Prison
Cat B, local, resettlement, YOI
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Bristol
IMB Annual Report 2024 · Published 10 December 2024
HMP Bristol has made notable improvements in safety, regime consistency, and purposeful activity during the reporting year, with reductions in deaths in custody, self-harm, and violence. Staffing levels have reached full establishment, contributing to these positive changes. However, significant challenges persist, including severe overcrowding, limited mental health support for the general population, and issues with the physical environment, particularly a lack of in-cell sanitation in one wing. Resettlement support, the prevalence of illicit items, and the need for better IT infrastructure also remain key concerns for the Board.
Positive Findings
HMP Bristol has seen reductions in deaths in custody, self-harm, and violent incidents, with a strong focus on improving safety through increased purposeful activity and time out of cell. Staffing levels have reached full establishment, contributing to a more consistent prison regime. The prison has made improvements in education, with nearly 80% of prisoners engaged in work or learning, and a commendable whole-prison approach to neurodiversity. Healthcare services have been reorganised and staffing improved, while the prison maintains a five-star food hygiene rating and offers a family-friendly visits hall. Refurbishments have improved cleanliness and decency in some areas, and the multi-faith team provides valued support.
Key Concerns
Overcrowding
Repeated
HMP Bristol continues to be an overcrowded Victorian prison. What actions will the Minister take to reduce the overcrowding at HMP Bristol and improve the physical environment for prisoners?
Resettlement/Release
There appears to be insufficient support for prisoners on release to prevent them returning to prison for short periods of time and/or being recalled due to relatively minor licence breaches. How will the Minister address this?
Mental Health
Repeated
Many prisoners tell us about their mental health struggles, and the mental health services are only able to focus on the most serious individuals. Will the Minister expand the mental health services to enable all prisoners to have some level of support?
Staffing
Repeated
Staffing levels at HMP Bristol have improved, resulting in a better experience for prisoners. Will there be regular support for HMP Bristol to help retain staff, as well as regular recruitment going forward to prevent the prison falling below establishment in future?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
When will HMP Bristol have the information technology to enable prisoners to make applications online, reduce frustrations with existing paper systems and free up staff time?
Substance Misuse
The prevalence of illicit items in HMP Bristol appears to contribute to the issues of prisoner and staff safety. Will the prison be able to get any additional resources and support to tackle this?
Other
Repeated
Please can the IMB consistently receive regular and timely reports and information to support our monitoring activities?
Healthcare
Repeated
Healthcare concerns are one of the top issues raised with the IMB by prisoners at HMP Bristol. Are you satisfied that the contract with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust meets the needs of the prisoners?
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Key working is focused on the high-risk cohorts of prisoners. Will key working be available for all prisoners in the coming year?
Board Commentary
Staffing
HMP Bristol has successfully increased staffing levels to full establishment, reducing reliance on detached duty staff. However, this intensive recruitment has led to a decrease in the average length of service to 1.4 years, causing some inconsistency in prisoner treatment, which the prison is addressing with mentoring. An increase in sickness and restricted duties among new recruits also impacts staff availability. While key working has been reintroduced for high-risk prisoners, it is not yet available for all.
Healthcare
Healthcare services at HMP Bristol continue to face challenges despite recent recruitment efforts. Vacancies led to cancelled clinics and delayed medication, with healthcare issues remaining the top concern raised by prisoners, primarily regarding access to physical and mental health care, and medication. Mental health services focus on high-need individuals, leaving many with limited support, and long waits persist for specialist transfers, often in unsuitable segregation facilities. Medication supply issues, particularly for ADHD, have also caused significant anxiety among prisoners.
Regime & Daily Life
HMP Bristol has achieved a more consistent and fuller regime, with most prisoners spending more time out of their cells, up to 50% more than the previous year. Purposeful activity engagement is high, with nearly 80% of prisoners involved in work or education, and cancellations are rare. However, overcrowding persists, with many prisoners sharing cells designed for one, and B wing (99 prisoners) still lacks in-cell sanitation, leading prisoners to urinate in bottles overnight. While the overall regime improved, staff shortages occasionally lead to reduced unlock hours for segregation and Brunel unit prisoners.
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 | 5 | |
| Canteen facility list, catalogues | 15 | 10 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives schemes, sanctions | 10 | 4 | |
| Equality | 9 | 4 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 12 | 9 | |
| Food and kitchens | 14 | 11 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 71 | 60 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 36 | 11 | |
| Miscellaneous | 6 | 10 | |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 29 | 25 | |
| Property within the establishment | 19 | 26 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 13 | 7 | |
| Sentence management, including home detention curfew, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, recategorisation | 39 | 24 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 48 | 42 | |
| Transfers | 6 | 3 |
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 3
HMPPS: 3
Governor / Director: 3
6 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
HMP Bristol continues to be an overcrowded Victorian prison. What actions will the Minister take to reduce the overcrowding at HMP Bristol and improve the physical environment for prisoners?
Ministry of Justice
Overcrowding
Response
Level of crowding set by PGD, dynamic and reviewed regularly. No prison will be expected to exceed operational capacity. Longer term, more capacity (20,000 places) being built across Prison Service.
Recommendation 2
There appears to be insufficient support for prisoners on release to prevent them returning to prison for short periods of time and/or being recalled due to relatively minor licence breaches. How will the Minister address this?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Many prisoners tell us about their mental health struggles, and the mental health services are only able to focus on the most serious individuals. Will the Minister expand the mental health services to enable all prisoners to have some level of support?
Ministry of Justice
Mental Health
Response
New staffing model maximises contact with prisoners. Currently, there are vacancies, which are being filled by temporary staff. Mental health staffing up to full establishment.
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. addressed
Staffing levels at HMP Bristol have improved, resulting in a better experience for prisoners. Will there be regular support for HMP Bristol to help retain staff, as well as regular recruitment going forward to prevent the prison falling below establishment in future?
HMPPS
Staffing
Response
Recruitment and retention is challenging; additional support is being provided; staffing projections exceed required staff numbers. Detached duties and incentivised payment plus, a second colleague mentor and staff reprofiling exercise. GFSL, busiest in the south west, shares our concerns about heating and hot water, with heating and hot water repaired, which should last several years.
Recommendation 5
When will HMP Bristol have the information technology to enable prisoners to make applications online, reduce frustrations with existing paper systems and free up staff time?
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 6
The prevalence of illicit items in HMP Bristol appears to contribute to the issues of prisoner and staff safety. Will the prison be able to get any additional resources and support to tackle this?
HMPPS
Substance Misuse
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Please can the IMB consistently receive regular and timely reports and information to support our monitoring activities?
Governor / Director
Other
Response
Some inconsistency continues.
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Healthcare concerns are one of the top issues raised with the IMB by prisoners at HMP Bristol. Are you satisfied that the contract with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust meets the needs of the prisoners?
Governor / Director
Healthcare
Response
Improvements have been seen, although healthcare remains one of the top issues raised by prisoners to the IMB.
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Key working is focused on the high-risk cohorts of prisoners. Will key working be available for all prisoners in the coming year?
Governor / Director
Regime
Response
Regime plans to include key working.
Other IMB Reports for Bristol
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
26 Jul 2023
Urgent Notification
10 Jul 2023
Unannounced
Safety: 1
Respect: 2
Activity: 1
Release: 2
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.