Prison
Cat B local
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Peterborough (Men)
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 20 August 2020
The IMB at HMP Peterborough (Men) found that prisoners are generally treated fairly and humanely, with a good regime offering an average of 10.5 hours out of cell daily. The prison has an operational capacity of 868 and held 22 IPP prisoners. Positive developments include a decrease in assaults, improved healthcare, and effective resettlement support through initiatives like Outside Links. Key concerns include the persistent issue of lost property, inadequate screening of in-cell toilets, long periods spent in segregation for some individuals, and the difficulty in securing suitable accommodation upon release.
Positive Findings
The Board believes that, overall, prisoners are treated fairly, humanely and with respect. There has been a decrease in assaults on both prisoners and staff, and the prison has good learning and skills provision, focusing on family ties and effective Outside Links service. The Board welcomes the increased emphasis on prisoner safety, gradual improvement in wing appearance, and modifications to the daily regime. Improvements to healthcare practice are ongoing, and the gym is well-resourced and attended. Relationships between staff and prisoners are generally good, and legal rights are respected.
Key Concerns
Other
Repeated
The handling of prisoners’ property continues to be problematic, both within the prison and on transfer.
Estate/Conditions
In-cell toilets are not adequately screened, particularly in shared cells.
Estate/Conditions
Some areas are in need of redecoration and wings are not always clean and tidy.
Segregation
Repeated
Some prisoners are held in the separation and care unit (SCU) for their own interest for long periods while awaiting transfer.
Healthcare
There has been little evidence of health promotion activities.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
There is not always suitable accommodation for prisoners with disabilities.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners on release remains a concern.
Substance Misuse
Repeated
The level of illicit substance availability and use, and its consequences for prisoners’ safety, remains a concern.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) key worker initiative was implemented, with 64% of scheduled interactions reported, though the Board has insufficient evidence to judge its effectiveness. Relationships between staff and prisoners are generally good. The healthcare team recruited permanent staff to replace agency workers. However, the mental health team lacked an on-site psychologist for most of the year and had vacant positions. Social care referrals decreased, possibly because staff are no longer prison-based, leading to staff unawareness of referral processes and delays in vetting care staff.
Healthcare
Improvements to healthcare provision are ongoing, with mental health and social care provision noted as good. A new head of healthcare initiated improvements, including recruiting permanent staff. Healthcare applications remained stable, primarily concerning delayed or incorrect treatment and medication. Secondary screenings are not always completed on schedule, and there is limited health promotion. GP waiting times average 4.6 days, and dentistry 6 weeks. The mental health team experienced psychologist vacancies and high did-not-attend rates for first appointments. There are concerns about the lack of therapeutic activities in the healthcare unit and issues with social care referrals and staff awareness.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison regime is considered good, with prisoners averaging 10.5 hours out of cell daily, exceeding the target. The daily regime has been modified to improve meal timings, which are generally served hot and on time. However, wing cleanliness is variable, and communal areas, particularly stairwells, can be dirty. In-cell toilets, particularly in shared cells, are not adequately screened. Education attendance averaged 77.1%, just below the 80% target, but classes are rarely cancelled. Work in gardens is intermittent, which the Board finds disappointing for prisoner wellbeing.
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 | 28 | 29 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 4 | 3 | |
| E 1 Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 31 | 20 | |
| E 2 Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 17 | 18 | |
| Equality | 8 | 1 | |
| Food and kitchens | 8 | 4 | |
| H 1 Property within this establishment | 69 | 55 | |
| H 2 Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 34 | 23 | |
| H 3 Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 12 | 14 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 86 | 84 | |
| I Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 56 | 43 | |
| J Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 94 | 104 | |
| K Transfers | 22 | 24 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 32 | 24 |
Recommendations (3)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 1
Governor / Director: 1
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
The Board remains concerned about the lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners on release (see paragraph 11.3), as proper resourcing of accommodation could be cost-effective in reducing reoffending.
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
Repeated
The Board is concerned that some prisoners are held in the SCU for their own interest for long periods while awaiting transfer (see paragraph 6.3).
HMPPS
Segregation
Recommendation 3
Repeated
The Board remains concerned at the level of illicit substance availability and use, and its consequences for prisoners’ safety (see paragraph 4.5), but is encouraged that further security measures have been put in place to mitigate this.
Governor / Director
Substance Misuse