director: 1
2 repeated
Recommendation 1
To remedy this, at least in part, it is strongly recommended that policy makers, from the top down, should be more willing to consult with those at the coal face who are actually doing the job and who most clearly know what is required.
Ministry of Justice
Staffing / Policy
Recommendation 2
it is strongly advised that their contract [Amey's] should be reviewed as a matter of urgency.
HMPPS
Estate / Maintenance
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
urgent investment is needed to provide lifts and stair lifts in relevant areas.
HMPPS
Equality / Estate
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
it is again strongly recommended that this problem [healthcare waiting room] be resolved with the necessary finance being provided.
HMPPS
Healthcare / Estate
Recommendation 5
it is strongly suggested that only experienced officers should be seconded to prisons.
HMPPS
Staffing / Progression
Recommendation 6
in excess of a hundred category C prisoners are presently being held at Garth because of ongoing progression problems. This needs to be addressed urgently.
HMPPS
Progression / Overcrowding
Recommendation 7
Throughout this year the key worker scheme has not worked effectively because of staff shortages and consequent cross deployment. This should resume as quickly as possible.
Governor / Director
Staffing / Regime
Other IMB Reports for Garth
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
29 Jul 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 2
Activity: 1
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.