Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Buckley Hall
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 25 November 2022
HMP Buckley Hall, a Category C training prison, has seen a positive trajectory post-pandemic, with an improved mood among prisoners and the return of full education and activity regimes. While generally safe with strong staff-prisoner relationships, the prison faces significant challenges including staff shortages impacting key work and daily routines, and an unsettled healthcare provision following a change in provider. Key concerns include administrative delays, insufficient funding for vital infrastructure, and a need to improve attendance at activities and equality and diversity initiatives.
Positive Findings
The Board judges that the prison has generally been on a positive trajectory during the reporting year, with an improved mood among prisoners, and the return of various activities such as sports day and family days. Education and workshops are now full-time. Buckley Hall remains a safe environment, and staff-prisoner relationships are a notable strength. The administration of the offender management unit (OMU) received a regional award, and prisoners continued their commendable charity work. Significant improvements include the installation of in-cell telephones, new showers on A wing, and the replacement of boilers. Segregation unit staff are praised for their calm and empathetic approach, and the quality of work in equality and diversity, chaplaincy, and social care provision is high. The appointment of a drug strategy healthcare lead is commended, and the gym is back to full numbers. The prison and education department are working purposefully together, with improved relationships and a calm, respectful atmosphere in classes.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
A speedier response from the Department as to whether or not to approve a recommendation for a prisoner’s move to open conditions.
Other
Prioritise a further reduction in the number of prisoners serving an imprisonment for public protection sentence.
Resettlement/Release
Reduce the time taken to transfer prisoners’ monies when they relocate from private to public sector prisons.
Healthcare
Provide the funding to install CCTV in the healthcare building.
Safety
Repeated
Ensure that prisoners recategorised as category B are moved more promptly to an appropriate prison.
Substance Misuse
Provide additional funding for the prison’s new incentivised substance free living unit.
Healthcare
Ensure an effective and valued healthcare provision.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Improve the accuracy of the daily roll checks.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Improve prisoner attendance at and allocation to activities.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Introduce a range of social activities during prisoners’ evening association.
Equality/Diversity
Restore an emphasis on equality and diversity within the prison.
Staffing
Raise the number of key work sessions delivered per week.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing shortages have significantly impacted the prison, leading to high pressure on OMU staff and regular redeployment of security officers. This has had a deleterious effect on key work provision, with a considerable shortfall in completed sessions. The staff shortfall extends to operational support grades (OSGs). A survey revealed a substantial number of officers have less than three years' experience. While staffing levels theoretically improved by year-end, many officers were off-site for training, on leave, detached duty, sick, or on restricted duties, contributing to daily wing closures and regime restrictions.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision underwent a significant change in April 2022 with a new provider, Spectrum Healthcare, replacing Greater Manchester Mental Health and NHS Foundation Trust. This transition has been challenging, leading to a shortfall in permanent nursing staff, reliance on agency nurses, and unsettled prisoner perceptions, sometimes resulting in confrontation. There have been significant issues with medication distribution and lengthy wait times, forcing prisoners to choose between exercise and medication. While men with long-term conditions are generally cared for, the department is too small for specialists and receives complex cases without sufficient notification. The proposed expansion of the mental health team is hampered by lack of space, and there is a regrettable absence of CCTV funding for the unit.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison has moved away from an austere pandemic regime, with education and workshops now full-time and the return of sports days and park runs. However, the pace of change has been slower than desired, and evening association has seen curtailment. Inaccurate daily roll checks are a regular feature, causing delays and frustration for prisoners needing to access activities. Periods of limited and austere regime were offered due to staff shortages, leading to daily wing closures. While some prisoners prefer an earlier 5:00 pm lock-up for peace and quiet, the intention is to offer each wing evening association twice a week with bespoke activities.
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 | |
| Adjudications | 4 | 5 | |
| Discrimination | 7 | 3 | |
| Food | 11 | 12 | |
| General prison administration | 29 | 19 | |
| Immigration (IRC only) | 0 | 0 | |
| Medical, dental and healthcare | 43 | 26 | |
| Privileges and incentives | 19 | 15 | |
| Property | 75 | 40 | |
| Release on temporary licence | 0 | 0 | |
| Requests, personal problems and welfare | 215 | 223 | |
| Security (including categorisation) | 3 | 2 | |
| TOTAL | 465 | 495 | |
| Uncategorised applications | 0 | 0 | |
| Visits | 12 | 7 | |
| Work and education | 2 | 5 |
Recommendations (12)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 6
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
A speedier response from the Department as to whether or not to approve a recommendation for a prisoner’s move to open conditions.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Prioritise a further reduction in the number of prisoners serving an imprisonment for public protection sentence.
Ministry of Justice
Sentence Management
Recommendation 3
Reduce the time taken to transfer prisoners’ monies when they relocate from private to public sector prisons.
HMPPS
Finance/Administration
Recommendation 4
Provide the funding to install CCTV in the healthcare building.
HMPPS
Healthcare/Safety
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Ensure that prisoners recategorised as category B are moved more promptly to an appropriate prison.
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 6
Provide additional funding for the prison’s new incentivised substance free living unit.
HMPPS
Substance Misuse
Recommendation 7
Ensure an effective and valued healthcare provision.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 8
Improve the accuracy of the daily roll checks.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 9
Improve prisoner attendance at and allocation to activities.
Governor / Director
Purposeful Activity
Recommendation 10
Introduce a range of social activities during prisoners’ evening association.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 11
Restore an emphasis on equality and diversity within the prison.
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 12
Raise the number of key work sessions delivered per week.
Governor / Director
Staffing
Other IMB Reports for Buckley Hall
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
12 Feb 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 3
Activity: 2
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.