Prison
Cat open female
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
East Sutton Park
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 27 January 2021
HMP East Sutton Park maintained a safe and supportive environment for women prisoners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully adapting education and family contact. However, significant concerns remain regarding the insufficient time prisoners have to benefit from resettlement, inconsistent transfers from closed establishments, and pandemic-induced disruptions to sentence planning. Staffing issues in key areas and challenges with dental provision and enabling internet access for distance learning were also highlighted.
Positive Findings
The Board views HMP East Sutton Park as a safe and well-run prison where prisoners generally enjoy good relationships with staff. Healthcare is effective, and the mental health service is fully supportive. Prisoners are well-prepared for release, with most securing accommodation and employment. Positive developments include the refurbishment of flats and new pods for independent living, a disabled bathroom, improved communication regarding ACCT reviews, and increased Governor attendance at Board meetings.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
Prisoners coming to East Sutton Park have insufficient time left to serve to ensure that the greatest benefit in resettlement can be achieved, impacting value for money.
Resettlement/Release
Closed female establishments do not consistently progress women to East Sutton Park who are suitable for the resettlement regime.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Sentence planning boards have been running on a much-reduced basis since the beginning of the pandemic.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The quality of inductions for new prisoners has been patchy, particularly since lockdown due to the reverse cohorting unit.
Safety
A senior member of staff was suspended from the prison and arrested by the police, with investigations ongoing, raising safeguarding concerns.
Estate/Conditions
One or more laundry machines were out of action for protracted periods throughout the year.
Staffing
The kitchen experienced staffing problems during the year, with the long-term absence of two members of staff.
Healthcare
The dental practice terminated its contract with the prison, and a replacement mobile service has not yet materialised, requiring emergency arrangements.
Healthcare
There have been one or two issues with dispensing prescriptions and the time taken for drugs to arrive in the prison due to the delivery process.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Installing WiFi in the prison for distance learning is proving very difficult due to security department restrictions.
Staffing
The butcher position on the farm has not been filled since August, leading to understaffing and impacting farm work and the availability of butchery NVQs.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Social visits have been much curtailed during the COVID-19 crisis, causing difficulties for prisoners, particularly those with children.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The prison experienced staffing problems, particularly in the kitchen due to long-term absences and on the farm and gardens where the butcher position remained unfilled, impacting work and vocational qualifications. Despite this, an efficient personal officer scheme ensures each prisoner receives close support from their allocated officer and back-up.
Healthcare
Healthcare services are available to all prisoners, with a medical assessment within 24 hours of arrival, though the service operates only on weekdays until 4pm. The dental contract was terminated, and while a mobile service is anticipated, it has not yet begun, necessitating emergency treatment arrangements. There have been minor issues with prescription dispensing and delivery times. Mental health services, provided by In-reach, offer regular professional care, support, and timely transfers when necessary, with psychological support generally available via GPs.
Regime & Daily Life
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the regime, halting transfers and reducing prisoner numbers. Meetings were suspended, and the gym was closed for a period, though outdoor activities were introduced. Education shifted to remote delivery and in-cell packs due to national restrictions, with the prison remaining at Stage 3. Social visits were curtailed, but increased use of Facetime and telephone contact helped maintain family links, despite difficulties for prisoners, especially those with children.
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 | 0 | 0 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 0 | 0 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 2 | 2 | — |
| Equality | 0 | 2 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 1 | 0 | |
| Food and kitchens | 0 | 0 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 1 | 2 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 1 | 2 | |
| Miscellaneous, including complaints system | 3 | 2 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 2 | 6 | |
| Property within this establishment | 1 | 0 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 6 | 0 | |
| Sentence management, including home detention curfew, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 2 | 1 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 0 | 4 | |
| Transfers | 0 | 0 |
Recommendations (3)
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 1
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
To urge/direct the Prison Service to continue to ensure that prisoners coming to East Sutton Park have enough time left to serve, in order to ensure that the greatest benefit in resettlement can be achieved, and therefore representing value for money.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
To ensure that closed female establishments progress women to come to East Sutton Park who are suitable for the resettlement regime.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
To continue with the prompt and careful steps taken to combat COVID-19.
Governor / Director
Safety