Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Stafford
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 21 September 2022
HMP Stafford, a Category C training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, navigated significant challenges during the reporting period, primarily systemic failures in medicines management, Covid-19 outbreaks, and staff shortages impacting the regime. While the Board noted severe concerns regarding healthcare and the lack of in-cell phones, it commended staff resilience, low violence levels, good education attendance, and effective resettlement efforts, particularly in securing accommodation for released residents.
Positive Findings
The Board can only praise both staff and residents for their forbearance and resilience during these extremely difficult times. The prison demonstrated low levels of violence and drug abuse, and residents consistently felt safe. Patient-facing healthcare staff received positive feedback, and mental health services were well-regarded. The prison was kept remarkably clean, and food provision was praised. Education attendance averaged 90%, and the education team was commended for innovative delivery. The Board was pleased that all but one resident released had accommodation.
Key Concerns
Healthcare
Repeated
Sustained effective healthcare and medicines management that delivers for the residents of HMP Stafford and not just PPG targets
Other
For the prison to move to more of a Cat C rather than Cat B feel
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The need to introduce modern in-cell phone technology (fixed or mobile)
Equality/Diversity
Appalling treatment of some Foreign National residents when being sent home, particularly those convicted of a sexual offence, including repeated returns to the prison due to flight cancellations or unavailable escorts.
Estate/Conditions
Impact of a persistent legionella outbreak necessitating temporary porta-showers and closure of many wing shower areas, severely impacting residents' ability to obtain showers, especially those with disabilities.
Healthcare
Lack of appropriate placement for residents with severe dementia in the Special Care Unit (SCU) despite available beds, forcing them to cope in standard cells.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staff shortages, high numbers of hospital escorts, and inability to provide training negatively impacted the Key Worker programme, which is not at the desired level. Staffing numbers remained stable, with a high proportion (52.2%) over 50, ensuring maturity. Despite this, there was a perception of a younger staff demographic joining.
Healthcare
Medicines management failures consistently and repeatedly severely impacted resident safety and humane treatment, despite IMB escalation. This was identified as a systemic, localised problem. However, the quality of care by patient-facing staff (nurses, mental health, social care) was generally good and praised, though overshadowed by medicines management issues. Towards the end of the reporting period, a positive shift in management led to significant improvements in medication delivery.
Regime & Daily Life
Covid-19 outbreaks, staff shortages, and a persistent legionella outbreak severely curtailed many activities and led to more time spent in cells. Wing closures were higher than desirable due to low staff numbers and increased hospital visits. The lack of in-cell phones exacerbated issues, as existing wing phones were often disrepaired or hogged, despite being an accepted norm in other prisons.
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 | 9 | 2 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 3 | 2 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives schemes, sanctions | 5 | 0 | |
| Equality | 4 | 1 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 3 | 1 | |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 0 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 72 | 1 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 5 | 1 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 19 | 2 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 13 | 0 | |
| Property within this establishment | 19 | 1 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 5 | 0 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 12 | 3 | |
| Staff/resident concerns, including bullying | 16 | 4 | |
| Transfers | 2 | 1 |
Recommendations (3)
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 1
2 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Sustained effective healthcare and medicines management that delivers for the residents of HMP Stafford and not just PPG targets
HMPPS
Healthcare
Recommendation 2
For the prison to move to more of a Cat C rather than Cat B feel
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The need to introduce modern in-cell phone technology (fixed or mobile)
HMPPS
Regime
Other IMB Reports for Stafford
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
19 Nov 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 3
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.