Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Featherstone
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 12 April 2022
HMP Featherstone's IMB report for 2020-21 highlights resilience during Covid-19, with staff and prisoners adapting well, leading to reductions in self-harm and violence. Key concerns include the poor state of the prison's infrastructure, ongoing issues with transferred contracts affecting service provision, and persistent problems with prisoner property. The Board commends efforts in drug reduction and staff dedication in challenging units but calls for urgent investment in the estate, improved contract procurement, and sustained focus on staff culture and healthcare provisions.
Positive Findings
The Board commends staff and prisoners for cooperating well during the pandemic to ensure safety. The prison's safer custody team adopted a robust approach to data collection and management, and the prison is praised for its strategy in reducing drug issues. Prison officers generally showed respect and care, and medical services were well-managed despite Covid-19 pressures. Notable improvements included the refurbishment of showers on house block 5, general repainting, installation of an enhanced gate security pod, new kitchen systems, and additional video link terminals. The new X-ray machine effectively prevented contraband ingress, and the prison made significant progress in reducing violence levels. Staff in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) demonstrated dedication, compassion, and skills in a challenging year. Faith and pastoral provision was supportive, and the prison achieved Hepatitis C elimination status. The library provided excellent service, including Storybook Dads, and the horticulture team maintained high standards.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Featherstone was built in the 1970s and despite some improvements this shows in much of the accommodation, with showers, windows and heating which are not up to contemporary standards. We understand that the Ministry is aware of this, but consideration of improving the physical environment should urgently be made.
Healthcare
Repeated
This year again saw the transfer of another major contract (pharmacy) which caused significant issues in the supply of adequate services to prisoners. This follows on from the previous transfer of contracts, e.g. education and maintenance, which initially resulted in substandard provision for prisoners. In the light of these initial failures, the procurement process must be questioned.
Substance Misuse
Repeated
The monitoring of incoming prisoners has seen significant finds of prisoners arriving with drugs, which were found on scanning, as well as some examples of positive tests for Covid-19 Why are prisons allowed to export their problems in this way?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Prisoners property, particularly on transfer, remains a significant issue for the Board. How will the prison service put systems in place to resolve these issues.
Healthcare
Repeated
The provision of healthcare services has generally been good this year, and management have been responsive to the IMB. However there have been a number of issues with healthcare which will require continued monitoring by the prison, i.e. the dental contract, which has continuously underperformed; the provision of medication; the operation of the complaints system; and attendance at segregation reviews and use of force incidents.
Staffing
Repeated
Shortly after appointment, the Governor recognised that there were some problems with the culture of some staff and took steps to improve it. More than a year on, our applications indicate that some of these problems may remain and vigilance will need to be maintained to ensure issues are addressed.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Board members received assistance from prison staff, and the Governor and staff were thanked for their support during monitoring. Prison officers were observed to behave with respect, good humour, and care. However, staffing issues led to limited opportunities for prisoner progression. The chaplaincy saw significant changes, with the Roman Catholic minister leaving and a Christian minister retiring; recruitment was underway, and sessional staff were used. The head of healthcare was absent on maternity leave, and agency staff shortages meant clinically trained management had to cover clinical roles. Staffing issues, vacancies, and high sickness rates also impacted Novus's ability to deliver education courses. Experienced training staff left industries, resulting in a reported drop in morale. The Offender Management in Custody (OmiC) key worker program remained suspended for most prisoners, limiting support.
Healthcare
Medical services are generally well-managed and consistent with community provision, with Covid-19 pressures largely coped with. However, the dental waiting list remained excessive throughout the year, with promises of improvement unfulfilled and practical provision sometimes absent due to staff shortages. The transfer of the pharmacy contract from Lloyds to Practice Plus Group caused significant disruptions, including delayed medication and a data breach, though healthcare's remedial actions prevented serious consequences. The system for booking appointments is outdated. The Head of Healthcare was absent for most of the year, leading to management staff covering clinical roles due to agency shortages. Patient Participation Groups and the Local Delivery Board were inactive for much of the year. Healthcare staff's attendance and input at reviews like ACCT and GOOD were sometimes late or minimal. There are concerns about a small group of prisoners with complex mental health issues requiring more professional support than the prison can provide.
Regime & Daily Life
The restricted Covid-19 regime led to reduced ACCTs, self-harm, violence, and use of force incidents, with prisoners reporting feeling safer. However, time for association and engagement was more limited. At the start of the year, prisoners were locked in cells for up to 23 hours a day with limited access to exercise and showers, a situation accepted by most. Work opportunities were significantly reduced, with activity maintained in socially distanced cohorts. In October, the industries regime changed from a full day to two half-day shifts on alternate weeks to increase participation, which was poorly received by prisoners due to reduced pay. Property issues, especially on transfer and during cell clearances, remained a problem, exacerbated by staff shortages and new staff unfamiliarity with procedures.
Recommendations (6)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 2
5 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Featherstone was built in the 1970s and despite some improvements this shows in much of the accommodation, with showers, windows and heating which are not up to contemporary standards. We understand that the Ministry is aware of this, but consideration of improving the physical environment should urgently be made.
Ministry of Justice
Estate
Response
The showers on house block 5 have been refurbished. Amey have completed repairs to the roof of industries and the water system. Repainting around the prison took place during lockdown. The enhanced gate security pod arrived on site in June and awaits fitting out before it can be operational. HMP Featherstone is a prison that needs major investment. The Board has been asking for this for many years. Decency standards need to be driven up urgently.
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
This year again saw the transfer of another major contract (pharmacy) which caused significant issues in the supply of adequate services to prisoners. This follows on from the previous transfer of contracts, e.g. education and maintenance, which initially resulted in substandard provision for prisoners. In the light of these initial failures, the procurement process must be questioned.
HMPPS
Healthcare
Response
We have continued to see contracts transferred with deleterious effects on prisoners (The pharmacy contract)
Recommendation 3
Repeated
The monitoring of incoming prisoners has seen significant finds of prisoners arriving with drugs, which were found on scanning, as well as some examples of positive tests for Covid-19 Why are prisons allowed to export their problems in this way?
HMPPS
Safety
Response
This has improved and hopefully will get better when the enhanced gate security pod is up and running. The Board has witnessed more intelligence-led searches taking place, supported by the regional dog searching team. Every effort must be put into enhancing security to prevent illegal items from entering the prison, which puts the safety and security of staff and prisoners at risk.
Recommendation 4
Prisoners property, particularly on transfer, remains a significant issue for the Board. How will the prison service put systems in place to resolve these issues.
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The provision of healthcare services has generally been good this year, and management have been responsive to the IMB. However there have been a number of issues with healthcare which will require continued monitoring by the prison, i.e. the dental contract, which has continuously underperformed; the provision of medication; the operation of the complaints system; and attendance at segregation reviews and use of force incidents.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Response
Some progress has been made but the Board still feels that all these areas need to be tightened up.
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Shortly after appointment, the Governor recognised that there were some problems with the culture of some staff and took steps to improve it. More than a year on, our applications indicate that some of these problems may remain and vigilance will need to be maintained to ensure issues are addressed.
Governor / Director
Staffing
Other IMB Reports for Featherstone
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
23 Sep 2025
Unannounced
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.