Prison
Cat D open prison
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Leyhill
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 18 May 2021
HMP Leyhill, a Category D open prison, maintained a safe and humane environment despite COVID-19 challenges during the reporting year. The Board commended the prison's response to the pandemic, its healthcare provision, and diverse purposeful activities. Key concerns persist regarding the unfair treatment and delayed resettlement of IPP prisoners and those awaiting approved premises, as well as recurring issues with prisoner property management and the need to restore creative arts programmes.
Positive Findings
HMP Leyhill responded swiftly and positively to implement required protocols during the pandemic, fostering a spirit of inclusivity. Significant investment led to improved shower, toilet, and roof repairs. The prison introduced effective measures like a 40-bed isolation unit, refurbished reception, and a new debt management process which helped reduce drug use. Healthcare received more compliments than complaints, with mental health services offering quick access. Purposeful activity was maintained through outdoor gym equipment, allotments, Koestler Trust awards, and the RECOOP-funded Lobster Pot. The recycling workshop was particularly commended for its enterprising work, reducing waste and developing prisoner skills.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
The treatment of many prisoners subject to IPP regulations continues to be unjust. The Board remains deeply concerned about prisoners who are serving IPP sentences, many of whom have spent far longer in custody than recommended in their indicative tariffs, exemplified by a prisoner serving 14 years for an 11-month tariff.
Resettlement/Release
Unfairness continues to be evident in the shortage of approved premises, which delays prisoners’ release dates and which has been exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, particularly affecting men convicted of sexual offences and those serving life sentences.
Other
Repeated
The recurring problem of property lost or mislaid during transfer from other prisons, which is a source of intense and justifiable prisoner frustration, needs further action from the Prison Service.
Estate/Conditions
The facilities for the storage of prisoners’ property are inadequate, with the storage area often exceeding its capacity due to volumetric amounts greater than allocated allowances on transfer, leading to misplacement or loss.
Education/Purposeful Activity
When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the teaching of the creative arts needs to be reinstated and reinvigorated, as it enhances prisoners’ self-esteem, self-confidence and their chances of living purposeful lives on release.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The personal officer scheme was suspended in March due to COVID-19 restrictions, leading to reduced staff-prisoner interaction and an observed increase in inappropriate behaviour. However, the scheme was reinstated in January, with its value acknowledged. The healthcare department is fully staffed for both physical and mental health. The Governor, senior team members, and staff were cooperative and supportive of the Board's work.
Healthcare
Prisoners have good access to physical and mental healthcare, with waiting times for mental health services (one week) better than in the community. Non-attendance for appointments and a reduced waiting area capacity during lockdown were challenges, but waiting times have improved. The healthcare department is fully staffed, and an effective strategy was implemented when COVID-19 cases were identified. However, bereavement counselling services by Cruse were withdrawn due to financial reasons, leaving the chaplaincy to provide pastoral care only. Prisoner feedback showed more compliments than complaints.
Regime & Daily Life
Leyhill maintained a positive and inclusive regime despite pandemic restrictions, providing numerous opportunities for prisoner involvement. While staff-prisoner interaction was limited initially, the personal officer scheme was reinstated. The kitchen provided appreciated hot lunches and cold evening meals. Prisoners benefited from extensive grounds for exercise and outdoor gym equipment. Group rehabilitation sessions for substance misuse were suspended but replaced with one-to-one support. The prison offered 'soft skills' learning, in-cell activities, and maintained purposeful activity through internal work placements (e.g., DHL, recycling) and the Lobster Pot, compensating for cancelled external work.
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 | 5 | 2 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | 0 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 3 | 5 | |
| Equality | 0 | 1 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | 5 | |
| Food and kitchens | 3 | 1 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 1 | 4 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 1 | 3 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 0 | 0 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 2 | 15 | |
| Property within this establishment | 2 | 8 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 1 | 2 | |
| Sentence management, including home detention curfew, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 3 | 12 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 2 | 1 | |
| Transfers | 0 | 2 |
Recommendations (5)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 1
Governor / Director: 2
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
What further action will the minister take to speed up the resettlement in the community of prisoners serving IPP sentences, many of whom have spent far longer in custody than recommended in their indicative tariffs?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
In the light of the unfairness created when a lack of spaces in approved premises leads to a delay in release on temporary licence (ROTL) and thus the potential timing of release (see section 7.3), a situation now exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, what action will the minister take to remedy this injustice?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
Repeated
What further action is planned to deal with the recurring problem of property lost or mislaid during transfer from other prisons, which is a source of intense and justifiable prisoner frustration?
HMPPS
Other
Recommendation 4
The Board urges the Governor to improve the facilities for the storage of prisoners’ property (see section 5.8).
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 5
The Board urges the Governor, when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, to reinstate and reinvigorate the teaching of the creative arts, which enhances prisoners’ self-esteem, self-confidence and their chances of living purposeful lives on release.
Governor / Director
Education
Other IMB Reports for Leyhill
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
12 Jun 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 1
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.