Prison
Cat YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Eastwood Park
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 12 March 2022
This has been another challenging year due to Covid-19, impacting regime and IMB monitoring. While staff professionalism is commended, the Board remains concerned about high self-harm and violence levels, inadequate mental health provision, and the impact of lockdowns on prisoners' wellbeing. Despite some improvements in healthcare applications and infrastructure investment, significant issues persist with staffing, accommodation options post-release, and the segregation of a severely brain-injured prisoner.
Positive Findings
The Board commends management and staff for their professional and humane approach during the challenging pandemic. They welcome the start of construction for the long-awaited activity centre and the opening of Eden House, an approved premises that has already benefited women from Eastwood Park. There has been a steady decrease in healthcare applications, suggesting improvements in provision. Investment in building quality has improved several areas.
Key Concerns
Segregation
Repeated
Our concerns continue about a prisoner with an acquired brain injury who has been continuously segregated at Downview and Eastwood Park prisons for 1,202 days by the end of this reporting period.
Mental Health
Women with mental health issues and complex needs who would be better treated in the health rather than criminal justice system continue to be sent to Eastwood Park.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
When will the longstanding dampness on two wings be addressed?
Staffing
Given the fluctuations in staffing levels caused by this pandemic, which are likely to continue for some time, will HMPPS ensure that prisons are staffed sufficiently to cope with this ongoing situation?
Resettlement/Release
Will HMPPS confirm what actions they are taking to improve the accommodation options for women leaving prisons and when this is likely to have an impact on outcomes?
Staffing
What action is being taken to improve officer recruitment and retention at Eastwood Park?
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
Construction of the new activities centre is due for completion by June 2022. When is this important training facility due to become operational?
Safety
Repeated
The levels of self-harm at Eastwood Park continue to be high and of great concern to the IMB.
Safety
ACCT care plans need to be improved.
Safety
The levels of bullying at Eastwood Park were variable but generated a number of applications to the IMB.
Safety
The late reporting of use of force incidents was of concern.
Substance Misuse
The inflow of drugs at Eastwood Park even during the time of the most stringent lockdown was of great concern.
Food/Catering
There were issues with the quality of food, especially bread, which needed to be improved.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The replacement windows for the administration block needed fitting.
Staffing
Repeated
Staffing levels as a result of the pandemic were seriously compromised.
Equality/Diversity
Ethnicity data collected at reception was often missing.
Equality/Diversity
The lived experience of BAME/GRT/FN prisoners needed improving.
Complaints/Property
While investigating complaints, the prisoner should be listened to.
Other
The storage and distribution of property needed improving.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels were under-resourced for most of the year, leading to prisoners being locked in for extended periods, up to 23 hours a day. This was compounded by delays in recruit training, staff shielding, leave backlogs, retirements, and long Covid sickness. These shortages severely impacted prisoners' mental and physical health and made maintaining a safe regime challenging, often preventing unlocks for essential activities.
Healthcare
Healthcare is provided by InspireBetterHealth with partners for physical health, GP, dentistry, and midwifery. Despite improvements reflected in a steady reduction of IMB applications, issues persist with the telephone appointment system and delayed access to medication. A mental health crisis team operates daily, and the team has recruited peer mentors and a neurodevelopmental practitioner. Mental Health Act transfers increased, but waiting times for external placements remain a concern, leading to seriously unwell women being managed on less prepared wings.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime was heavily impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, leading to prisoners experiencing extended lock-up times, often 23 hours a day, and limited time out of cell (30-60 minutes during lockdown). This caused significant concern regarding exercise and showering opportunities. As restrictions eased, more opportunities for exercise and gym use became available, but the overall failure of the regime to match population changes hindered meeting offending-related needs.
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) | 12 | 38 | |
| Adjudications | 4 | 6 | |
| Board requests | 12 | 14 | |
| Bullying | 43 | 41 | |
| Clothing | 16 | 15 | |
| Daily routine (including time out of cell) | 16 | 10 | |
| Discrimination/equality | 0 | 0 | |
| Food | 11 | 35 | |
| Healthcare/medication | 36 | 58 | |
| Legal | 15 | 26 | |
| Letters/post | 2 | 1 | |
| Other | 27 | 19 | |
| Property | 95 | 107 | |
| Staff | 1 | 11 | |
| TOTAL | 319 | 397 | |
| Transport | 1 | 0 | |
| Visits | 12 | 2 | |
| Wellbeing/safer custody | 16 | 14 |
Recommendations (9)
Other: 3
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 2
5 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Our concerns continue about a prisoner with an acquired brain injury who has been continuously segregated at Downview and Eastwood Park prisons for 1,202 days by the end of this reporting period. In response to correspondence your predecessor stated that ‘the truth is that the right environment simply doesn’t exist within the prison system to cater for her unique needs’. Why is it acceptable to discriminate against women when specialist facilities are available for men with a similar condition?
Other
(minister)
Segregation
Recommendation 2
Women with mental health issues and complex needs who would be better treated in the health rather than criminal justice system continue to be sent to Eastwood Park. When will the Minister take action to reduce this significantly?
Other
(minister)
Mental Health
Recommendation 3
Repeated
In response to a question in our last annual report about the establishment of a women’s centre in Wales, your predecessor responded by advising that seed funding had been made available. What progress has been made with this project?
Other
(minister)
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
Repeated
In response to a question in our last annual report about the establishment of a women’s centre in Wales, the Minister responded by advising that seed funding had been made available. When is the centre likely to open?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
When will the longstanding dampness on two wings be addressed?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 6
Given the fluctuations in staffing levels caused by this pandemic, which are likely to continue for some time, will HMPPS ensure that prisons are staffed sufficiently to cope with this ongoing situation?
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 7
Will HMPPS confirm what actions they are taking to improve the accommodation options for women leaving prisons and when this is likely to have an impact on outcomes?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. addressed
Construction of the new activities centre is due for completion by June 2022. When is this important training facility due to become operational?
Governor / Director
Education
Recommendation 9
What action is being taken to improve officer recruitment and retention at Eastwood Park?
Governor / Director
Staffing
Other IMB Reports for Eastwood Park
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.