Humber

The Board has grave concerns about the potential for long-term damage to the prisoners as a result of the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The loss and mismanagement of prisoners’ property, both within the prison and during prison transfers, continues to be the biggest single cause of complaints to the IMB and was raised in the 2019 report, demonstrating the current approach is too slow and detached.

The slow pace of recovery set out by national guidance from HMPPS has hindered the prison’s ability to progress, demonstrating a need for a higher degree of dynamism and autonomy as one size does not fit all.

A substantial number of applications received by the IMB relate to complaints within the prison process not being satisfactorily concluded, without encumbrance.

The number of Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) submissions not responded to within the stipulated 10 days (50% in 2020) is a significant concern that predates the COVID-19 pandemic, despite explanations given by the healthcare provider.

Complaint forms are not always readily available on all wings, and secure boxes for complaints are emptied at night by uniformed staff, which is not good practice as it can potentially undermine prisoner confidence in the system.

Allegations about staff behaviour are not taken seriously, and prisoners either get no reply or one they regard as inadequate, leading to fears of reprisals, with the quality assurance process for complaints not being robust.

The exceptionally high mental health caseload (300 prisoners in November 2020) and the staff's serious concerns that long periods of cell confinement would negatively affect patients' wellbeing, causing boredom, low mood, and sleep inversion.

The accumulation of an extensive waiting list for routine dental appointments, resulting in waits of up to six months, with only emergency services maintained during the COVID-19 regime.

Approximately 300 prisoners were awaiting initial assessment by Novus in August to establish suitability for work or education, and the Board was disappointed that the Prison Service did not put pressure on suppliers to be more effective.

Recommendation 1

The Board has grave concerns about the potential for long-term damage to the prisoners. We are keen to hear from the minister about the proposals he has to address this, as restrictions are removed.

Ministry of Justice Regime

Recommendation 2 Repeated Prev. unaddressed

The loss of prisoners’ property, both within the prison and during prison transfers, is still happening on a regular basis. It continues to be the biggest single cause of complaints to the IMB and was raised in our 2019 report. It causes stress to the individuals affected and also significant additional work for the prison staff, together with unnecessary costs to the tax payer. In the minister’s response of 3 September 2020 to Dame Anne Owers’ national annual report for 2019/20, Lucy Frazer QC MP refers to the drafting of a new policy framework to replace Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 2011/12. This initiative was started in 2019, and is still not showing any benefits, in terms of addressing the relatively simple challenge of not losing prisoners’ property. The Board believes that the current level of property losses and mismanagement is wholly unacceptable, especially with the limited movement and transfers of prisoners from one establishment to another. The current approach is too slow and detached. It needs a more engaged approach to understand and address urgently the practical reasons for this chronic problem.

Ministry of Justice Administration

Recommendation 3

The national leadership of the Prison Service has, in the opinion of the Board, hindered the ability of the prison to progress with the recovery process. They have been frustrated at the slow pace of recovery set out by national guidance from HMPPS, which has allowed little, if any room, for autonomy. The Board is of the opinion, in relation to the conditions required to operate the different stages of recovery, that one size does not fit all, and that a higher degree of dynamism needs to be demonstrated.

HMPPS Regime

Recommendation 4

Complaints within the prison: we are of the opinion that a substantial number of applications that we receive is in relation to ‘complaints within the prison process’, and, as such, should be satisfactorily concluded within that process and without encumbrance.

Governor / Director Complaints

Recommendation 5 Repeated

The number of Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) submissions which are not responded to within the stipulated 10 days is of concern to the Board. There was a total of 530 PALS submissions in 2020, 264 (50%) of which were not replied to within the specified timescale. Following a freedom of information (FOI) request, the healthcare provider - CHCP have explained this as being a result of COVID-19 and prioritisation. However, this is a problem which has been mentioned to the Board by prisoners since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor / Director Healthcare