Prison
Cat C training and resettlement
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Highpoint
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 9 June 2023
HMP Highpoint, a Category C training and resettlement prison with an operational capacity of 1,270, experienced a decrease in self-harm but a 28% increase in violent incidents during the reporting year. Persistent concerns include significant maintenance backlogs by GFSL, ongoing issues with lost prisoner property, and restricted library access. Despite these challenges, healthcare provision maintained a 'green' rating, and the key worker scheme continued its development.
Positive Findings
The Board notes a reduction in self-harm and ACCTs, alongside improvements in reception property handling and healthcare services maintaining a 'green' rating. Commendations are given for the well-run segregation unit, the gym staff's high standard of delivery, and the exceptional bereavement counselling service. The development of the key worker scheme, the introduction of therapeutic courses, and the use of laptops to improve offender management are also highlighted positively. The Board welcomes the strategies being implemented to counteract drug debt and the move to allow governors to approve earlier releases.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
The Board regrets the government’s responses to the Justice Committee’s report on indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP sentences). Through our monitoring, we are aware of the historical inequitable treatment of, and the psychological harm to, those prisoners who have completed their sentence but have no identified release date. We therefore ask that the recommendations for change and the timeframe for implementation of support for these prisoners are reconsidered.
Other
Repeated
In spite of the revised framework, the loss or delay of prisoners’ property in transfer between establishments is still an issue of concern. The Board again asks for an urgent review into the handling of prisoners’ belongings.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The service provided by GFSL is still a major cause for concern. The Board requests an urgent review of the works maintenance contract to ensure it fully meets the ongoing needs of a challenging prison environment.
Staffing
Although the offender management team is efficient and hardworking, the allocated staffing levels result in high caseloads. This inevitably impacts the services and support provided for prisoners.
Safety
Repeated
The netting that blew down in a storm over two years ago at HMP Highpoint, and which has still not been mended or replaced, remains a security and safety issue. This prison is vulnerable to throwovers, and the increased opportunity for contraband to get into the prison has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the prisoners.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Whilst the Board is aware of successful and effective regime changes, we believe that restricted access to the library is negatively impacting on opportunities for prisoner education and progression. The Board therefore asks for consideration to be given to facilitating increased access to this area.
Safety
Repeated
The Listener scheme was actively promoted within Highpoint, with posters displayed on all units. Listener and peer mediator schemes were suspended during Covid and Listeners now need refresher training provided by the Samaritans. It was hoped that this would take place and that the Listener scheme would restart in 2021. The re-start was then delayed until 2022. Unfortunately, the Samaritans have lost some staff and it appears that the remaining staff and volunteers are unwilling to come into the prison to offer the training. HMP Highpoint was trying to rectify the position, but there was still no date for this scheme to restart. The IMB considers this training and provision to be imperative and hopes that arrangements can be made in the very near future.
Safety
There were 280 violent incidents recorded during 2022; this is a very unwelcome increase of 28% on the number recorded in the previous year.
Safety
The IMB remained concerned that during the reporting year body-worn video cameras were not always activated, or activated promptly, during a use of force incident, despite their use being directed.
Substance Misuse
Prisoner access to contraband items appears to be high. Whilst the discovery of such items is efficient, we support the need to cut off their routes of entry.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing saw 74 resignations and 56 new officer starters during the reporting year, indicating a high turnover rate. While OMU staffing levels improved and caseloads reduced, significant working hours were lost due to redeployments, adding pressure to an otherwise supportive team. The key worker scheme is being developed and implemented, with staff encouraged to engage with prisoners.
Healthcare
Healthcare services, provided by Practice Plus Group, consistently achieved a 'green' rating, demonstrating a gradual resumption of services and reduction of backlogs post-Covid. Mental health needs were matched by resources 95% of the time, and a dedicated team manages a caseload of 42 prisoners. Screening has been reintroduced, and dental appointment backlogs have been alleviated, returning to normal waiting times. The bereavement counselling service by the chaplaincy is considered exceptional.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime has seen a progressive lifting of Covid restrictions, leading to a return to more formal expectations, including increased attendance at work or education. While this has contributed to a significant 28% rise in violent incidents, services like the gym have reopened. However, time out of cells has reduced, and free-flow prisoner movement has not been reinstated, significantly limiting library access.
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 | |
| Bullying, harassment, victimisation | 6 | 5 | |
| Discrimination | 5 | 1 | |
| Food | 10 | 5 | |
| Healthcare | 29 | 21 | |
| Legal | 13 | 5 | |
| Money | 10 | 5 | |
| Other | 77 | 56 | |
| Property | 87 | 34 | |
| Regime | 19 | 10 | |
| Total | 314 | 190 | |
| Visits | 9 | 7 | |
| Work/Pay | 4 | 3 |
Recommendations (6)
Other: 2
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 1
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
The Board regrets the government’s responses to the Justice Committee’s report on indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP sentences). Through our monitoring, we are aware of the historical inequitable treatment of, and the psychological harm to, those prisoners who have completed their sentence but have no identified release date. We therefore ask that the recommendations for change and the timeframe for implementation of support for these prisoners are reconsidered.
Other
(minister)
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
In spite of the revised framework, the loss or delay of prisoners’ property in transfer between establishments is still an issue of concern. The Board again asks for an urgent review into the handling of prisoners’ belongings.
Other
(minister)
Property
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The service provided by GFSL is still a major cause for concern. The Board requests an urgent review of the works maintenance contract to ensure it fully meets the ongoing needs of a challenging prison environment.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 4
Although the offender management team is efficient and hardworking, the allocated staffing levels result in high caseloads. This inevitably impacts the services and support provided for prisoners.
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The netting that blew down in a storm over two years ago at HMP Highpoint, and which has still not been mended or replaced, remains a security and safety issue. This prison is vulnerable to throwovers, and the increased opportunity for contraband to get into the prison has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the prisoners.
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 6
Whilst the Board is aware of successful and effective regime changes, we believe that restricted access to the library is negatively impacting on opportunities for prisoner education and progression. The Board therefore asks for consideration to be given to facilitating increased access to this area.
Governor / Director
Education
Other IMB Reports for Highpoint
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
16 Oct 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 4
Activity: 1
Release: 2
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.