Prison
Cat Women's Closed YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Drake Hall
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 4 March 2021
Drake Hall continues to provide a safe and humane environment, with staff and prisoners adapting well to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining good order and low levels of violence. However, long-standing concerns persist regarding the unfit condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, and systemic issues with prisoner property transfers. The pandemic's restricted regime has impacted rehabilitation and purposeful activity, raising concerns about the mental health and resettlement prospects of prisoners, especially those shielding.
Positive Findings
The Board believes HMP Drake Hall provides a safe and secure environment where prisoners are treated decently and humanely, evidenced by a positive HMIP report and low levels of violence and self-harm compared to similar establishments. Staff and prisoners are commended for their hard work and cooperation in adapting to COVID-19 restrictions, successfully maintaining safety. Healthcare needs are generally well met, supported by a positive CQC report and few complaints. The prison is proud of its catering, and staff-prisoner interactions demonstrate high professionalism. Chaplaincy support has been constant and vital during the pandemic, and efforts to celebrate Black History Month were appreciated. Property transfer issues for funds from private prisons have been addressed. The 'healthy hearts' programme and Everest climb challenge were successful initiatives, and the Offender Management Unit's effective use of ROTL and the open unit is noted.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The Board again draws attention to the condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, which are not fit for purpose. Allowing prisoners to live in sub-standard accommodation is detrimental to their physical and mental wellbeing, and the provision of new accommodation is long overdue.
Other
Repeated
The Board has frequently reported on the issues relating to delayed or lost property on transfer to Drake Hall. This remains a significant problem and causes unnecessary distress to prisoners. This is a systemic issue that requires action by the Prison Service.
Mental Health
Repeated
The number of mental healthcare staff has increased, and with it the potential to increase the range of therapeutic interventions available. However, there is a lack of private space available in the prison for the team, and to support such interventions. Only approval for building new accommodation will resolve the situation.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
There has been an increase in the number of prisoners transferred to Drake Hall shortly before their release date. We understand the operational pressures, but this has an impact on prisoners’ ability to benefit from the rehabilitation opportunities available in the prison. These prisoners are unable to participate fully in the educational and employment opportunities available. This has the potential to harm their successful transition from prison.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) system has been introduced in the men’s estate but has not been introduced to women’s prisons. Positive benefits have been reported which need to be rolled out to the women’s estate.
Mental Health
The Board is concerned about the impact of shielding on the long-term wellbeing and rehabilitation prospects of prisoners in the Truro unit.
Mental Health
The Board is interested in how the prison will mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on some prisoners’ mental health.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Prison staff demonstrated hard work and commitment in introducing new ways of working effectively during the pandemic. Staffing levels for healthcare roles are currently satisfactory, with only minor vacancies. The Board's observations suggest a high level of professionalism and consistent, low-confrontation interactions between staff and prisoners. While some complaints about staff behaviour are received, they are investigated, and action is taken. The planned implementation of the OMiC system across the women's estate, including Drake Hall, was put on hold, but the Prison Service introduced welfare checks for all prisoners in its absence.
Healthcare
Healthcare needs are generally well met, as supported by a positive CQC report and low complaint numbers. Services adapted during COVID-19 with a triage system and face-to-face appointments only when necessary. Access to specialists, including psychiatrists, and transfers under the Mental Health Act are managed without long waits. However, the counselling service was withdrawn at the pandemic's outset, and a lack of suitable accommodation limits the full utilisation of an increased mental healthcare team. There are growing concerns about the mental health and long-term progression of shielded prisoners in the Truro unit, as well as the overall impact of the pandemic on mental health.
Regime & Daily Life
The pandemic drastically altered Drake Hall's pre-existing open regime, which saw prisoners out of their houses for most of the day for work and education. Since March 2020, a restricted regime has been in operation, with prisoners confined to their accommodation for approximately 20 hours daily. Work, education, and leisure activities were significantly reduced, impacting the prison's rehabilitation ethos. While prisoners still had access to fresh air for about 3 hours daily and were escorted for meals and appointments, this is a substantial change from the previous environment. A full two-week lockdown was implemented in late April to control a serious COVID-19 outbreak, during which all prisoners were isolated in their houses.
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 4
5 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board again draws attention to the condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, which are not fit for purpose. Allowing prisoners to live in sub-standard accommodation is detrimental to their physical and mental wellbeing, and the provision of new accommodation is long overdue.
Ministry of Justice
Estate
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board has frequently reported on the issues relating to delayed or lost property on transfer to Drake Hall. This remains a significant problem and causes unnecessary distress to prisoners. This is a systemic issue that requires action by the Prison Service.
HMPPS
Other
Response
A process is in place for prisoners arriving from a private prison to access their funds within 24 hours.
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The number of mental healthcare staff has increased, and with it the potential to increase the range of therapeutic interventions available. However, there is a lack of private space available in the prison for the team, and to support such interventions. Only approval for building new accommodation will resolve the situation.
HMPPS
Mental Health
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
There has been an increase in the number of prisoners transferred to Drake Hall shortly before their release date. We understand the operational pressures, but this has an impact on prisoners’ ability to benefit from the rehabilitation opportunities available in the prison. These prisoners are unable to participate fully in the educational and employment opportunities available. This has the potential to harm their successful transition from prison.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) system has been introduced in the men’s estate but has not been introduced to women’s prisons. Positive benefits have been reported which need to be rolled out to the women’s estate.
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 6
The prison should consider how to enhance the use of Purple Visits to ensure that family contact is optimised during the pandemic.
Governor / Director
Family Contact
Recommendation 7
The Board is concerned about the impact of shielding on the long-term wellbeing and rehabilitation prospects of prisoners in the Truro unit.
Governor / Director
Mental Health
Recommendation 8
The Board is interested in how the prison will mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on some prisoners’ mental health.
Governor / Director
Mental Health
Recommendation 9
Drug ingress into the prison appears to have been low during the pandemic, and the Board is interested to see if improvements can be maintained.
Governor / Director
Substance Misuse
Other IMB Reports for Drake Hall
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.