Prison
Cat Training prison (Category C)
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
The Verne
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 24 December 2021
HMP The Verne experienced a challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a major outbreak, significant staff absences, and disruption to the prison regime, including education, work, and visits. Despite these challenges, the prison maintained a very safe environment with low violence, and the Board commended staff dedication and the strong ethos of mutual respect. Key concerns persist regarding the provision of 24-hour social and healthcare for the ageing population, slow progress on a proposed hospital unit, and the need for more purposeful activity.
Positive Findings
HMP The Verne is commended for being a very safe prison with rare instances of violence, fostering an ethos of mutual respect between staff and residents. The food provision is of a high standard, catering for diverse needs. Staff-prisoner relationships are excellent, and the Board is confident in the prison's monitoring and addressing of minority needs, with particular appreciation for the chaplaincy's dedication. The complaints system is well-managed, and work opportunities are well-regarded by residents.
Key Concerns
Healthcare
Repeated
The lack of 24 hour provision for an as yet small but growing number of frail, elderly residents who need regular personal care.
Staffing
The need, in any future pandemic, for prison staff to be treated as a priority group in respect of vaccination.
Healthcare
Repeated
The delays in establishing a ‘community hospital’ and a facility enabling 24hr social care at The Verne.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The need for the Governor to continue the search for further employment opportunities for Verne residents.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted staffing levels, leading to critical shortages and redeployments, with 21% of operational staff absent in March due to illness or isolation. The key worker scheme was disrupted by restrictions on movement. Staff dedication was commended for maintaining the regime under these difficult circumstances, often working excessively long hours. The Board also noted the strain on staff for escorts and bed-watches, particularly regarding mental health cases.
Healthcare
Healthcare at The Verne was dominated by a major COVID-19 outbreak in February 2021, resulting in five deaths from Covid and four from pre-existing conditions, despite high vaccination rates among residents. Routine care fell behind but waiting lists are now falling. The ageing population presents complex needs, and the lack of 24-hour nursing cover and slow progress on a proposed 'hospital unit' and social care facility are significant concerns. Mental health concerns increased due to isolation, and one prisoner waited two weeks for an acute bed transfer.
Regime & Daily Life
The regime at HMP The Verne was significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to widespread acceptance of necessary limitations, indicative of strong staff-prisoner relationships. During lockdowns, prisoners were confined to spurs with only one hour of daily exercise, and the gym and library remained closed, though activity packs and books were delivered. Work opportunities were restricted to essential tasks, resulting in a need for more purposeful activity and workplaces. Visits were cancelled for a period and later resumed with strict social distancing.
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 | 1 | 11 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | 1 | — |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 1 | 3 | |
| Equality | 0 | 0 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | 4 | |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 0 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 3 | 8 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 0 | 6 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 2 | 7 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 2 | 6 | |
| Property within this establishment | 1 | 4 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 1 | 4 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 3 | 8 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 1 | 1 | — |
| Transfers | 0 | 2 |
Recommendations (3)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 1
Governor / Director: 1
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
The Board invites the Minister to reflect on the need, in any future pandemic, for prison staff to be treated as a priority group in respect of vaccination.
Ministry of Justice
Staffing
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board urges HMPPS to expedite the establishment of the ‘community hospital’ and a facility enabling 24hr social care at The Verne.
HMPPS
Healthcare
Recommendation 3
The Board hopes the Governor will continue the search for further employment opportunities for Verne residents.
Governor / Director
Purposeful Activity
Other IMB Reports for The Verne
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
8 Jul 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 3
Activity: 2
Release: 2
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.