Prison
Cat D, YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Thorn Cross
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 18 July 2022
HMP/YOI Thorn Cross experienced a challenging year due to the pandemic and staffing issues but maintained a safe and humane environment. The Board found the prison's rehabilitative culture and healthcare provision to be strong, with positive staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include budget pressures, delays in high-risk transfers, persistent property issues, and the need to improve data collection on protected characteristics and reduce absconds.
Positive Findings
Thorn Cross is a safe establishment where incidents of violence and bullying remain rare. Prisoners are treated well by staff, with good relationships and a respectful regime. Healthcare services are good, well-assessed, and praised by prisoners, particularly the dedicated mental health service. The establishment maintains a rehabilitative culture with positive partnership working and bespoke provision for resettlement.
Key Concerns
Other
To ensure that the prison budget keeps pace with the inflationary pressures, which are now being felt (5.1.5).
Safety
Repeated
To ensure that the ministerial oversight of high risk prisoners transferring to the open estate does not cause undue delay (4.0.6).
Other
Repeated
To resolve the continuing issues with the transfer of property so that less of it goes missing and when it does there is a swift remedy (5.8.1).
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
To provide decent fire retardant seating consistent with the ethos of the open estate (5.1.2).
Safety
To ensure that sending prisons complete records fully (6.6.7) (4.0.2).
Safety
Repeated
To continue to pursue initiatives that will reduce the number of absconds (4.0.4) (4.0.5).
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
To extend the number of areas of prison activity that are analysed in terms of protected characteristics (5.4.1) (5.4.2).
Substance Misuse
To increase mandatory drug testing to at least pre-pandemic levels (4.5.5).
Other
To train members of the Prison Council so that they are better equipped to fulfil their role (5.3.4).
Estate/Conditions
To ensure that the infrastructure is such that it can manage any increase in number (4.1.1) (4.2.3) (6.1.6) (7.2.2).
Estate/Conditions
To learn from the experiences of the recent introduction of extra accommodation, resulting in better planning and implementation of any future new accommodation (5.1.1).
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Provision of regular complaints monitoring information - Lack of staffing has meant that although data is more frequently provided it is still sometimes incomplete.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The reporting year was challenging due to high staff absence, both COVID-related and otherwise, which impacted workload and morale. Proactive management by the Acting Governor has led to a gradual reduction in absences. There have been several staffing changes and some vacancies, which are now being filled. Healthcare staffing remains below full capacity, necessitating a resource review.
Healthcare
Healthcare quality is consistently good, with a well-led service responsive to patient needs. The prison successfully contained COVID outbreaks and saw steadily improving vaccine uptake. GP waiting times are currently two weeks but decreasing, while mental health services are prompt, typically within 48 hours. Dental services are well-used and running at full capacity, with all in-house specialist clinics restored to pre-pandemic levels.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison successfully managed the pandemic, ensuring prisoners maintained as near a normal regime as possible with a gradual return to normal operations. The regime is described as courteous, respectful, and good-humoured. Induction processes are now more thorough and structured, supported by peer mentors. Physical activity, including gym use and outdoor exercise, has returned to pre-pandemic levels after refurbishment.
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 | |
| Adjudication and discipline | 5 | 1 | |
| Clothing, hygiene and laundry | 2 | 0 | |
| Food and diet | 0 | 0 | |
| General/other | 15 | 11 | |
| Healthcare | 4 | 2 | |
| Legal | 1 | 1 | — |
| Property | 24 | 35 | |
| Sentence and release | 8 | 7 | |
| Staff issues | 2 | 0 | |
| Visits | 2 | 0 | |
| Welfare and finances | 1 | 1 | — |
| Work, training, education | 3 | 0 |
Recommendations (12)
Other: 2
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 6
6 repeated
Recommendation 1
To ensure that the prison budget keeps pace with the inflationary pressures, which are now being felt (5.1.5).
Other
(minister)
Other
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. addressed
To ensure that the ministerial oversight of high risk prisoners transferring to the open estate does not cause undue delay (4.0.6).
Other
(minister)
Safety
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To resolve the continuing issues with the transfer of property so that less of it goes missing and when it does there is a swift remedy (5.8.1).
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To continue the controlled use of mobile phones, as it maintains family ties and so aids rehabilitation (7.4.2).
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To provide decent fire retardant seating consistent with the ethos of the open estate (5.1.2).
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 6
To ensure that sending prisons complete records fully (6.6.7) (4.0.2).
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To continue to pursue initiatives that will reduce the number of absconds (4.0.4) (4.0.5).
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
To extend the number of areas of prison activity that are analysed in terms of protected characteristics (5.4.1) (5.4.2).
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 9
To increase mandatory drug testing to at least pre-pandemic levels (4.5.5).
Governor / Director
Substance Misuse
Recommendation 10
To train members of the Prison Council so that they are better equipped to fulfil their role (5.3.4).
Governor / Director
Other
Recommendation 11
To ensure that the infrastructure is such that it can manage any increase in number (4.1.1) (4.2.3) (6.1.6) (7.2.2).
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 12
To learn from the experiences of the recent introduction of extra accommodation, resulting in better planning and implementation of any future new accommodation (5.1.1).
Governor / Director
Estate
Other IMB Reports for Thorn Cross
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
2 May 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 3
Activity: 4
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.