Prison
Cat B
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Preston
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 26 October 2022
HMP Preston, a Category B local prison, navigated a second year of pandemic restrictions, operating under various Emergency Delivery Model stages. The Board found it to be a safe prison, commending staff professionalism and effective management of the regional hospital wing and segregation unit. However, persistent staff shortages impacted administrative functions, particularly visits and complaints, and highlighted a need for significant investment in the Victorian estate and a return to a full regime.
Positive Findings
The Board considers Preston to be a safe prison and is impressed with how prisoners in segregation are treated, noting the positive approach taken by governors during reviews. The Governor provides an excellent role model for treating prisoners with respect and dignity. HMP Preston benefits from a well-managed regional hospital wing and recent refurbishment of segregation cells has reduced vandalism. Key worker visits exceeded guidelines, and subtitles were introduced on all televisions after a prisoner request. The chaplaincy provides extensive faith-specific and pastoral support, making approximately 24,000 contacts with prisoners and staff.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Preston is a well-run prison but valiant attempts to improve conditions in this Victorian edifice have only ameliorated conditions and regional investment has been piece-meal. HMP Preston requires a significant injection of funding. In particular major investment is required to purchase the county museum which form the boundary to the prison. This would allow the totally inadequate space in reception to be resolved.
Staffing
Prisons face a growing problem with shortage of administrative staff at bands 2 and 3. This leads to vital areas such as the administration of complaints, visits, prisoner’s finances falling behind what is acceptable. The back-logs in these important areas directly impact adversely on prisoner welfare. The Board is informed that these particular administrative grades have low pay scales and poor working conditions. This needs addressing at a national level.
Resettlement/Release
Preston recently received a prisoner from HMP Kirkham who was subject under the Imprisonment for public protection Order (IPP). He was sentenced over seventeen years ago. He was presumably being readied for release when he was sent to an open prison but he was so institutionalised he was unable to cope and his behaviour deteriorated. The IMB believe that we have reached a point where special arrangements should be introduced to assist the release planning of IPP prisoners who are way beyond their tariff dates.
Complaints/Property
The backlog of Comp 1 forms needs addressing.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
In-cell technology is now available in some prisons. The provision of lap-tops to prisoners provides prisoners with a form of communication that greatly enhances their lives and dignity. The IMB are hoping for Governor to ensure that HMP Preston is at the forefront of this bold new initiative.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The use of lap-tops operated by OMU and Through the Gate staff, on Wings, would also greatly improve and speed up prisoner assessments and sentence planning.
Healthcare
The waiting list for dental treatment has become excessive and this has become a barrier for prisoners receiving timely treatment for even serious and painful conditions.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The prison should return to a full regime including education/occupational training/exercise.
Resettlement/Release
There should be an integrated and improved resettlement service, including housing/financial advice/drug counselling/family liaison.
Estate/Conditions
Cell conditions should be Improved and upgraded, including better toilet screening.
Education/Purposeful Activity
A return to qualification opportunities in horticulture and the gymnasium.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The prison experienced an attrition rate of approximately 10% for Bands 3-5 staff due to better paid jobs, and a constant deficit of Band 2 staff, which advertising campaigns have failed to fill. This shortage severely impacted administrative areas like visits booking and complaints. The officer workforce has varied experience, with 28% having a year or less of experience and 31% over 10 years, which may present challenges as COVID-19 restrictions relax.
Healthcare
Healthcare is provided by Spectrum Community Health CIC, with mental health services delivered in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. Staffing levels were near full complement by year-end, though one weekend experienced critically low levels. Dental waiting lists exceeded six weeks, partly due to COVID-19 precautions. While there were no excessive waits for mental health transfers, challenges remain in handing over care to community mental health teams (CMHTs), especially for homeless patients, and Reconnect does not accept prisoners already under CMHT care.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison operated under various stages of the Emergency Delivery Model (EDM), starting at Stage 4, progressing to Stage 1, reverting to Stage 3, and then returning to Stage 1. During the most restrictive Stage 4, prisoners received only two hours out of cell daily (one for domestic, one for exercise), with only essential workers having more time. The number of prisoners in employment was significantly reduced to approximately 170 (25% of the population) compared to 80% pre-pandemic, impacting purposeful activity. A new eight-week drug recovery programme commenced in January, offering a range of staff-led, peer-led, and holistic interventions.
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) | 46 | 37 | |
| Adjudications (including appeals) | 10 | 12 | |
| Bail and legal issues | 12 | 10 | |
| Bullying and victimisation | 2 | 3 | |
| Care, Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) | 13 | 11 | |
| Discrimination | 0 | 0 | |
| Drug testing | 0 | 0 | |
| Employment and training | 4 | 5 | |
| Environment and conditions | 17 | 11 | |
| Equality issues | 0 | 0 | |
| Family issues | 18 | 17 | |
| Finance | 14 | 26 | |
| Food | 1 | 0 | |
| Healthcare | 33 | 25 | |
| Learning and skills | 3 | 2 | |
| Other | 14 | 12 | |
| Property | 15 | 24 | |
| Religious and faith issues | 2 | 2 | — |
| Safety (including violence/use of force) | 1 | 2 | |
| Staff-prisoner relationships | 2 | 2 | — |
| TOTAL | 238 | 231 | |
| Visits | 11 | 12 |
Recommendations (11)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 8
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Preston is a well-run prison but valiant attempts to improve conditions in this Victorian edifice have only ameliorated conditions and regional investment has been piece-meal. HMP Preston requires a significant injection of funding. In particular major investment is required to purchase the county museum which form the boundary to the prison. This would allow the totally inadequate space in reception to be resolved.
Ministry of Justice
Estate
Response
An estates investment proposal bid has been submitted, which would cover the redevelopment of the reception area and has included the purchase the county museum. The high value of the bid may mean that it takes several years to deliver.
Recommendation 2
Prisons face a growing problem with shortage of administrative staff at bands 2 and 3. This leads to vital areas such as the administration of complaints, visits, prisoner’s finances falling behind what is acceptable. The back-logs in these important areas directly impact adversely on prisoner welfare. The Board is informed that these particular administrative grades have low pay scales and poor working conditions. This needs addressing at a national level.
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 3
Preston recently received a prisoner from HMP Kirkham who was subject under the Imprisonment for public protection Order (IPP). He was sentenced over seventeen years ago. He was presumably being readied for release when he was sent to an open prison but he was so institutionalised he was unable to cope and his behaviour deteriorated. The IMB believe that we have reached a point where special arrangements should be introduced to assist the release planning of IPP prisoners who are way beyond their tariff dates.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
The backlog of Comp 1 forms needs addressing.
Governor / Director
Complaints
Recommendation 5
In-cell technology is now available in some prisons. The provision of lap-tops to prisoners provides prisoners with a form of communication that greatly enhances their lives and dignity. The IMB are hoping for Governor to ensure that HMP Preston is at the forefront of this bold new initiative.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 6
The use of lap-tops operated by OMU and Through the Gate staff, on Wings, would also greatly improve and speed up prisoner assessments and sentence planning.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 7
The waiting list for dental treatment has become excessive and this has become a barrier for prisoners receiving timely treatment for even serious and painful conditions.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 8
The prison should return to a full regime including education/occupational training/exercise.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 9
There should be an integrated and improved resettlement service, including housing/financial advice/drug counselling/family liaison.
Governor / Director
Resettlement
Recommendation 10
Cell conditions should be Improved and upgraded, including better toilet screening.
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 11
A return to qualification opportunities in horticulture and the gymnasium.
Governor / Director
Education