Manchester

The Board is very concerned about the mental health of such prisoners. Prison is not a suitable environment, evidenced by the clinical decision that they need transfer to hospital, and neither segregation nor healthcare can provide the care that is necessary for such prisoners. Being managed in such unsuitable environment may further damage the prisoners’ mental health that is already frail, and the Board’s regular interactions with such prisoners also suggest so. It also adds a strain on the jail as such management requires more resources and can also be challenging for staff to deal with. In the light of the above, the Board concludes that the waiting times for transfers to secure healthcare facilities are often unacceptable and unfair. The Board understands the obstacles that the Covid-19 pandemic may have introduced, however, this concern was evident prior to the pandemic.

The Board would advise that it continues to have concerns about the security of prisoners’ property. This applies particularly where prisoners are moving internally between wings at HMP Manchester and when prisoners arrive on transfer from other prisons. Although it is now a requirement for staff at HMP Manchester to use Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVCs) during cell clearances, the Board understands that this is not happening for every clearance. The Board further understands that after cells have been cleared they are left unlocked and therefore any overlooked property is unprotected, presenting an opportunity for it to go missing.

The Board has noted an increase in applications relating to prisoners being permitted to order items directly from the catalogue but finding when these items arrive that they do not meet the criteria as permitted items in the prison. In addition, prisoners at HMP Manchester are restricted to receiving permitted additional items during their 6 month property window, causing further frustration as the same rules do not apply in other prisons from which a number have transferred.

The Board notes the increase in the number of packages containing illegal substances being thrown over the perimeter wall into the prison.

Disappointingly, and despite numerous efforts by members of the Board, it has not been possible to obtain details of the number of triage calls resulting in actual appointments into Healthcare. The Board is concerned that this information is either being withheld from it, or else these records are not being maintained, which if true would be a poor reflection on the management responsibilities. The Board is extremely concerned at this lack of transparency.

The Board has also identified an increase in the complaints received from prisoners with regard to Wing issues. One issue in particular is the general temperature on the wings owing to regular breakdowns of the boilers throughout the reporting year, also resulting in there being no showering facilities or a lack of hot water, sometimes for a number of months. While periodic breakdowns of the boilers is not unexpected from time to time, a lack of heating and hot water for extended periods running into months at a time is unacceptable and, in times of particularly cold weather, bordering on inhumane treatment.

Recommendation 1 Repeated Prev. unaddressed

The Board welcomed the response by the Minister to their report last year and was pleased to learn that the bid for funding to install secure windows at HMP Manchester had been successful. The Board notes however that this priority work at the time of writing this report has not commenced and would therefore ask the Minister when this will happen?

Other (minister) Estate

Recommendation 2 Repeated Prev. unaddressed

In the previous annual report, the Board raised concerns about prisoners who spend prolonged periods on constant watch, sometimes in segregation. This formed part of the larger issue of management of prisoners in jail whilst they are waiting to be transferred to a secure hospital. The waiting time often lasts months. The Board acknowledges comments made by the Minister last year outlining the current ongoing work to help make the process quicker. Unfortunately, this year the Board has not seen any progress. Whilst the Board understands that some changes will not take place immediately, the Board would like to know what action is being taken in the interim period, what support is being offered to the prisoners now and what support is offered to jail when managing prisoners who should managed in a hospital environment?

Other (minister) Mental Health

Recommendation 3

Is HMPPS considering the introduction of a stricter process for recording prisoner property through the use of photographs as opposed to hand written descriptions by officers on property cards to address the number of complaints and provide reassurance to prisoners regarding their property?

HMPPS Other

Recommendation 4 Repeated

The Board would advise that it continues to have concerns about the security of prisoners’ property. This applies particularly where prisoners are moving internally between wings at HMP Manchester and when prisoners arrive on transfer from other prisons. Although it is now a requirement for staff at HMP Manchester to use Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVCs) during cell clearances, the Board understands that this is not happening for every clearance. The Board further understands that after cells have been cleared they are left unlocked and therefore any overlooked property is unprotected, presenting an opportunity for it to go missing. Would the Governor please confirm what measures are being introduced to ensure improved practices are adopted to mitigate the loss of prisoner property?

Governor / Director Other

Recommendation 5

The Board has also noted an increase in applications relating to prisoners being permitted to order items directly from the catalogue but finding when these items arrive that they do not meet the criteria as permitted items in the prison. In addition, prisoners at HMP Manchester are restricted to receiving permitted additional items during their 6 month property window, causing further frustration as the same rules do not apply in other prisons from which a number have transferred. Would the Governor confirm if existing processes in relation to prisoner property is to be reviewed to permit HMP Manchester to operate consistently with other Category B establishments?

Governor / Director Regime

Recommendation 6

The Board has also observed a case of a prisoner with learning difficulties and would like to clarify what the provisions are for such prisoners? The prisoner has learning difficulties and very low IQ and has been waiting for a suitable facility for over a year whilst being managed between healthcare and segregation units in the jail.

Governor / Director Equality

Recommendation 7

The Board notes the increase in the number of packages containing illegal substances being thrown over the perimeter wall into the prison. What measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of prisoners accessing packages whilst on exercise?

Governor / Director Substance Misuse