Prison
Cat A, B
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Long Lartin
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 22 April 2022
HMP Long Lartin, a Category A/B dispersal prison, operated under a severely restricted Covid-19 regime throughout 2021, leading to reduced activities and frustrations. While the prison was orderly and staff generally humane, violence increased, and self-harm incidents were high, largely due to a few complex individuals. Significant concerns persist regarding the inhumane night sanitation system, inadequate estate maintenance by Amey, and persistent delays in mental health hospital transfers.
Positive Findings
The Board found Long Lartin to be an orderly and disciplined prison where staff generally treated prisoners fairly and humanely. Education provision remained responsive despite restrictions. The safer custody team showed commitment to vulnerable prisoners, expanding Listener training and improving ACCT procedures. Use of force was limited and appropriate. Chaplaincy provided essential support to prisoners and staff. Healthcare leadership improved, and the Inclusion team for mental health and substance misuse is dedicated and well-staffed. The gym team also demonstrated appreciated commitment to providing activities.
Key Concerns
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The night sanitation process continues to be a degrading and inhumane daily experience for prisoners on four wings and the benefits of an expensive new control system have been only marginal. The Board fully endorses HMIP’s assessment that the lack of in-cell sinks has been a significant health risk during the pandemic.
Mental Health
Repeated
The Board reiterates previous reports that long periods of segregation cause damage to prisoners’ mental health.
Mental Health
Repeated
The Board asks the Minster why no such reduction in delays has been apparent during 2021 regarding prisoners’ transfer to secure hospitals.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The contractor Amey has consistently failed to provide an adequate maintenance service to the establishment.
Healthcare
The Board recommends that beds and mattresses suitable for relief of back pain should be made readily available to prisoners in need of them.
Resettlement/Release
The Board believes that the standardisation of rules for the transfer of prisoners’ property in the LTHSE is overdue and should be addressed without delay.
Safety
Repeated
The Board continues to strongly support the need for a stand-alone designated safety group of officers, including ACCT assessors, to support prisoners at most risk.
Healthcare
Repeated
The Board believes that the important work done by Inclusion would benefit from greater understanding and support from management and staff.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels remained a significant challenge throughout the year, with various departments experiencing shortages and officers often redeployed. The operational staff had a 10.14% shortfall, and 20% had less than 2 years' experience. Key worker schemes continued but focused more on welfare. Recruitment was hindered by CTC clearance delays. The CSRU was particularly understaffed, operating with 17 permanent staff out of 28, often requiring officers with limited experience from other wings.
Healthcare
Healthcare services, provided by Practice Plus Group and Inclusion (MPFT), faced significant challenges due to Covid-19 and staff shortages, leading to delayed and cancelled appointments. The inpatient facility is deemed inadequate and unsuitable for recovery. While Inclusion managers believe the pandemic did not severely impact mental health, access to patients and care delivery were reduced. Delays in transfers to secure hospitals persist, with one lasting 200 days. There is also a lack of suitable beds/mattresses for prisoners with back pain.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison regime was severely restricted throughout 2021 due to Covid-19, fluctuating between stages 1, 2, and 3. This resulted in long periods of lockdown, reduced association, and cessation of many activities, causing considerable frustration among prisoners. While some restrictions eased, gym access was eventually reduced, and weekend closures occurred towards the year-end, limiting purposeful activity and time out of cells.
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 | |
| Activities (including workshops, education, gym) | 39 | 36 | |
| Discipline | 12 | 11 | |
| Food | 21 | 22 | |
| Healthcare | 29 | 33 | |
| Legal | 16 | 21 | |
| Money/earnings | 24 | 34 | |
| Other | 19 | 22 | |
| Property | 23 | 46 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns (including bullying) | 44 | 55 | |
| Total | 282 | 330 | |
| Visits | 10 | 12 |
Recommendations (9)
Other: 3
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 3
7 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board requests an answer from the Minister as to why there was no mention of replacing nightsan in the Prisons Strategy White Paper December 2021 and would welcome an early visit by the Minister to see for herself the unsuitability of the system.
Other
(minister)
Estate
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board requests the Minister to ensure that segregation is used only as a short term measure across the prison estate and that segregated prisoners receive all available treatment, opportunity and encouragement to progress towards reform.
Other
(minister)
Regime
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board asks the Minster why no such reduction in delays has been apparent during 2021 regarding prisoners' transfer to secure hospitals.
Other
(minister)
Mental Health
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board urges the Prison Service to ensure that the terms of the contract ensure proper standards of maintenance and that the contractor satisfactorily meets all its obligations.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 5
The Board recommends that beds and mattresses suitable for relief of back pain should be made readily available to prisoners in need of them, at their own cost if it is considered appropriate.
HMPPS
Healthcare
Recommendation 6
The Board believes that the standardisation of rules for the transfer of prisoners’ property in the LTHSE is overdue and should be addressed without delay.
HMPPS
Administration
Recommendation 7
Repeated
The Board continues to strongly support the need for a stand-alone designated safety group of officers, including ACCT assessors, to support prisoners at most risk.
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board believes that a detailed survey of the condition of the whole establishment should be undertaken without delay, followed by clear decisions and action to restore it to an acceptable condition.
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board believes that the important work done by Inclusion would benefit from greater understanding and support from management and staff.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Other IMB Reports for Long Lartin
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
30 Sep 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 2
Activity: 2
Release: 3
5 Dec 2022
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 2
Activity: 1
Release: 2
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.