Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Erlestoke
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 15 October 2021
HMP Erlestoke generally maintained a safe and humane environment during the reporting year ending March 2021, despite the challenges of Covid-19. Key improvements included a significant reduction in violence, commendable healthcare management of a Covid-19 outbreak, and improved resettlement planning. However, concerns remain regarding a troubling increase in self-harm, inadequate provision for prisoners with complex needs and IPP sentences, estates issues, and the impact of regime restrictions on purposeful activity.
Positive Findings
The Board is satisfied that prisoners at HMP Erlestoke remain relatively safe, noting a significant decrease in incidents of violence. Prisoners are largely treated humanely, with senior management easing lockdown restrictions to allow more time out of cells. Healthcare performed exceptionally well in managing a serious Covid-19 outbreak, and resettlement planning has seen considerable improvement. The prison staff are highly commended for their commitment and excessive hours worked during lockdown, and the Listeners service is praised for excellent work in challenging circumstances. Improvements have been noted in routine maintenance, cleanliness, and the provision of quality distraction packs in segregation, leading to better behaviour and atmosphere. The education and library departments have made valiant efforts to provide services, and the OMU staff are commended for their dedication.
Key Concerns
Mental Health
A prisoner with special needs, likely driven by autism, has languished in segregation, with continued confinement deemed inhumane due to a lack of suitable accommodation within the prison system.
Mental Health
A number of IPP prisoners, many years over their original sentence tariff, are without hope, becoming institutionalised and dehumanised, with some suffering from mental illness.
Estate/Conditions
Two residential units were closed during the year, and plans to replace them appear to have faltered, hindering long-term planning for the prison.
Estate/Conditions
The existing weight training gym's leaking roof urgently requires replacement, putting new flooring and equipment in peril.
Healthcare
Repeated
A healthcare representative is still absent in 40% of first ACCT reviews, despite this being the second year improvements have been noted.
Other
There is currently no clear communication with the IMB regarding prisoners segregated on their own location.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Prisoners and staff complain regularly over lack of consistency from management about the application of rules.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
Function heads take scant part in diversity and inclusion meetings, and monitoring equality and fairness requires a more robust regime with appropriate analysis of trends, a recurring theme.
Complaints/Property
The complaints system lacks independence in terms of investigation.
Healthcare
A lack of adequate Wi-Fi capability and suitable iPads means patient healthcare records cannot be accessed at reception or on the wings, putting patients at risk.
Safety
Self-harm incidents rose significantly by 86% (from 211 to 392) in 2020-2021, involving 93 individuals, in direct contrast to national statistics.
Segregation
Conditions in the CSU fell well below acceptable standards of decency in early August 2020, with prisoners left without proper sanitation and running water for up to three weeks due to damage and ineffective repairs.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Covid-induced cessation of programmes, training, education, employment, and any purposeful activity made it difficult for prisoners to progress their sentence, causing understandable anger and frustration.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing has faced challenges, including a reduction in reception staff and a high turnover in healthcare. GFSL is understaffed in four trades, and the Offender Management Unit (OMU) is understaffed, leading to high caseloads for probation officers. Recruiting for the OMU is particularly challenging. The lead manager for the Drug Rehabilitation Unit left but has since returned, and the PE department is almost fully staffed. The education department is fully staffed, except for a recently withdrawn inclusion practitioner.
Healthcare
Healthcare successfully managed a major Covid-19 outbreak, but faces ongoing challenges. A significant concern is the lack of IT capability, including poor WiFi, which prevents nurses from accessing patient records at reception and on wings, potentially compromising patient safety. There is a relatively high turnover of healthcare staff. Attendance of healthcare representatives at first ACCT reviews has improved to 60% but remains mandated. GP waiting times increased to six weeks, and dental waiting times to six months. The out-of-hours service is deemed unsatisfactory, and a long-term vacancy for a mental health nurse persists, leaving the wellbeing team stretched.
Regime & Daily Life
Covid-19 restrictions led to prisoners being locked in cells for up to 22 hours a day, severely curtailing programmes, training, education, employment, and purposeful activity, causing frustration. Inductions were largely suspended. Physical education instructors ran outdoor exercise sessions when gyms were closed. Key working schemes ceased, increasing OMU workload and impacting prisoner progression. While efforts were made to enhance time out of cell compared to other prisons, the lack of activities and face-to-face engagement remains a significant issue.
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) | 45 | 38 | |
| Adjudications | 19 | 24 | |
| Bullying/Victimisation | 15 | 22 | |
| Food | 45 | 52 | |
| Healthcare (including dental) | 139 | 176 | |
| IPF | 13 | 24 | |
| Lost Property/Clothing | 102 | 132 | |
| Other | 76 | 124 | |
| Staff-Prisoner Relations | 75 | 86 | |
| Total | 567 | 740 | |
| Visits/Telephones/Letters | 17 | 28 | |
| Work/Education/Activities | 21 | 34 |
Recommendations (10)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 5
NHS / Healthcare Provider: 1
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
Will the Minister consider providing more facilities to meet the needs of those within the autistic spectrum, unsuitable for location in a normal prison environment?
Ministry of Justice
Mental Health
Recommendation 2
What steps are proposed to alleviate this national tragedy?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
When will the units be replaced?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 4
Will funds be put in place to achieve this goal?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will further efforts be made to ensure that firstly, prison staff liaise with healthcare staff to inform them of forthcoming reviews and secondly that better arrangements are made to schedule reviews for healthcare operating hours?
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 6
Will this be rectified?
Governor / Director
Other
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Will action be taken to address this issue?
Governor / Director
Respect
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
This is a recurring theme and will action now be taken?
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 9
What steps do you intend to take to improve this situation?
Governor / Director
Complaints
Recommendation 10
Will steps be taken to enhance IT capabilities in this regard?
NHS / Healthcare Provider
Healthcare
Other IMB Reports for Erlestoke
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
10 Jun 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 2
Activity: 1
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.