Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Hewell Grange
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 2 July 2020
This report covers the final six months of HMP Hewell Grange as it underwent a planned closure, ceasing to hold prisoners by 31 March 2020. The Board found the prison generally safe and praised staff for their humane management of the closure, despite unacceptable living conditions. Healthcare provision was inconsistent, and purposeful activity was curtailed due to the closure, though efforts were made to minimise negative impacts on resettlement.
Positive Findings
The Board found Hewell Grange to be a safe environment, with prisoners treated with a high level of fairness and humanity during the closure process. Leadership and staff are commended for managing expectations and fostering a sense of community, resulting in a remarkably uneventful closure. The Board was impressed by the meticulous clearance of the building by prisoners and HMPPS staff.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Living conditions at Hewell Grange were described as the worst seen in its type of establishment, with the physical building continuing to deteriorate due to minimal maintenance, and prisoners held in substandard accommodation, including issues with rodents.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Extraordinarily for an open prison, Hewell Grange was found to be poor in both purposeful activity and rehabilitation and release planning prior to its closure.
Healthcare
The provision of healthcare was patchy, frequently adequate but not reliably so, with pharmacy and dentistry services proving particularly inconsistent and problematic, leading to negative impacts for prisoners.
Mental Health
There was no specific mental healthcare provided, despite evident anxiety among some residents during the unsettling closure process.
Equality/Diversity
The specific characteristics of the prisoner population were not adequately reflected in discussions, with distinct needs of minority groups often only met individually on request.
Equality/Diversity
Facilities for disabled prisoners were generally limited, and access throughout Hewell Grange remained a significant difficulty for individuals with mobility problems.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The education department ceased providing courses by the end of 2019, impacting the continuation of learning for prisoners who were transferred to other establishments before completing their courses.
Resettlement/Release
The lack of any other male category D establishment within a radius of 60 miles by road following Hewell Grange's closure inevitably had serious implications for prisoners’ contact with their families.
Board Commentary
Staffing
During the closure, relationships between staff and prisoners were critically important. The Governor's deputy oversaw the process, promoting frank communication and establishing a weekly forum. Staff were consistently observed to be good-humoured and supportive, successfully managing individual expectations and fostering a sense of community amidst unsettling circumstances.
Healthcare
The provision of healthcare was found to be patchy, frequently adequate but not reliably so. Primary care clinics were not always held as scheduled, and pharmacy and dentistry services were particularly inconsistent and problematic. There was no specific mental healthcare provided, though prison staff addressed prisoner anxieties through individual discussions.
Regime & Daily Life
Living conditions remained unacceptable throughout the reporting period, with no fundamental repairs made to continuous problems with toilets and showers. However, as the population fell, pressure on facilities lessened. Education and vocational training opportunities, including the farm and community work, were downsized and ceased towards the end of the closure period, though visits and telephone access continued.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of applications | 0 | 6 |
Recommendations (4)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 1
Recommendation 1
The Board hopes that the Minister is able to find an appropriate way to formally recognise the achievement of management and staff at HMP Hewell in creating a community that worked together to make the closure of Hewell Grange the best it could possibly be.
Ministry of Justice
Staffing
Recommendation 2
The Board believes that, following the closure of Hewell Grange, additional male category D places should be made available within the West Midlands region.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
The closure process adopted at Hewell Grange should be utilised as a case study for senior management development.
HMPPS
Management
Recommendation 4
Management and staff involved in the closure of Hewell Grange should be made aware of the positive view of the closure developed by IMB members.
Governor / Director
Staffing
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.
Prevention of Future Deaths Reports
Coroner PFD reports issued to this establishment.