Prison
Cat B local YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Lincoln
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 14 August 2022
HMP/YOI Lincoln is regarded as a well-managed Category B local prison, successfully maintaining a humane regime and significantly reducing violence and self-harm despite operational challenges from its Victorian buildings and the pandemic. The Board noted positive developments in healthcare and staff-prisoner relations, alongside efforts to improve the estate. However, significant concerns persist regarding slow progress on repairs, the high incidence of homelessness among discharged prisoners, and the lack of specialist mental health services for personality disorders.
Positive Findings
The Board acknowledges the prison's progress and significant improvements over five years, noting it as a well-run establishment that maintained a humane regime and reduced violence and self-harm during the pandemic. Commendations include efforts to improve cleanliness and appearance, excellent healthcare provision, and positive staff-prisoner relationships. Specific improvements noted were reductions in self-harm and illicit drug use, upgrades to water treatment and shower facilities, and the appointment of a neurodiversity lead.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The tardy manner in which numerous repair and maintenance jobs across the establishment are dealt with (see paragraph 5.1.5).
Resettlement/Release
The high level of homelessness of discharged prisoners (see paragraph 7.4.8).
Other
There is a small but nevertheless significant group of prisoners in Lincoln who are subject to indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) and have remained in custody well beyond their tariff date.
Mental Health
Repeated
The absence of a comprehensive and readily accessible personality disorder treatment service (see paragraph 6.3.1).
Equality/Diversity
The building structures do not lend themselves to easy access for prisoners who have mobility difficulties or are wheelchair bound (see paragraphs 5.4.6 and 5.4.7).
Education/Purposeful Activity
Some prisoners need education in social and inter-personal skills. While Covid regulations prevented face-to-face teaching their needs could not adequately be met.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staff retention is a national issue reflected at HMP/YOI Lincoln, contributing to lower than expected staffing levels. Despite this, and periods of high Covid-related sickness, the prison successfully maintained its regime. Newly recruited staff often bring customer service experience, enhancing positive prisoner interactions. To counter reduced training opportunities during Covid, the prison implemented 'speed training' events on key areas like 'procedural justice' and 'jailcraft', which appeared to improve interactions.
Healthcare
Healthcare services are on par with community primary care, including on-site mental health provision, with all new prisoners assessed within 24 hours. The prison faces a high incidence of mental ill-health, estimated at 40% of the population, with mental health needs generally well-managed by a dedicated team available daily. However, there remains inadequate specialist care for personality disorders. A neurodiversity lead has been appointed, showing positive early impact, while social care is outsourced to the community, often using 'buddy' prisoners for support.
Regime & Daily Life
The pandemic necessitated extraordinary efforts to maintain prison operations, though regime changes severely limited educational and vocational opportunities, with contact between prisoners and staff often by telephone. Despite restrictions, in-cell telephones remained available until 11pm, providing essential well-being support with increased call credit. Association remained limited, leading to significant time in cells for those not in education or work, partially mitigated by distraction packs and increased TV access.
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 | 9 | — |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | 1 | — |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 6 | 3 | |
| Equality | 3 | 4 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 6 | 6 | — |
| Food and kitchens | 2 | 3 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 19 | 18 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 3 | 5 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 15 | 9 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 21 | 10 | |
| Property within this establishment | 10 | 9 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 3 | 1 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 7 | 5 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 15 | 8 | |
| Transfers | 1 | 7 |
Recommendations (6)
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 2
Ministry of Justice: 1
NHS / Healthcare Provider: 1
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As in previous years, the Board remains concerned about the tardy manner in which numerous repair and maintenance jobs across the establishment are dealt with (see paragraph 5.1.5).
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 1
Whilst acknowledging that the building structures do not lend themselves to easy access for prisoners who have mobility difficulties or are wheelchair bound (see paragraphs 5.4.6 and 5.4.7), are there any further plans to improve disabled access to all parts of the establishment?
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Despite the great efforts made locally, the Board remains concerned about the high level of homelessness of discharged prisoners (see paragraph 7.4.8).
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Some prisoners need education in social and inter-personal skills. While Covid regulations prevented face-to-face teaching their needs could not adequately be met; what extra efforts can be introduced to help them to catch up?
Governor / Director
Education
Recommendation 3
The Board is concerned that there is a small but nevertheless significant group of prisoners in Lincoln who are subject to indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) and have remained in custody well beyond their tariff date.
Ministry of Justice
Progression
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
With regard to prisoners with mental health issues, the Board continues to be concerned about the absence of a comprehensive and readily accessible personality disorder treatment service (see paragraph 6.3.1).
NHS / Healthcare Provider
Mental Health
Other IMB Reports for Lincoln
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.