Prison
Cat training
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
The Verne
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 25 February 2021
HMP The Verne is praised as a very safe training prison for MCOSO prisoners, maintaining high standards in staff-prisoner relationships and overall humane treatment, successfully remaining COVID-19 free. Key concerns include the lack of 24-hour social care for its growing elderly and frail population, and inadequate resettlement provision for prisoners released directly into the community. Issues with gym facilities and education provision due to COVID-19 also presented challenges during the reporting period.
Positive Findings
The Verne is described as very safe with rare instances of violence and a prevailing ethos of mutual respect between staff and prisoners. Staff-prisoner relationships are among the best observed by HMIP. The Governor and his colleagues are commended for establishing a regime where prisoners feel safe and respected, engaging in purposeful activities. Food is consistently of a high standard, and the prison effectively monitors and addresses the needs of all communities. The prison successfully remained COVID-19 free during the reporting period, and the Listener service was active and well-used.
Key Concerns
Healthcare
The lack of 24-hour provision for a small but growing number of frail, elderly prisoners who need regular personal care is a concern for humane treatment, and the Board believes there should be an appropriately staffed ‘care’ unit established to accommodate this group.
Resettlement/Release
The resettlement provision for prisoners released directly into the community is not considered satisfactory due to the shortage of category D places and the lack of appropriate funding for a resettlement programme.
Estate/Conditions
Significant problems with the gym, including leaks in the changing room roof and a buckled sports hall floor that is inadequate for use, require a permanent solution.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Weston College's withdrawal of education services due to COVID-19 caused resentment among prisoners and requires facilitating their return to direct teaching.
Estate/Conditions
The prisoner and visitor lifts and stairlifts are out of use, and the lack of handrails makes visits difficult for those with mobility problems; this has not yet been addressed.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staff-prisoner relationships are highlighted as exemplary by HMIP. The key worker scheme was operating effectively until COVID-19 restrictions reduced its functionality due to limited movement between wings. There were instances of officer shortage leading to gym staff being deployed elsewhere, which reduced gym availability.
Healthcare
The prison successfully remained COVID-19 free throughout the reporting period despite the challenges of COVID-19. Emergency and essential GP and nurse treatments continued during lockdown, with routine appointments resuming with limited capacity. There is an increasing number of elderly prisoners with health issues requiring hospital appointments. Discussions are underway for a 'community hospital' within The Verne to perform certain clinical procedures. The dentist operated a remote triage system, and healthcare staff ensured medication delivery during lockdown. Mental healthcare is provided by a dedicated team, and the Listener service was well-used for anxiety support. A significant concern is the lack of 24-hour social care provision for frail, elderly prisoners, with the social care agreement with the local authority not yet signed.
Regime & Daily Life
During lockdown, prisoners were confined to their landings, allowed out only for meals and one hour of daily exercise. Elderly and frail prisoners were offered two hours of exercise but were often reluctant due to COVID-19 fears. Access to telephone calls was increased to support family anxiety. The gym experienced problems with leaks and a buckled floor, impacting attendance. Weston College withdrew education services during lockdown, causing prisoner resentment. Only a skeleton workforce was employed in essential positions during lockdown, with 40% of prisoners actively employed in May. All family visits were stopped during lockdown and only recently restarted, with reluctance from some prisoners to request visits.
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 | 11 | 2 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 1 | 0 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives and earned privileges, sanctions | 3 | 5 | |
| Equality | 0 | 1 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 4 | 2 | |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 3 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 8 | 4 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 6 | 13 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 7 | 5 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 6 | 9 | |
| Property within this establishment | 4 | 6 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 4 | 2 | |
| Sentence management, including home detention curfew, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 8 | 6 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 1 | 1 | — |
| Transfers | 2 | 4 |
Recommendations (4)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 1
Recommendation 1
The Board invites the minister to allocate appropriate funding for the 24-hour social care facility described in paragraph 6.3.2.
Ministry of Justice
Healthcare
Recommendation 2
The Board urges HMPPS to expedite the establishment of the ‘community hospital’ described in paragraph 6.1.4.
HMPPS
Healthcare
Recommendation 3
If it is necessary to discharge residents from The Verne directly into the community, then appropriate funding for a resettlement programme should be made available.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
The Board encourages the Governor, in collaboration with Dorset Council, to review the long-term provision of social care needs for the current population.
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Other IMB Reports for The Verne
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
8 Jul 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 3
Activity: 2
Release: 2
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.