Prison
Cat D open
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Leyhill
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 2 June 2020
HMP Leyhill, a Category D open prison, has demonstrated strong performance driven by a new community-focused dynamic, leading to improvements in facilities and resident engagement. However, the Board highlights persistent issues including significant delays in ablution refurbishment, the slow progression of IPP sentences, and insufficient approved premises hindering Release on Temporary Licence. Concerns also remain regarding night-time staffing levels and the recurring problem of lost prisoner property during transfers.
Positive Findings
HMP Leyhill displayed a new dynamic based on an all-embracing concept of community, leading to impressive performance. Fairness and humane values pervade most of prison life, including adjudications, ACCT reviews, and provision for the disabled. The Board is pleased with the new ramped access to Ash Unit for disabled prisoners, the increased acceptance of creative arts, and a significant reduction in fire risk. Visiting facilities are described as outstanding, and healthcare provision is considered at least as good as in the wider community, appropriately geared towards resettlement.
Key Concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The work on refurbishment of the ablutions in the residential units still has not been started, despite the need being recognised since 2016 and having, in some aspects, intensified. As this situation is inconsistent with the decent treatment of prisoners and thus not supportive of rehabilitation.
Resettlement/Release
The unfairness (and potential for discouragement) created when a lack of spaces in approved premises leads to delay in release on temporary licence (ROTL) and thus the potential timing of release.
Other
Repeated
The treatment of many prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP), where it is hard to see the actual punishment as proportionate when the offender is still in custody many years later, especially when a judge has indicated a low tariff.
Staffing
Repeated
The present unsatisfactory level of night-time staffing, which requires a thorough review to ensure that all on-call staff are close enough to provide a fast and effective response in acute circumstances.
Other
Repeated
Given the increase, from an already high figure, in property lost prior to arrival at Leyhill and the unsettling effect this can have during a key period in prisoners’ preparation for release.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The Board reports ongoing concern about unsatisfactory night-time staffing levels, which require a thorough review to ensure on-call staff can provide a fast and effective response in acute circumstances. There was an incident where staff response time was a concern. Conversely, Board members routinely observed staff engaging informally and appropriately with prisoners on residential units, demonstrating concern for their well-being and a willingness to participate in leisure activities, fostering a sense of community.
Healthcare
After an initial rise due to a GP session reduction, GP waiting times reverted to normal, and dental waiting times significantly reduced to an average of seven weeks. The prison effectively caters to an older population with higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity through specialized clinics and referrals to the gym. Mental health and substance misuse triage waiting times are seven days or less. Healthcare provision is assessed as being at least as good as in the community, with a strong emphasis on prisoner self-help and responsibility.
Regime & Daily Life
HMP Leyhill has fostered a strong sense of community, with redecorated accommodation blocks, new signage, and recreation areas enhancing the environment. The prison's decision to refer to prisoners as 'residents' further emphasizes this approach. Despite overall improvements in ROTL grants and ROR numbers, significant delays persist in Release on Temporary Licence due to a lack of spaces in approved premises, particularly affecting prisoners with sexual offence convictions or complex backgrounds. Organisational issues and lost paperwork also contribute to these delays.
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 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 0 | 0 | |
| Discipline including adjudications, IEP, sanctions | 5 | 17 | |
| Equality | 1 | 1 | — |
| Finance including pay, private monies, spends | 5 | 6 | |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 4 | |
| Health including physical, mental, social care | 4 | 5 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 3 | 9 | |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 15 | 12 | |
| Property within this establishment | 8 | 5 | |
| Purposeful activity including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 2 | 5 | |
| Sentence management including home detention curfew, ROTL, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 12 | 20 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns including bullying | 1 | 9 | |
| Transfers | 2 | 2 | — |
Recommendations (5)
Ministry of Justice: 3
HMPPS: 2
4 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
The work on refurbishment of the ablutions in the residential units still has not been started, despite the need being recognised since 2016 (see paragraph 7.2) and having, in some aspects, intensified (see paragraph 7.5). As this situation is inconsistent with the decent treatment of prisoners and thus not supportive of rehabilitation (see paragraphs 7.2 and 7.5), what assurance can the minister give that funds will be made available to remedy the situation forthwith?
Ministry of Justice
Estate
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
For the reasons set out in the body of the Report (see paragraph 5.1) and in last year’s Report , what further consideration will the minister give to possible ways of swifter progression to conclusion of the majority of IPP sentences?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
In view of the unfairness (and potential for discouragement) created when a lack of spaces in approved premises leads to delay in release on temporary licence (ROTL) and thus the potential timing of release (see paragraph 11.1), what action will the minister take to remedy this situation as a matter of urgency?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
In view of the present unsatisfactory level of night-time staffing (see paragraph 7.13), will the Prison Service ensure that a thorough review is carried out, bearing in mind both present conditions and any future plans for the prison, to ensure that all on-call staff are close enough to provide a fast and effective response in acute circumstances.
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Given the increase, from an already high figure, in property lost prior to arrival at Leyhill (Section D, Code H2) and the unsettling effect this can have during a key period in prisoners’ preparation for release, what further action is planned to deal with this recurring problem?
HMPPS
Other
Other IMB Reports for Leyhill
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
12 Jun 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 1
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.