Prison
Cat B local adult male
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Liverpool
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 18 November 2021
HMP Liverpool faced significant challenges during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime with prisoners spending limited time out of cell. Despite these restrictions, the prison was generally considered safe with reduced violence and self-harm incidents, and healthcare services were largely maintained. Key concerns persisted around the delayed transfer of mentally ill prisoners, property issues, infrastructure problems, and significant dental waiting times.
Positive Findings
The Board commended staff for their exceptional organisation during COVID-19, particularly with reverse cohorting and maintaining good relationships with prisoners. Healthcare services were found to be in line with, or better than, community provision, and the Chaplaincy team was praised for its support during difficult times. The in-cell education program was increasingly effective, with an increased quality of work from prisoners. The Governor's communication with families and the satisfactory resettlement program were also positive aspects.
Key Concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
The delays in transfer of seriously mentally ill prisoners to appropriate secure facilities is of great concern to the Board.
Other
Repeated
There is still a continuing issue with prisoners’ property
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
refurbishment programme of cell windows has been insufficient to prevent large ingress of contraband by drones in some areas of the prison (particularly I wing) along with severe vermin infestation in the gullies
Regime/Time Out of Cell
It is essential during these difficult times that phone calls to prisoners’ families are given priority owing to lack of face-to-face visits. Can the Governor please ensure that the pin number process is given the highest priority possible to ensure all prisoners are able to phone family and friends without delays?
Healthcare
considerable delays in treatment. In November 2020 the average waiting list was 212 days (around 30 weeks).
Safety
insufficient use was being made of body worn cameras (BWC) to record incidents
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staff demonstrated positive cooperation and good relationships with prisoners during the challenging pandemic year, which helped manage violence and self-harm. However, the key worker scheme was disrupted, and a reduction in administrative staff led to paperwork delays. Healthcare experienced 11 Band 5 vacancies, but these were covered by agency staff. Concerns were raised about a lack of training for servery staff.
Healthcare
Healthcare services, provided by Spectrum Healthcare UK Ltd and Mersey Care NHS Trust, were generally considered in line with or better than community standards, despite pandemic challenges. However, significant delays in dental treatment persisted, with an average waiting time of 30 weeks. The Board remained deeply concerned about the protracted transfers of seriously mentally ill prisoners, who waited an average of 83 days, and the overall response to prisoner mental wellbeing during prolonged confinement. Issues with secondary health screen completion and the lack of lockable medication cabinets were also noted.
Regime & Daily Life
The COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted the prison regime, leading to prisoners being out of their cells for only about an hour daily, primarily for showers and exercise. Workshop activities and offending behaviour programmes ceased from March 2020. Despite these limitations, the Board deemed the regime not inhumane, and prisoners largely accepted the restrictions. The Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme also saw reduced engagement opportunities due to the extensive lock-up periods.
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) | 16 | 20 | |
| Boards & Hearings | 4 | 2 | |
| Discrimination | 1 | 0 | |
| Education, Activities & Work | 2 | 1 | |
| Food | 3 | 3 | — |
| Healthcare | 17 | 18 | |
| Legal | 2 | 1 | |
| Property | 23 | 26 | |
| Regime | 1 | 0 | |
| Respect | 1 | 0 | |
| Safety | 1 | 2 | |
| Staff Conduct | 10 | 11 | |
| TOTAL | 84 | 86 | |
| Welfare | 3 | 2 |
Recommendations (4)
Other: 1
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 1
2 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
The delays in transfer of seriously mentally ill prisoners to appropriate secure facilities is of great concern to the Board. Could the Minister assure the Board that this is given high priority for resolution?
Other
(minister)
Mental Health
Recommendation 2
Repeated
There is still a continuing issue with prisoners’ property. This causes much stress and anxiety for prisoners, constant extra workload for prison staff and in all probability a great deal of money for the service in compensation. Can the prison service assure the Board that this constant problem will soon be resolved?
HMPPS
Property
Recommendation 3
HMP Liverpool is an old Victorian prison and although a great deal of money has been spent on it in the last few years, such a building needs constant maintenance. Therefore, finances need to be provided for its continual upkeep. At present there is a problem with the heating system at Liverpool.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 4
It is essential during these difficult times that phone calls to prisoners’ families are given priority owing to lack of face-to-face visits. Can the Governor please ensure that the pin number process is given the highest priority possible to ensure all prisoners are able to phone family and friends without delays?
Governor / Director
Family Contact
Other IMB Reports for Liverpool
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
11 Aug 2025
Unannounced
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.