Prison
Cat B training prison
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Dovegate
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 20 January 2023
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, operated in a calm and settled manner despite ongoing Covid challenges and staff shortages. The Board commended improvements in staff culture, the effective use of body-worn cameras, and the high standards of cleanliness and food provision. However, significant concerns persist regarding the lack of a national electronic system for property transfers, the slow progress on converting the healthcare inpatient unit, and the increasing number of remand prisoners. The Board has made recommendations to the Minister, Prison Service, and Director to address these issues, many of which have been highlighted in previous reports.
Positive Findings
The Board welcomed a noticeable positive change in culture with the arrival of the new Director and Deputy Director, who have actively recruited staff and introduced new initiatives. Body-worn video cameras are now fully embedded and used effectively for de-escalation and learning. The prison is commended for its cleanliness, well-maintained grounds, and consistently high-standard food provision. Staff-prisoner relationships are generally positive, and communication channels like the prison council and equalities forums are working well. The chaplaincy team is praised for its sense of purpose and support for all prisoners, and the complaints procedure is efficient.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
There should be focus on reviewing the sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) prisoners, enabling them to progress and move towards a safe release. It is against natural justice that so long after this sentence was abolished so many prisoners are still in prison.
Overcrowding
There has been a significant increase in the number of remand prisoners held in HMP Dovegate due to delays in the court system. We urge the Minister to take action to mitigate this situation.
Other
Repeated
The Board is extremely disappointed with the inadequacy of the HMPPS review of property procedures and urges the Minister to intervene.
Other
Repeated
The Board looks for positive timely action from the Prison Service regarding the point raised below: prisoners’ property during transfer. This has been highlighted in at least our last three annual reports. Far more urgency needs to be applied to this problem.
Other
Repeated
A review by the Prison Service took approximately two years to produce a revised property transfer plan, published in August 2022, that turned out to be only marginally different from what was already in place and not working. Even though some prisons have property on digital systems, no electronic system exists across the estate and handwritten cards are still being used nationally for the transfer of prisoners. The Board continues to deal with a substantial number of property issues resulting from transfers from other establishments. In this Board’s view, a new workable system using 21st century technology is a must, and it should be possible to produce this quickly. This would free up prison managers/staff and the IMB to concentrate on other more important matters. More effort needs to be made to find a national solution to this problem.
Healthcare
Repeated
accelerate plans for the conversion of the inpatient unit in healthcare and to provide consultation and treatment rooms adequate for the number of prisoners in the prison
Healthcare
liaise with the head of healthcare to reinstate escorts to outside hospital appointments to the levels in place before Covid.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
continue with the proposed changes to the CSU, including the revamp of the exercise yard and installation of gym equipment
Food/Catering
review the kitchen equipment service company’s contract.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The prison faced significant staff vacancies, which the new Director addressed by personally contacting former staff and implementing new recruitment initiatives, including a full-time recruitment lead. The key worker scheme, limited during Covid, was revived with new training and, by the end of the year, was working well. Management has actively worked to boost staff morale and reward good practices through initiatives like 'Shine Out, Shout Out', fostering cohesion and team spirit.
Healthcare
Healthcare services are provided by Practice Plus Group, with mental health services subcontracted to MPFT. Good cooperation between healthcare and custodial teams leads to positive outcomes, though staff shortages in healthcare have led to longer waiting times for appointments. The inpatient unit remains a concern; despite years of discussions and promises, plans for its conversion to better meet mental health, palliative care, and staffing needs have not yet been implemented, beyond a minor bathroom update. Staffing for the mental health team remains challenging, impacting referral target times, but recruitment efforts are ongoing.
Regime & Daily Life
Despite continued Covid outbreaks and staff shortages, particularly at weekends, the prison maintained a generally calm and settled environment. Restrictions to the regime, though less frequent than during the pandemic's peak, were accepted by prisoners as necessary for safety. The full reopening of workshops and education facilities has allowed nearly 700 prisoners to engage in full-time employment or education. The education department also offers evening extracurricular activities, and there are plans to expand vocational training with a 'real life'-style barbering shop.
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 | |
| Chaplaincy | 3 | 3 | — |
| Discrimination | 2 | 1 | |
| Family | 3 | 2 | |
| Finance | 11 | 7 | |
| Food | 1 | 0 | |
| Healthcare | 38 | 23 | |
| Learning | 1 | 0 | |
| Legal | 16 | 12 | |
| Other | 51 | 38 | |
| Property | 185 | 167 | |
| Rule 39 | 2 | 1 | |
| Safety | 4 | 3 | |
| Segregation | 21 | 18 | |
| Staff | 75 | 59 | |
| Total | 458 | 372 |
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 3
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 4
5 repeated
Recommendation 1
There should be focus on reviewing the sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) prisoners, enabling them to progress and move towards a safe release. It is against natural justice that so long after this sentence was abolished so many prisoners are still in prison.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
There has been a significant increase in the number of remand prisoners held in HMP Dovegate due to delays in the court system. We urge the Minister to take action to mitigate this situation.
Ministry of Justice
Overcrowding
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board is extremely disappointed with the inadequacy of the HMPPS review of property procedures and urges the Minister to intervene.
Ministry of Justice
Other
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board looks for positive timely action from the Prison Service regarding the point raised below: prisoners’ property during transfer. This has been highlighted in at least our last three annual reports. Far more urgency needs to be applied to this problem.
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
A review by the Prison Service took approximately two years to produce a revised property transfer plan, published in August 2022, that turned out to be only marginally different from what was already in place and not working. Even though some prisons have property on digital systems, no electronic system exists across the estate and handwritten cards are still being used nationally for the transfer of prisoners. The Board continues to deal with a substantial number of property issues resulting from transfers from other establishments. In this Board’s view, a new workable system using 21st century technology is a must, and it should be possible to produce this quickly. This would free up prison managers/staff and the IMB to concentrate on other more important matters. More effort needs to be made to find a national solution to this problem.
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
accelerate plans for the conversion of the inpatient unit in healthcare and to provide consultation and treatment rooms adequate for the number of prisoners in the prison
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 7
liaise with the head of healthcare to reinstate escorts to outside hospital appointments to the levels in place before Covid.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
continue with the proposed changes to the CSU, including the revamp of the exercise yard and installation of gym equipment
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 9
review the kitchen equipment service company’s contract.
Governor / Director
Food
Other IMB Reports for Dovegate
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
18 Sep 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 3
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.