Prison
Cat A
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Belmarsh
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 20 October 2022
HMP Belmarsh experienced a challenging reporting year with improvements in health and wellbeing provision and a commitment to safety, though HMIP noted safety had deteriorated. The prison addressed equality and diversity issues through dedicated leadership and improved data, but concerns remain regarding disparities in outcomes for protected characteristics. Staffing issues, particularly high ‘non-effectives’ despite target numbers, curtailed regimes and impacted key worker compliance, while lost property and prolonged mental health transfer waits persisted as significant and repeated concerns.
Positive Findings
The Board noted improvements in the provision of health and wellbeing, the re-institution of the patient council, and effective support for prisoners with substance abuse issues. Significant positive developments in equality, diversity, and inclusion work were observed, including the appointment of a dedicated manager and improved data collection. The prison also showed commitment to safety, with an embedded ACCT process, regular use of force meetings, and an excellent programme to manage gang conflicts. The removal of triple-occupancy cells, high-standard new showers, and an efficient complaints system with improving response times were also welcomed.
Key Concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
Provision for appropriate service for prisoners suffering from severe mental ill-health.
Other
Repeated
Speed up the courts process.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Ensure accommodation support for prisoners on remand.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Implement a system of managing and tracking prisoner property as it has been raised by various IMB reports for the past three years without any tangible action.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Not enough had been done to increase the level of purposeful activity for prisoners who remained locked up for very long periods each day.
Safety
The rate of violence was high, use of force had increased and there was insufficient attention to the growing level of self-harm.
Equality/Diversity
There was inadequate use of data to support the development of effective strategies for safety or equality.
Equality/Diversity
Disproportionately high numbers of Black and Muslim segregated prisoners.
Staffing
The compliance rate for key worker sessions is well below the required level.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
The situation relating to property handling when moving within the prison system has worsened and there is as yet no use of digital processes despite the Prisoner’s Property Framework being published.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Little change has been seen in provision within HSU as regime is frequently disrupted, education and or activities are rare; the horticulture workshop is still not in place.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Prisoners miss out on activities such as library visits if there are not enough staff to accompany them. There have even been occasions when prisoners have not been able to shower due to lack of staff.
Healthcare
Dental services have been a continuing source of complaint during the year, and several prisoners have complained about the waiting time to see a dentist, especially when they have been in pain.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Frustration for prisoners and their families is the perceived inadequacy of the visitors booking system.
Resettlement/Release
Complaints to the Board regarding resettlement over the year have concerned the lack of communication to prisoners about their release and how they should plan for this. Others feel they have been ‘forgotten’ as they have no sentence plan.
Resettlement/Release
Resettlement meetings have not been held regularly over the past year.
Estate/Conditions
Kitchen facilities fabric and maintenance is 'tired' and worn in parts with prime equipment out of use for several weeks or more.
Estate/Conditions
Board is disappointed that staff do not ensure that cleaning is done to an adequate standard in the newly renovated showers.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Towards the end of the reporting year, staff numbers reached target levels, yet the number of ‘non-effectives’ remained high, leading to limited staff in key areas and frequent redeployment to other parts of the prison. This significantly impacted the regime in the HSU and the effective delivery of the key worker scheme, with compliance rates well below the required level. Healthcare services also experienced management vacancies, with the head of healthcare position remaining unfilled.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision has improved, with physical health problems generally well-cared for. However, significant concerns remain regarding mental health, particularly the prolonged assessment and transfer times for prisoners needing secure mental health hospitals, a repeated issue from the previous year. The outpatient department continues to face challenges with missed appointments due to scheduling conflicts or staff shortages, and dental services are a continuing source of complaint due to long waiting times.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime, particularly in the High Security Unit (HSU), is frequently curtailed due to staff shortages, leading to reduced time out of cell, missed activities like library visits, and even inability to shower. There remains insufficient purposeful activity for many prisoners, especially in the HSU, where plans for training and education have not materialised. The continued use of "tea bag workshops" is questioned by the Board as demeaning and not preparing prisoners for modern employment.
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 | 2 | 0 | |
| Family Contact/Visits | 2 | 2 | — |
| Harassment | 4 | 2 | |
| Healthcare/Dental | 36 | 17 | |
| Meals | 20 | 6 | |
| Other | 56 | 45 | |
| Property (including mail) | 134 | 42 | |
| Race | 4 | 0 | |
| Regime | 9 | 10 | |
| Release | 6 | 5 | |
| Religion | 3 | 1 | |
| Safeguarding | 6 | 0 | |
| Security Category | 3 | 0 | |
| Segregation | 27 | 10 | |
| Total | 370 | 189 | |
| Use of Force | 13 | 11 |
Recommendations (13)
Ministry of Justice: 4
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 5
9 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will the Minister act upon the issues noted last year, which have not progressed as yet: provision for appropriate service for prisoners suffering from severe mental ill-health (see section 6.3 Mental healthcare)
Ministry of Justice
Mental Health
Response
Response given last year: There was to be monitoring or provision through portal, local meetings and coordinators. Possible use of private beds where necessary. Action taken: Progress has not been seen in this area with several very unwell prisoners placed inappropriately in healthcare or segregation.
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will the Minister act upon the issues noted last year, which have not progressed as yet: speed up the courts process
Ministry of Justice
Other
Response
Response given last year: Reconfiguration of courtrooms, introduction of ‘Nightingale courtrooms’ and revision of cell sharing to increase prison capacity. Action taken: No improvements have been seen in this area.
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will the Minister act upon the issues noted last year, which have not progressed as yet: ensure accommodation support for prisoners on remand (see section 7.5 Resettlement planning)
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Response
Response given last year: Probation pre-release teams to provide support for unconvicted prisoners with accommodation and debt. Action taken: Accommodation support for prisoners on remand is likely in the future but at the time of writing is still not provided.
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will the Minister require HMPPS to implement a system of managing and tracking prisoner property? This has been raised by various IMB reports for the past three years without any tangible action. (see section 5.8 Property)
Ministry of Justice
Complaints
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will HMPPS stand by their commitment to introduce a nationwide approach to prisoners’ property, and implement a digitalised process to reduce the amount of property lost on transfer (see section 5.8 Property)? (A new Property Framework has now been produced but still with no digitalisation).
HMPPS
Complaints
Response
Response given last year: Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework to be published. Explorations of digital property processes. Action Taken: The Prisoner’s Property Framework has now been published but the situation has worsened and there is as yet no use of digital processes.
Recommendation 6
Will HMPPS consider providing additional funds to improve the overall kitchen facilities at Belmarsh, considering the age and condition of some of the present equipment (see section 5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food)?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Will HMPPS continue to monitor and review the situation relating to in-cell telephony in the HSU (see section 5.2.1 HSU)?
HMPPS
Regime
Response
Response given last year: In-cell telephony will not happen due to live monitoring requirements. Staff are sometimes redeployed to other areas of the prison. Action taken: IMB have investigated the use of in-cell telephony – and will continue to do so.
Recommendation 8
Will HMPPS address the unavailability of online booking for prisoner visits and introduce a telephone booking process with a queuing system (see section 7.4 Family contact)?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 9
Will the prison work to create a consistent and efficient approach to prisoners’ property, on arrival in Belmarsh, received from family or canteen, and when moved within the prison in order to avoid frustration and despair (see section 5.8 Property)?
Governor / Director
Complaints
Recommendation 10
Repeated
Prev. addressed
Will the prison continue the good work already in place regarding collection and publication of data reflecting outcome and opportunity for relevant protected characteristics by ensuring that this data is scrutinised and used effectively to reduce inequality in all areas of the prison? This would include prisoner employment, use of force, segregation and decisions regarding incentive levels. (See section 5.4 Equality and diversity.)
Governor / Director
Equality
Response
Response given last year: New Equalities custodial manager in place. Monthly prisoners equality action group meetings. Equalities strategy to be reviewed. Action Taken: New custodial manager has helped to raise the profile of this area and some improvement has been seen, especially in collection and sharing of data.
Recommendation 11
Will the prison ensure that houseblock cleaning officers monitor the work carried out by houseblock orderlies so that it is of a decent standard (see section 5.1 Accommodation, clothing, food)?
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 12
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will the prison continue to review conditions in the HSU with special regard to: Fair provision of visits, including social video calls, providing a laptop for the unit and suitable visiting accommodation. The provision of purposeful activity for the prisoners including suitable learning accommodation and the introduction of a horticulture workshop and polytunnel (see section 5.2.1 HSU)?
Governor / Director
Regime
Response
Response given last year: Attempts to mitigate temperature concerns by hiring industrial fans. In-cell telephony will not happen due to live monitoring requirements. Staff are sometimes redeployed to other areas of the prison. Education and activities will progress, new agriculture coming soon, interpreters not always available so staff may be utilised. Action Taken: Little change has been seen in provision within HSU as regime is frequently disrupted, education and or activities are rare; the horticulture workshop is still not in place. IMB have investigated the use of in-cell telephony – and will continue to do so.
Recommendation 13
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will the prison ensure adequate time is ring-fenced for key worker duties to ensure the compliance rate for key worker sessions meets the required level (see section 5.3 Staff-prisoner relationships, key workers)?
Governor / Director
Staffing
Response
Response given last year: The key worker scheme is running although not dependent on regime. Action Taken: Key worker scheme has not reverted to initial planned level.
Other IMB Reports for Belmarsh
Prevention of Future Deaths Reports
Coroner PFD reports issued to this establishment.