Wetherby

The acute shortage of secure mental health hospital beds available to meet the needs of the complex YP who are in urgent need of such support, and for whom prison is clearly not the correct place. Many YP wait indefinitely for suitable secure hospital provision.

Increasing numbers of YP are charged with violent offences and are placed in custody, either sentenced or on remand. There is a need to reduce the levels of violence among YP at a national level.

Lengthy delays for YP on remand before their case came to trial. The situation is worse due to COVID-19, and a large proportion of those YP are acquitted.

The growing number of YP who are being transferred to Wetherby main site from STCs and YOIs at some considerable distance from their home (35 YP in a five-month period), contrary to best practice as it hinders family links and professional support networks.

YP already held at Wetherby who are aged 18+ experience lengthy delays while waiting to transfer to the adult estate.

An increase in the number of restricted status (RS) YP at Wetherby, with provision almost at capacity.

The unacceptable lack of daily exercise for YP and insufficient time out of cell, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when YP remained locked up for 23 hours a day.

Inconsistent delivery and prioritisation of Custody Support Plan (CuSP) sessions, which can only be of benefit if delivered with consistency.

Misapplication of Managing and Minimising Physical Restraint (MMPR) techniques during incidents, suggesting an urgent need for further training, particularly for inexperienced officers.

Failure to use Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) appropriately, with too many staff not wearing them or not turning them on, meaning insufficient incidents are recorded, which compromises safeguards for staff and YP.

A significant increase in acts of self-harm, more so on the main site than on the Keppel unit.

Unacceptable late arrivals of YP to reception, often after 7pm and sometimes as late as 3am, which exacerbates vulnerability and poses risks during processing by tired staff.

The continued use of untrained staff in reception, and operational shortfalls which remain problematic, especially when staff take leave.

Long waiting times for non-urgent dental appointments, typically around six to eight weeks.

High vacancy rates in healthcare staffing (44% for primary care nursing, 55% for CAMHS nursing), leading to difficulties in recruitment and retention and reliance on agency staff.

The drug misuse strategy lacking quarterly meetings, suggesting that the strategic management of substance misuse may be overlooked.

Recommendation 1 Repeated

For the fifth consecutive year, the Board asks in its annual report what, if anything, is being done to increase the number of secure mental health hospital beds available to meet the needs of the complex YP who are in urgent need of such support, and for whom prison is clearly not the correct place? What is being done to increase the provision of secure mental health hospital beds for YP? This must now be treated as a priority.

Ministry of Justice Mental Health

Recommendation 1

The Board is concerned about the growing number of YP who are being transferred to Wetherby main site from STCs and YOIs, at some considerable distance from their home. Thirty-five such YP arrived in a five-month period. This seems to be contrary to best practice. It is well documented that outcomes for YP are improved when they are able to maintain good links with their family and the external professionals involved in their care. Wetherby has the capacity, but this should not be used as an excuse to move YP, particularly when those YP are moved for reasons of discipline and security. Many of them present with challenging behaviour and require a high level of support. What is the reason for this and will it continue?

HMPPS Resettlement

Recommendation 1 Repeated

The Board has always regarded the lack of daily exercise for YP as unacceptable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, exercise was offered daily, albeit for 30 minutes. What reassurance can be given to the Board that this will now, as a minimum, become standard practice?

Governor / Director Regime

Recommendation 2

Increasing numbers of YP are charged with violent offences and are placed in custody, either sentenced or on remand. What is being done at a national level to reduce the levels of violence among YP?

Ministry of Justice Safety

Recommendation 2

YP already held at Wetherby who are aged 18+ experience lengthy delays while waiting to transfer to the adult estate. Some improvement in the speed with which these YP were being transferred was seen during the latter stages of our reporting year, as a result of COVID-19. The Board wonders if this improvement will continue. It is unreasonable for YP to have to endure a lengthy wait while negotiations take place between establishments. These are frequently complex and challenging YP, many facing long sentences. The heightened anxiety created by endless delays does little to help their behaviour. Can the Prison Service reassure the Board that negotiations between establishments and subsequent transfers will take place expeditiously?

HMPPS Resettlement

Recommendation 2

The Board welcomes the implementation of the custody support plan (CuSP) but considers that it can only be of benefit if delivered with consistency. Is the establishment committed to ensuring that CuSP sessions are dealt with as a priority?

Governor / Director Regime

Recommendation 3

Prior to COVID-19, an increasing number of YP remained in custody on remand, experiencing lengthy delays before their case came to trial. A large proportion of those YP are acquitted. Inevitably, the situation now is worse. What can be done to accelerate the legal process for those YP on remand?

Ministry of Justice Regime

Recommendation 3

We have noticed an increase in the number of restricted status (RS) YP at Wetherby. At times, the provision is almost at capacity. Is there a plan to increase this provision, either at Wetherby or elsewhere in the YOI estate?

HMPPS Overcrowding