Prison
Cat B
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Durham
IMB Annual Report 2024 · Published 10 April 2025
HMP Durham, a Category B reception and resettlement prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year ending October 2024. The prison, operating at 98.9% of its operational capacity with 974 prisoners, saw a concerning decline in safety, marked by substantial increases in self-harm (34%), assaults (52%), and use of force (76%). Overcrowding and a deteriorating estate were persistent issues, alongside critical failures in healthcare provision, an inconsistent regime, and poor engagement in education, leading to an overall reduction in prisoners feeling safe.
Positive Findings
The Board commended the chaplaincy team for excellent faith and pastoral support and noted increasing links with external employers. Refreshments were available in the visits' hall, and the early days in custody worker and family support worker were highlighted as a positive force. Additionally, the Samaritans' postvention was effectively implemented after deaths in custody, and clinical and non-clinical DART members were observed working collaboratively to reduce harm from illicit substances. Improvements were also noted in CSU and I wing not being placed in patrol state and in healthcare screening on arrival.
Key Concerns
Healthcare
14% of arrivals in Durham did not receive their first night healthcare assessment.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Prisoners failing the scanner in reception are taken to the segregation unit (also known as the care and separation unit, or CSU) under the Secreted Items Policy (SIP). These prisoners have complained that they do not receive a first night induction. The Board considers that this process needs to be more robust.
Safety
Self-harm incidents have increased by 34%, from 596 last year to 798 this year.
Safety
Repeated
The prison was a cluster death site (CDS) at the beginning of the reporting period, ceased to be so in January 2024, then became a CDS again in July.
Safety
Repeated
The Board continues to monitor the completion of the assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) documents, which are used to support prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide. This year, there were omissions in 78% of those monitored, in contrast to 63% last year.
Safety
The results of our prisoner survey found that 80% of prisoners who responded said they feel safe in Durham compared with 92% in the previous reporting year.
Safety
Combined prisoner-on-prisoner and prisoner-on-staff assaults increased year on year by 52%.
Safety
The number of use of force incidents has shown an increase of 76%, from 500 to 882 in the reporting year.
Substance Misuse
Finds of illicit items were 33% higher than in the previous reporting year and drug finds were 50.5% higher.
Substance Misuse
The preponderance of psychoactive substances, commonly called, ‘Spice’, along with prisoners manufacturing drugs using everyday items such as shower-gel and toothpaste, is of concern to the Board.
Overcrowding
Repeated
The prison continues to be overcrowded, and the internal fabric is unsatisfactory.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
At the inaugural decency meeting in April 2024, the prison confirmed that it was not compliant with the HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) National Standard for Cleanliness and Physical Decency of Prisons (October 2020).
Segregation
In the Board’s view, the Head of Residence’s monitoring of the CSU needs to improve
Segregation
The attendance of a healthcare professional at good order or discipline (GOoD) reviews (where it is determined if a prisoner should remain segregated) needs to improve, in the Board’s view.
Staffing
Repeated
The prison needs to improve its delivery of key working, which is an important aspect of staff and prisoner relationships.
Healthcare
Repeated
In the Board’s opinion, delivery of secondary health screening within seven days of admission needs to improve.
Healthcare
Repeated
The prison has failed to identify and correct the root causes of the high ‘did not attend’ (DNA) figures for healthcare appointments.
Healthcare
Repeated
Cooperation between the healthcare and operational regimes needs to improve.
Mental Health
Throughout the year, the mental health team has reported poor availability of meeting rooms on the wings for private one-to-one, as well as, group meetings.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
There has been no significant improvement in time out of cell or structured on-wing activities, despite the publication of a new core day, which theoretically would give increased time out of cell. The prison itself was non-compliant by virtue of the fact that it did not sustainably deliver the new regimes.
Education/Purposeful Activity
In the Board’s view, there was a lack cohesion in educational provision throughout the year.
Education/Purposeful Activity
There was poor attendance of prisoners at education classes.
Education/Purposeful Activity
There was a lack of motivation of non-mandated remand prisoners to engage in education or work.
Resettlement/Release
The Board is concerned about issues with the social visits’ booking phone line and, in particular, the problems with booking in children over the age of 10.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The number of unplanned releases since 1 November 2023 has increased year on year and in the reporting year HMP Durham had 1170 unplanned releases.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The Board is concerned about the poor availability of accommodation for prisoner when they are released.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
What investment do you intend to make within a reasonable time scale to improve prison experience for disabled prisoners?
Estate/Conditions
What investment does the Prison Service intend to make to replace temporary and failing boilers so that prisoners are guaranteed heat and hot water when required?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
How will you ensure that prisoners are offered the minimum kit they are entitled to?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
How will you ensure that staff fully understand the eligibility and process for clothing parcels to be handed in/delivered to the prison so that consistent guidance is given to prisoners?
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing issues persisted, particularly with the key worker scheme, which the Board noted needed significant improvement and guaranteed time investment for staff. Vetting delays for new staff have largely resolved, but overall staffing levels for contractors remain a concern due to unclear reporting. The Listener scheme also struggled with retention, ending the year with only four in post, while the Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) unit experienced ongoing staffing challenges impacting its regime and support groups.
Healthcare
The Board raised significant concerns regarding healthcare provision, noting that 14% of new arrivals missed their first-night healthcare screening and secondary health screening within seven days needed improvement. High "did not attend" (DNA) rates for appointments persisted, and cooperation between healthcare and operational regimes was insufficient. The mental health team faced challenges with inadequate meeting room availability, and a substantial number of prisoners (31%) involved in Use of Force incidents were not seen by a healthcare professional.
Regime & Daily Life
The prison failed to sustainably deliver its new core day, leading to no significant improvement in time out of cell or structured activities. Overcrowding remained a major concern, with 90% of cells designed for single occupancy now housing two prisoners, resulting in unhygienic conditions and a lack of dignity. The internal fabric of A wing was particularly poor, suffering from damp, mould, and water ingress, with refurbishment stalled due to contractor issues. Additionally, the provision of hot water and heating was a persistent problem throughout the year.
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 transfers) | 45 | 38 | |
| Chaplaincy | 0 | 0 | |
| Discipline | 28 | 22 | |
| Discrimination | 30 | 21 | |
| Education | 8 | 13 | |
| Food | 14 | 21 | |
| General | 38 | 39 | |
| Healthcare | 29 | 22 | |
| IPP | 3 | 5 | |
| Legal | 11 | 11 | — |
| Others | 153 | 94 | |
| Parole/Release | 0 | 1 | |
| Property | 44 | 61 | |
| Regime | 43 | 47 | |
| Safety | 27 | 16 | |
| Staff conduct | 20 | 27 | |
| TOTAL | 536 | 494 | |
| Visits | 15 | 16 | |
| Work/Pay/Employment | 9 | 13 |
Recommendations (11)
Other: 2
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 6
9 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Yet again, the Board has raised concerns about the levels of overcrowding and its impact on the dignity of prisoners. Yet again, we have received answers offering no hope of improvement. When will the Minister this issue actually resolve this issue?
Other
(minister)
Overcrowding
Response
A generic response, assuring the Board that accommodation is closely monitored by the PGD [prison group directors] to be of sufficient size and condition. The status quo remains.
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. addressed
Could the Minister let the Board know how many additional Tier 2 (CAS2) and Tier 3 (CAS3) bed spaces are planned for the northeast and Cumbria in 2025?
Other
(minister)
Resettlement
Response
A generic response, giving details of Tier 2 (CAS2) and Tier 3 (CAS3) accommodation.
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Last year we asked, ‘What plans does the Prison Service have to improve the number of accessible cells for ageing or disabled prisoners?’ What investment do you intend to make within a reasonable time scale to improve prison experience for disabled prisoners?
HMPPS
Equality
Response
A review has been conducted for cell reclamation. These areas, which were previously cells, could be put back into use as cells, with the aim to make them accessible cells. The project is still in the feasibility stage, reviewing how many this could be and whether it is achievable and makes economic sense.
Recommendation 4
What investment does the Prison Service intend to make to replace temporary and failing boilers so that prisoners are guaranteed heat and hot water when required?
HMPPS
Estate
Recommendation 5
Repeated
The prison was, again, designated as a cluster death site in July. What urgent steps will the Prison Service take to prevent deaths in custody?
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 6
Repeated
What are the Governor’s plans to reduce violence, self-harm and assaults in the prison?
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
How will you ensure that prisoners are offered the minimum kit they are entitled to?
Governor / Director
Regime
Response
We now have a monthly decency walk that all managers participate in to ensure standards are being met and, when not, we address the issue. Now a decency meeting is in place to ensure that we meet the minimum standards of providing the right kit and cell contents for all prisoners. Cell marshals will be introduced to ensure cells are clean and fit for purpose before a prisoner moves into the cell. The E wing custody manager (CM) will ensure that kit packs are in place for all new prisoners to ensure they receive the right clothing and bedding on their first night in custody. A new painting party is starting on E wing to bring the standard of cells up and ensure they are clean and decent.
Recommendation 8
Repeated
How will you ensure the alignment of operational and healthcare regimes?
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What does the Governor intend to do to make sure that the key worker scheme is meaningful to prisoners, with a guaranteed time investment for staff so that key working becomes high profile and relevant?
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 10
What does the Governor intend to do to secure a consistent and coherent approach to diversity across the prison?
Governor / Director
Equality
Recommendation 11
Repeated
How will you ensure that staff fully understand the eligibility and process for clothing parcels to be handed in/delivered to the prison so that consistent guidance is given to prisoners?
Governor / Director
Regime
Other IMB Reports for Durham
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
30 Apr 2024
Unannounced
Safety: 2
Respect: 2
Activity: 1
Release: 3
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.