Prison
Cat D, YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Standford Hill
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 12 October 2021
HMP/YOI Standford Hill maintained a well-run, humane prison with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, despite significant challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board commended staff dedication and positive prison culture, but raised concerns about healthcare provision following a death in custody, the lack of an internet room, and reliance on external kitchen facilities. The pandemic severely restricted regime activities and purposeful activity, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
Positive Findings
HMP Standford Hill was found to be a very well-run prison with good morale among prisoners and staff, even amidst the pandemic. The strong emphasis on rehabilitation is credited with exceptionally low reoffending rates. Relations between staff and prisoners remained good, with the prison demonstrating sensitivity and inclusivity towards diverse prisoner needs. Healthcare staff are dedicated, and the internal complaints system functions effectively. The prison also maintains its estate well, with ongoing improvements like new accommodation pods and laundry equipment.
Key Concerns
Healthcare
The death of Mr Rahman and the inadequate healthcare oversight surrounding his discharge from hospital, raising concerns about recurrence.
Healthcare
The absence of 24/7 onsite healthcare cover, particularly at weekends, with officers performing welfare checks, which the Board remains concerned about despite prison management's satisfaction.
Resettlement/Release
The lack of an internet room for prisoners to plan their futures, prepare CVs, and maintain family links, which is crucial for successful resettlement.
Food/Catering
The reliance on HMP Swaleside for food provision and the absence of Standford Hill's own kitchen facilities and a dining room.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The severe impact of Covid-19 restrictions on purposeful activity, ROTL, education, and family visits, leading to prolonged inactivity, distress, and hindering progression and resettlement plans.
Healthcare
The lack of soundproofing in the healthcare centre preventing discreet and confidential discussions during medication dispensing.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staff numbers were severely impacted by Covid-19 infections, with many experiencing severe complications. The Board commended the dedication and transparency shown by staff in running the prison during the pandemic. There is a recognised imbalance in staff ethnicity, with most being white and recruited locally, which the prison addresses through strong equality and diversity practices. All offender supervisors are trained First Aiders, ensuring 24/7 cover.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision, delivered by Integrated Care 24 and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, faced significant challenges due to Covid-19, though prisoner satisfaction remained high. The Board expressed concern about the absence of 24/7 on-site healthcare cover and inadequate medical oversight following a prisoner's hospital discharge. Dentistry, optician, and GP services were significantly reduced or stopped due to the pandemic, and vaccine hesitancy impacted uptake, particularly among BAME groups. The lack of soundproofing in the health centre for confidential discussions remains an issue.
Regime & Daily Life
The Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted the prison regime, leading to the discontinuation of ROTL, RDR, social visits, education, and indoor gym use for much of the year. This resulted in long periods of inactivity, loss of hope, and some disappointing behaviour. Outdoor exercise was maintained, and video calls helped mitigate the loss of in-person family contact, which resumed in early 2021 with strict restrictions. The Board noted the therapeutic value of the open spaces for prisoner exercise.
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 | 0 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | — | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 4 | 5 | |
| Equality | 1 | — | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | — | |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 1 | — |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 1 | 4 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 1 | — | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 1 | — | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 9 | — | |
| Property within this establishment | 3 | — | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 1 | 5 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 10 | — | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 5 | — | |
| Total number of applications | 4 | 47 | |
| Transfers | 1 | — |
Recommendations (2)
HMPPS: 1
Governor / Director: 1
Recommendation 1
The proposed expansion of Standford Hill is to be welcomed, particularly the provision of onsite kitchen facilities. We also believe that the effectiveness of the prison and its rehabilitation programme would be enhanced if an internet room could be created for prisoners to plan their futures and communicate with future employers. We believe that, with the creation of a kitchen, prison life would be enhanced by the provision of a dining room.
HMPPS
Resettlement, Regime, Estate, Food
Recommendation 2
The last year has inevitably slowed the focus on instituting an NVQ qualification for staff working in the gardens, but this is an objective we believe should be pursued.
Governor / Director
Staffing, Education
Other IMB Reports for Standford Hill
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
8 Oct 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 3
Activity: 4
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.