Prison
Cat D YOI Open
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Thorn Cross
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 2 September 2021
HMP/YOI Thorn Cross continued to be a safe and respectful environment, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board noted good healthcare provision and a strong rehabilitative culture, supported by the welcomed use of mobile phones. Key concerns include the national reduction in open estate places, insufficient resources for prisoners with complex needs, and persistent issues with IT systems and missing property during transfers.
Positive Findings
Thorn Cross remains a very safe establishment with rare incidents of violence and bullying, and nearly all prisoners and staff feel safe. The regime is courteous and respectful, fostering good staff-prisoner relationships and providing good accommodation. Healthcare is of high quality, with a dedicated mental health service, and the prison successfully contained a Covid-19 outbreak. The rehabilitative culture is strong, supported by bespoke provision and good partnerships, and the Board welcomes the positive use of mobile phones and reduced call costs for prisoners.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
The number of places in the open estate nationally has fallen, which means there are a number of prisoners who are unable to benefit from the rehabilitative culture they offer and so aid a reduction in reoffending.
Mental Health
Having seen an increase in prisoners who have more complex needs, adequate resources to meet their needs should follow.
Resettlement/Release
The lack of approved premises to which prisoners can be released is a concern and more needs to be done to provide suitable accommodation.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Thorn Cross is now taking prisoners who are serving longer sentences and who have longer to go to their possible release date. It is now possible for a prisoner to move from a high security prison straight to the open estate. In our view this is unfair on such prisoners who struggle to adapt and need a great deal of support. These arrangements need urgent review.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The prison is failing in its duty to provide a decent fire retardant seating, as referenced in our last report. An alternative seating needs to be found.
Other
Repeated
The problem of prisoners being separated from their property during transfer persists. This clearly remains a systemic issue that needs fixing.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
In our report two years ago we commented on the need to upgrade the IT systems. They are no better. Too much time is wasted waiting for slow systems to respond.
Staffing
To ensure that the new OMiC model of working becomes embedded and its impact is noted in terms of outcomes for prisoners.
Safety
To take steps to reduce the amount of contraband that is brought onto the estate by intruders.
Safety
To re visit the methods used to identify those prisoners who may be at most risk of absconding so as to continue to drive down the number of absconds.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The staffing detail should be looked at to see how in person and virtual (phone and video) visits can be maintained.
Equality/Diversity
The diversity and equality action team needs to meet regularly with data being analysed to measure the impact of all areas of the prison’s work and shared with the Board in a timely manner.
Complaints/Property
To provide the Board with regular complaints monitoring information.
Board Commentary
Staffing
There have been seamless changes in senior staff roles, with new staff introducing the Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) model with great enthusiasm, though its impact is yet to be fully monitored. Healthcare staffing has been below full capacity for much of the year, with one nurse on long-term sick, but recruitment for a new full-time Band 6 post has taken place. Staff conducting OMU interviews reported feeling safer and providing a better service when face-to-face interactions resumed. Staff have also shown enthusiasm for training to effectively use upgraded IT systems in teaching.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is good, with high prisoner satisfaction and very few complaints. The prison successfully contained a Covid-19 outbreak in January 2021, supported by mass testing and a vaccination programme. Despite staffing being below full capacity for much of the year, GP clinics were maintained with a three-day waiting time. Dentistry has a legacy waiting list for aerosol-generating treatments, but a new provider, Smart Dental, took over in April. A new multi-agency approach to mental health and wellbeing has improved communication and management oversight, with a new part-time psychology professional appointed.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison's regime has been severely impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns, leading to longer periods in units and restricted physical activity, with gym use curtailed. An early lockdown regime was criticised by HMIP as disproportionately restrictive for an open prison, although prisoners expressed understanding and appreciation for safety measures. The Governor and staff worked diligently to minimise disruption and manage the unsettling effects of restrictions. As measures eased, prisoners began working in the community, with plans to increase numbers. The pandemic also significantly affected the availability of both internal and external work opportunities.
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 | 2 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 1 | 3 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 5 | 14 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 3 | 2 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 1 | 10 | |
| Total number of applications | 20 | 40 |
Recommendations (14)
Ministry of Justice: 3
HMPPS: 5
Governor / Director: 6
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
The number of places in the open estate nationally has fallen, which means there are a number of prisoners who are unable to benefit from the rehabilitative culture they offer and so aid a reduction in reoffending.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Having seen an increase in prisoners who have more complex needs, adequate resources to meet their needs should follow.
Ministry of Justice
Mental Health
Recommendation 3
The lack of approved premises to which prisoners can be released is a concern and more needs to be done to provide suitable accommodation.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
It is imperative to ensure that the learning from the positive use of mobile phones is not lost and that this temporary measure becomes a permanent feature of the open estate.
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 5
Thorn Cross is now taking prisoners who are serving longer sentences and who have longer to go to their possible release date. It is now possible for a prisoner to move from a high security prison straight to the open estate. In our view this is unfair on such prisoners who struggle to adapt and need a great deal of support. These arrangements need urgent review.
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The prison is failing in its duty to provide a decent fire retardant seating, as referenced in our last report. An alternative seating needs to be found.
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The problem of prisoners being separated from their property during transfer persists. This clearly remains a systemic issue that needs fixing.
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
In our report two years ago we commented on the need to upgrade the IT systems. They are no better. Too much time is wasted waiting for slow systems to respond.
HMPPS
Education
Recommendation 9
To ensure that the new OMiC model of working becomes embedded and its impact is noted in terms of outcomes for prisoners.
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 10
To take steps to reduce the amount of contraband that is brought onto the estate by intruders.
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 11
To re visit the methods used to identify those prisoners who may be at most risk of absconding so as to continue to drive down the number of absconds.
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 12
The staffing detail should be looked at to see how in person and virtual (phone and video) visits can be maintained.
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 13
The diversity and equality action team needs to meet regularly with data being analysed to measure the impact of all areas of the prison’s work and shared with the Board in a timely manner.
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 14
To provide the Board with regular complaints monitoring information.
Governor / Director
Complaints
Other IMB Reports for Thorn Cross
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
2 May 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 3
Activity: 4
Release: 4
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.