Prison
Cat C
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Bure
IMB Annual Report 2024 · Published 17 December 2024
HMP Bure is a Category C prison for men convicted of sexual offenses, housing 641 prisoners with an operational capacity of 643. The IMB found it to be a generally calm and safe environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and well-supported elderly prisoners. Key concerns include the lack of work and purposeful activity opportunities for the current population, the need for IPP re-sentencing, and insufficient funding for resettlement services. The Board also noted an increase in self-harm incidents and issues with archaic adjudication recording.
Positive Findings
HMP Bure continues to generally remain a calm and safe environment for both prisoners and staff, with low levels of violence and strong adherence to safety and security protocols. Prisoners are well-supported, encouraged to behave well, and benefit from effective key work and access to outdoor activities, with a priority on rehabilitation. Staff and prisoner relationships are good, with elderly and disabled prisoners on Unit 7 receiving excellent support.
Healthcare provision is consistently good with a well-led, fully staffed team, and the IMB commends Practice Plus for achieving a Gold Standards Framework award for palliative care. The prison has also prioritised staff development and welfare, with numerous activities supporting this goal. Resettlement services are developing, with a Prison Employment Lead working to establish links with employers for post-release work opportunities.
Key Concerns
Other
Repeated
When will the Minister consider the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners, many of whom have been in prison far beyond their original tariff? We consider that the responses to the Justice Committee’s report, from the previous government, on the treatment of IPP prisoners was disgraceful. However, we note that the current justice minister has reversed some, but not all, of the decisions. Would the current minister now consider a full resentencing exercise for the remaining IPP Prisoners?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board again asks when will the Minister consider the introduction of a national minimum wage for prisoners? The rates of pay vary considerably between prisons, yet prisoners nationally must pay the same for canteen and catalogue items. Prisoners are obviously not able to leave employment to move to a higher paid job.
Overcrowding
Repeated
As per our last report, the Board understands that there has been an increase in the prison population nationally. Consequently, if there is to be an increase in prisoner numbers at HMP Bure above the agreed number of 641, then provision must also be made for more work for prisoners. There are not enough work opportunities for the existing number of prisoners. We are also acutely aware that there are not enough activity places at HMP Bure. Fewer than 66% of working age prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity and some prisoners say they are bored. Also, if the numbers are to increase, the existing recreational space and garden areas need to be maintained, so consideration should be given to extending the existing fencing. There is also a need to improve the regime for older and younger prisoners. How will the Prison Service address these issues?
Resettlement/Release
The Board is concerned that the prison is carrying out a resettlement function but does not receive the additional funding for a prison employment lead, available in designated resettlement prisons. How will the Prison Service resolve this inequality?
Safety
The prison lacks CCTV, resulting in some prisoners feeling unsafe. Can consideration be made for funding to be made available to resolve this issue?
Other
Members of the Board attend adjudications regularly. However, the current procedure of the Governor recording everything in longhand takes a considerable amount of time and is positively archaic in the 21st century. This method of recording has two disadvantages: the Governor has little time to observe the prisoner and his reactions, as he is having to focus on writing notes; and an opportunity for better communication is lost. In the Board’s view, the solution is to record everything audio/visually. This improvement should not have significant cost implications and, in the Board’s opinion, needs to be undertaken as soon as possible.
Safety
The Board has noticed an increase in self-harm and this needs to be investigated by the prison.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Repeated
The Board remains concerned that education and workshop classes are underused, due to conflicting healthcare appointments and activities.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
From time to time, prisoners do not seem to understand that the approach to various items of property, mostly Xboxes, may vary from establishment to establishment. Will the Governor make it clear on reception that there are no local rules and that they are following national instructions?
Board Commentary
Staffing
The key worker scheme has improved, but staff shortages and emergency escort duties can cause disruptions. Staff development, support, and welfare are prison priorities, with regular sessions, a weekly bulletin highlighting achievements, and 'Expresso Yourself' meetings for staff input. The healthcare team is fully staffed with low turnover, while the Offender Management Unit has faced vacancies, increasing staff workload, mitigated by seconded co-prison offender managers.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision at HMP Bure is generally good, with a well-led and fully staffed team offering services comparable to the community, including six GP sessions and four dentist sessions weekly, with GP appointments available within a week. However, there is no formal medical care on-site overnight, requiring reliance on 111, which is a concern given the elderly population. The mental health team is fully staffed, providing comprehensive screening and follow-up care. The IMB commended Practice Plus for achieving the Gold Standards Framework award for palliative care.
Regime & Daily Life
Prisoners generally experience ten hours out of cell on weekdays, with evening association and increased garden access. However, a significant concern is the insufficient number of work and activity places, with fewer than 66% of working-age prisoners engaged in purposeful activity, leading to boredom. The gymnasium is well-utilised, offering varied activities. Education and workshop classes are underused due to conflicting healthcare appointments and activities, highlighting a need for better scheduling to maximise purposeful engagement.
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 | 15 | 23 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 8 | 5 | |
| E1 Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 35 | 6 | |
| E2 Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 10 | 7 | |
| Equality | 14 | 0 | |
| F Food and kitchens | 3 | 2 | |
| G Health, including physical, mental, social care | 7 | 7 | — |
| H1 Property within the establishment | 9 | 11 | |
| H2 Property during transfer or in another facility | 26 | 14 | |
| H3 Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 1 | 4 | |
| I Sentence management, including HDC (home detention curfew), ROTL (release on temporary licence), parole, release dates, recategorisation | 13 | 10 | |
| J Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 11 | 6 | |
| K Transfers | 12 | 9 | |
| L Miscellaneous | 5 | 0 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 4 | 5 |
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 3
4 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As in our last report, we ask, once again, when will the Minister consider the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners, many of whom have been in prison far beyond their original tariff? We consider that the responses to the Justice Committee’s report, from the previous government, on the treatment of IPP prisoners was disgraceful. However, we note that the current justice minister has reversed some, but not all, of the decisions. Would the current minister now consider a full resentencing exercise for the remaining IPP Prisoners?
Ministry of Justice
Resentencing / Justice
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board again asks when will the Minister consider the introduction of a national minimum wage for prisoners? The rates of pay vary considerably between prisons, yet prisoners nationally must pay the same for canteen and catalogue items. Prisoners are obviously not able to leave employment to move to a higher paid job.
Ministry of Justice
Regime / Conditions
Recommendation 3
Repeated
As per our last report, the Board understands that there has been an increase in the prison population nationally. Consequently, if there is to be an increase in prisoner numbers at HMP Bure above the agreed number of 641, then provision must also be made for more work for prisoners. There are not enough work opportunities for the existing number of prisoners. We are also acutely aware that there are not enough activity places at HMP Bure. Fewer than 66% of working age prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity and some prisoners say they are bored. Also, if the numbers are to increase, the existing recreational space and garden areas need to be maintained, so consideration should be given to extending the existing fencing. There is also a need to improve the regime for older and younger prisoners. How will the Prison Service address these issues?
HMPPS
Purposeful Activity / Overcrowding
Recommendation 4
The Board is concerned that the prison is carrying out a resettlement function but does not receive the additional funding for a prison employment lead, available in designated resettlement prisons. How will the Prison Service resolve this inequality?
HMPPS
Resettlement / Funding
Recommendation 5
The prison lacks CCTV, resulting in some prisoners feeling unsafe. Can consideration be made for funding to be made available to resolve this issue?
HMPPS
Safety / Estate
Recommendation 6
Members of the Board attend adjudications regularly. However, the current procedure of the Governor recording everything in longhand takes a considerable amount of time and is positively archaic in the 21st century. This method of recording has two disadvantages: the Governor has little time to observe the prisoner and his reactions, as he is having to focus on writing notes; and an opportunity for better communication is lost. In the Board’s view, the solution is to record everything audio/visually. This improvement should not have significant cost implications and, in the Board’s opinion, needs to be undertaken as soon as possible.
HMPPS
Fair Treatment / Adjudications
Recommendation 7
The Board has noticed an increase in self-harm and this needs to be investigated by the prison.
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board remains concerned that education and workshop classes are underused, due to conflicting healthcare appointments and activities.
Governor / Director
Education / Purposeful Activity
Recommendation 9
From time to time, prisoners do not seem to understand that the approach to various items of property, mostly Xboxes, may vary from establishment to establishment. Will the Governor make it clear on reception that there are no local rules and that they are following national instructions?
Governor / Director
Regime / Property
Other IMB Reports for Bure
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
2 Oct 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 1
Release: 3
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.