Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Kirkham
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 28 April 2022
HMP Kirkham, a Category D open prison, faced significant challenges during the reporting period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting regime consistency and leading to periods of lockdown and outbreak declarations. While the prison maintained fair and humane treatment and received commendations for its healthcare provision and resettlement efforts through the accelerator project, key concerns remain. These include the continued transfer of unsuitable prisoners, high drug use, infrastructure deficiencies, and issues with senior management cohesion and dedicated staffing for diversity and resettlement.
Positive Findings
The Board found fair and humane treatment of prisoners, good relationships between staff and prisoners, and excellent food. Healthcare provision by Spectrum was commended for its collaborative work, high COVID-19 vaccination rates (70%), and the manager's national recognition. The accelerator project and the re-appointment of key staff significantly improved resettlement planning, particularly for accommodation and employment, leading to more positive prisoner attitudes towards release. The Board also noted the positive impact of the OMiC model on staff accountability and the usefulness of the prisoner-led Kirkham council.
Key Concerns
Safety
Repeated
Concerns persist regarding the continued transfer of prisoners unsuitable for an open establishment, contributing to high drug use, absconds, and issues with prisoner behaviour.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Infrastructure challenges remain, including persistent poor lighting, delays in maintenance, recurring heating and hot water problems, and an outdated IT system, coupled with uncertainty over the funding for a new gym.
Resettlement/Release
Significant issues in resettlement planning, particularly concerning the lack of dedicated staff for finance, banking, and debt management, and the failure of new service providers (SeeTec) to adequately secure accommodation for releasing prisoners, leading to releases to no fixed abode.
Staffing
Repeated
A perceived lack of cohesion within the Senior Management Team (SMT) and insufficient dedicated resources for a full-time, Kirkham-based Diversity and Inclusion Manager.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing challenges were noted in substance misuse services and for a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion Manager post, which is currently outsourced and deemed insufficient. The Board also expressed concern about the cohesion of the Senior Management Team. However, the implementation of the OMiC model improved accountability and contact between managers and officers. Business cases have been submitted for additional healthcare staff, including nurses and a pharmacist, to meet rising prisoner capacity.
Healthcare
Healthcare is provided by Spectrum, with mental health services by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, both demonstrating collaborative working. Despite staff shortages in substance misuse, the healthcare team successfully achieved a 70% COVID-19 vaccination rate among prisoners. Waiting times vary, with GP appointments at one week, podiatry seven weeks, physiotherapist fifteen weeks, and dental check-ups twenty-three weeks. Mental health services introduced trauma-informed therapy and a counselling service, and substance misuse developed an on-billet 'buddy scheme'.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with periods of lockdown, an outbreak site declaration, and constant changes to restrictions. While access to ROTL and community work was reintroduced as restrictions eased, the continuity of a rehabilitative work ethic was challenging to maintain. Exercise regimes were curtailed due to lockdowns, and the main sports hall remained closed due to structural issues, though a temporary gym was created.
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 | 2 | 3 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 0 | 0 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 0 | 0 | |
| Equality | 0 | 0 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 0 | 1 | |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 0 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 3 | 4 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 3 | 1 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 0 | 1 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 4 | 2 | |
| Property within this establishment | 1 | 2 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 1 | 1 | — |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 7 | 3 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 0 | 0 | |
| Transfers | 0 | 1 |
Recommendations (10)
Other: 1
HMPPS: 5
Governor / Director: 4
6 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As a Board, we understand the pressures on the Prison Service but, despite assurances for the last four years from the Minister that the categorisation of prisoners was being correctly carried out, there are still many individuals who are unsuitable for transfer to a category D establishment being sent to Kirkham.
Other
(minister)
Safety
Response
The categorisation is being carried out correctly.
Recommendation 2
Repeated
A number of works are underway but more still needs to be done. The lighting around the site is poor, and there appears to be delays between reporting issues and getting them fixed. Temporary lighting has been brought onto the site over the darker nights as lighting around the dining hall, offender management unit and chapel is very poor.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 3
Repeated
The Board is pleased that work has eventually started on the demolition of the old hangars, however progression has been much slower than planned and additional costs are being incurred. The funding included the building and furnishing of a new gym which is expected to be the final stage of the project. The Board wishes for a reassurance that final approval will be given for the funding for the new gym, so important for the wellbeing and mental stability of the prisoners, along with appropriate equipment.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. addressed
The Board is pleased that some of the work recommended in the disability review in 2019 is eventually being undertaken as part of the funding approved to repair roadways on the site, including dropping pavements for accessibility.
HMPPS
Equality
Recommendation 5
The prison’s IT system is in desperate need of an upgrade. Use of the latest Microsoft packages would enable a more accurate, efficient and robust administration with quicker queries of data and responses to complaints. This would be of benefit to both staff and prisoners.
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 6
Repeated
There is an urgent need to fully implement the abscond and drugs strategies to improve stability within the establishment. Recommendations from this work should be agreed and implemented without delay.
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 7
A member of staff needs to be identified to support finance, banking and debt management. This work is currently being covered by staff in the accelerator project as they identified that there was no support for setting up bank accounts or financial management, an area that is vital for prisoners on release.
Governor / Director
Resettlement
Recommendation 8
The Board feels that the SMT and senior management were not operating in a cohesive manner. We are aware that the introduction of a new Governor will go some way to addressing the issues.
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Kirkham are currently utilising a diversity and inclusion manager from HMP Preston on an 11-hour weekly contract. This is clearly insufficient and it is recommended that funding is made available to support a Kirkham-based post.
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 10
A recommendation to put in place a pathway from the closed to the open estate with similar facilities at each level is fully supported.
HMPPS
Substance Misuse
Other IMB Reports for Kirkham
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
9 Sep 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 2
Activity: 2
Release: 2
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.