Prison
Cat local, YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Elmley
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 16 March 2023
HMP Elmley, a local prison, navigated Covid disruptions to improve prisoner experience and reduce violence through increased key work and a young adult strategy. While the Board noted improvements in safety scrutiny, complaint resolution, and resettlement opportunities, significant concerns remain regarding the treatment and information provision for foreign national prisoners by the Home Office. Other challenges include the poor condition of the prison estate, persistent staffing shortages across key departments, and inadequate activity spaces impacting rehabilitation efforts.
Positive Findings
The Board welcomed significant improvements in prisoner experience despite Covid setbacks and staffing issues. Key work sessions increased, and a young adult strategy reduced gang violence and improved safety. Effective use of force scrutiny, body worn cameras, and improved ACCT care plans were noted. The prison also enhanced resettlement opportunities through the accelerator project and employment hub, while improving responses to prisoner complaints and addressing property issues.
Key Concerns
Equality/Diversity
Foreign national prisoners held in HMP Elmley lack formal engagement from the Home Office, particularly those on remand who are left in limbo with limited information and access to immigration authorities, sometimes leading to illegal detention and disorder.
Estate/Conditions
The fabric of the existing prison is in desperate need of attention, with cells generally in poor condition due to age and poor maintenance, raising concerns about the appropriateness of spending on anticipated population growth rather than essential repairs.
Safety
Repeated
Not enough is being done to fully understand and address the underlying causes of self-harm, a concern previously highlighted in the last annual report.
Staffing
Significant staffing shortages persist across key departments, including the Offender Management Unit (OMU) and education, leading to heavy caseloads, reduced prisoner contact, and cancelled courses, while the IMB itself is operating with half its recommended complement.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
There is a need for more activity spaces and skills-based tuition to fully engage prisoners in purposeful activities, as current shortages in trainers and physical spaces limit opportunities for all.
Resettlement/Release
The newly contracted visitors centre, now run by Pact, is providing a significantly reduced service which is expected to negatively impact family contact and the crucial role it plays in prisoner rehabilitation.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing shortages and sickness due to Covid impacted key worker sessions early in the year. The Offender Management Unit was particularly affected, with its staffing reduced by half and difficulties in recruitment leading to heavy caseloads and reduced prisoner contact. Healthcare and education also experienced recruitment challenges, with education staff remaining 30% below target.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision saw a change of provider from IC24 to Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which experienced staffing difficulties impacting prisoner access to GP and dental appointments. There is a six-week wait for dentistry and a three-month wait for optician appointments. However, the Board noted improved DNA rates for appointments and commended the continued presence of operational staff in the inpatients’ department, as well as the positive progress by CGL in substance misuse support.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime faced significant disruption due to a Covid outbreak, limiting association until a 'new' regime was introduced in August, allowing a gradual return to activities. All prisoners on normal location are allocated two hours out of cell for basic needs and exercise. While this policy aims to encourage purposeful activity, a notable drawback is the insufficient number of activity spaces, hindered by shortages of trainers and physical facilities.
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 | 10 | 14 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 13 | 19 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 10 | 9 | |
| Equality | 7 | 1 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 7 | 5 | |
| Food and kitchens | 6 | 14 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 59 | 94 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 14 | 18 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 42 | 68 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 29 | 29 | — |
| Property within this establishment | 38 | 47 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 7 | 10 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 70 | 55 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 58 | 75 | |
| Transfers | 3 | 7 |
Recommendations (3)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 1
Governor / Director: 1
Recommendation 1
The foreign nationals held in HMP Elmley deserve formal engagement from the Home Office. Those who are in the country illegally and are on remand should be given better access to immigration authorities so that they understand their position and are not left in limbo. Can the Minister consider engaging with Home Office colleagues to improve this situation?
Ministry of Justice
Equality, Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Is it appropriate to spend money on accommodating an anticipated growth in the prison population when the fabric of the existing prison is desperately in need of attention?
HMPPS
Estate, Overcrowding
Recommendation 3
The Board is pleased to see the energy put into engaging prisoners in purposeful activities like education which will offer the possibility of rehabilitation as well as keeping them occupied. We would like to see more activity spaces provided in the coming year and more skills-based tuition.
Governor / Director
Regime, Education, Purposeful Activity
Other IMB Reports for Elmley
2023
Published 17 Jul 2025
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.