Prison
Cat Category D open YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Hollesley Bay
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 28 April 2023
Hollesley Bay is an open Category D YOI prison commend for its safe and humane treatment of prisoners, effective COVID-19 management, and progress in equality and resettlement. The introduction of the 'sequencing' regime has provided a more structured approach to learning and external employment. However, the report highlights concerns regarding the prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, significant backlog in estate maintenance, and perceived inadequacy of food provision. Healthcare delivery is generally satisfactory, though high DNA rates for appointments due to communication issues and dental waiting times require attention.
Positive Findings
The IMB commends the effective management of the Covid pandemic and the efforts to return prisoners to normal life. The prison is considered a safe place for most, treating prisoners fairly, humanely, and consistently, as evidenced by effective assimilation of PCOSO prisoners. The Board welcomes the increased emphasis on prisoner employability and the reinforced sequencing regime. Notable progress includes improved senior staff communication, increased focus on equality and reduced discrimination complaints, and dedicated resources for external employment. Significant capital investment in buildings and general site improvements are underway, including new Plomesgate units and outdoor gym facilities. The Board also applauds the significant reductions in absconds and ROTL failures and is satisfied with the healthcare provision, which notably achieved micro-elimination status for Hepatitis C.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Poor building conditions, including unreliable plumbing, old fabric, leaking roofs, and broken paving.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The government's decision not to support the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners.
Overcrowding
Repeated
Continued presence of multiple-occupancy cells, with the IMB fearing that the opportunity to reduce these with new units is being missed.
Overcrowding
Repeated
The continued prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, despite the addition of new units providing an opportunity to eliminate them.
Food/Catering
Repeated
The quality and adequacy of food provision, particularly lunch, remains 'just about adequate, but little more'.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The ongoing backlog of repair and maintenance issues affecting the prison's fabric, including plumbing, roofs, and general appearance.
Equality/Diversity
A lack of trust among some BAME and GRT prisoners in the prison system, hindering formal complaint processes, despite efforts in equality and diversity.
Food/Catering
Repeated
The perceived inadequacy of food provision, particularly lunch, and concerns about food transport to HMP Warren Hill.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Concerns regarding prisoner transport arrangements, requiring a thorough review.
Healthcare
Repeated
High Did Not Attend (DNA) rates for both general healthcare and dental appointments, often attributed to staff not passing on appointment letters promptly.
Healthcare
Repeated
High DNA rates for GP and nursing appointments, partly due to poor communication of appointment letters, leading to wasted time and increased waiting lists.
Equality/Diversity
A persistent lack of trust among some Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) prisoners in the formal complaints system, despite robust equality monitoring.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The report highlights a national need for more trained staff, applicable to both probation and prison officers. Hollesley Bay operates with a lower staff-to-prisoner ratio typical of an open prison, which can limit the level of care provided. While staff have received more training and increasingly use body-worn cameras, healthcare forums are currently suspended due to staff shortages, and key long-term nursing posts are vacant. The chaplaincy is also concerned that its staffing levels may not increase proportionally with the growing prison population. The IMB suggests extending the key worker scheme in the open estate for prisoners nearing release.
Healthcare
Overall, the Board finds prisoners' health and wellbeing needs are being met, though provision will need review as the population grows and ages. Practice Plus Group provides healthcare, with efforts to recruit a substantive GP and specialist nurses. GP appointments average 115 monthly, but DNA rates are concerningly high at 17.09% for GPs and 6.9% for nurse-led clinics, often due to poor communication of appointment letters. Dental services, provided by Community Dental Services, have an 11-week wait for follow-up treatment and a 25-week wait for routine check-ups, exacerbated by a 39% DNA rate. The prison has achieved micro-elimination status for Hepatitis C, and a mental health first aid awareness scheme has been introduced.
Regime & Daily Life
A significant change in 2022 was the introduction of 'sequencing', a framework designed to set individual goals for prisoners, focusing on education, industries, external work opportunities, and support for successful release. All prisoners are expected to be purposefully engaged, with about 30% working outside the prison and the remainder in internal jobs, training, or education. Outside work is now an earned privilege within the sequencing regime, which provides a more structured approach to learning and employment. The prison has also restructured prisoner-staffed commercial operations and introduced new vocational courses.
Recommendations (12)
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 6
Ministry of Justice: 4
4 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Requests that the outstanding repair and maintenance issues being faced daily by most prisons in the UK are addressed.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 1
That the sequencing approach adopted at Hollesley Bay continues to be developed and the understanding of it improved both within the prison and among those who wish to transfer to the prison;
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Welcomes the call by the House of Commons Justice Committee for all prisoners subject to the IPP (imprisonment for public protection) sentence to be re-sentenced as soon as possible. However, like many other IMBs, the IMB at Hollesley Bay expresses disappointment that this recommendation was not supported by the current government;
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Requests that the outstanding repair and maintenance issues being faced daily by most prisons in the UK are addressed.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 1
That the sequencing approach adopted at Hollesley Bay continues to be developed and the understanding of it improved both within the prison and among those who wish to transfer to the prison;
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 2
That the transport arrangements currently in operation at the prison are explored and developed;
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Requests there is a concerted effort made to remove all multiple-occupancy cells in all prisons in the UK;
Ministry of Justice
Overcrowding
Recommendation 2
That the transport arrangements currently in operation at the prison are explored and developed;
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 3
Supports the reunification of the Probation Service. Nevertheless, it is recognised that there is a need to recruit more trained staff and a national plan should be established for this purpose. This comment is equally applicable to prison officers.
Ministry of Justice
Staffing
Recommendation 3
Supports the reunification of the Probation Service. Nevertheless, it is recognised that there is a need to recruit more trained staff and a national plan should be established for this purpose. This comment is equally applicable to prison officers.
Ministry of Justice
Staffing
Recommendation 3
That, as the prison population becomes older, greater attention is paid to the social care agenda and any matters appearing are cross-referenced with the prison’s health service providers.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 3
That, as the prison population becomes older, greater attention is paid to the social care agenda and any matters appearing are cross-referenced with the prison’s health service providers.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Other IMB Reports for Hollesley Bay
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
3 Apr 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 3
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.