Prison
Cat D
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Leyhill
IMB Annual Report 2024 · Published 5 July 2024
HMP Leyhill is a Category D open prison that demonstrated humane treatment, effective healthcare, and improved ROTL processes during the reporting year. The prison's population was 449 against an operational capacity of 460. Key challenges include a persistent lack of Approved Premises delaying releases, an inadequate food budget, and the impact of a changing prisoner demographic on safety and increased drug finds. Staffing pressures also affected healthcare, education, and social video calling provision.
Positive Findings
The IMB commends the care shown for vulnerable prisoners, the low number of self-harm and violent incidents, and the fair treatment demonstrated through schemes like 'Listener'. Healthcare provision is generally good, praised by HMIP/CQC, and waiting times for mental health services are better than in the community. Improvements in education strategy, purposeful activity, and the streamlined Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) process are noted. The chaplaincy's extensive spiritual and pastoral support, as well as the popular Lobster Pot for older prisoners, are highlighted as positive contributions to the community.
Key Concerns
Resettlement/Release
The lack of spaces in Approved Premises which leads to many prisoners facing incarceration beyond their release dates.
Food/Catering
The food budget not keeping pace with inflation.
Resettlement/Release
Delays in the release and resettlement in the community of the prisoners serving IPP sentences, many of whom have spent far longer in custody than recommended in their indicative tariffs.
Resettlement/Release
Steps are needed to speed up the work and enhance the efficiency of the COMs (Community Offender Managers) in the external probation service.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The absence of in-cell telephony and communication as provided in the majority of the closed estate.
Staffing
The need to increase facilities and staffing levels in proportion to the proposed rise in operational capacity.
Safety
The changing population demographic of Leyhill, moving from a predominantly older population convicted of sexual offences to one that is younger and on shorter sentences, is providing a challenge in all areas and contributing to an increase in intimidation and bullying.
Substance Misuse
An increase in drug finds (cocaine, cannabis, Subutex, ketamine, anabolic steroids, syringes) and alcohol finds, with mobile phone signals often detected at night when fewer staff are on duty to investigate.
Complaints/Property
Persistent issues with property transfer arrangements and storage, leading to misplaced items and a significant amount of time spent attempting to locate property.
Healthcare
Long waiting lists for some Allied Health Professionals (AHP) services, particularly physiotherapy, podiatry, and optician services, although podiatry and optical have seen improvement.
Education/Purposeful Activity
HMIP reported that the provision of education, skills and work was not of sufficiently high quality and did not equip prisoners with the skills they need to gain employment on release.
Education/Purposeful Activity
Challenges in staff recruitment for education, leading to a lack of tutors and the inability to offer desired vocational courses (e.g. Forklift & Warehousing, Carpenters shop skills).
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Secure social video calling is often only available one day per week due to staff shortages.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The prison has experienced staff shortages, notably in the kitchen, which have been somewhat mitigated by wage increases. While there's a welcome decrease in staff with less than two years' service, staff are still occasionally loaned to other prisons. Healthcare has vacancies, with Physical Health having two and Mental Health one. Education recruitment has been challenging, with unsuccessful attempts to find tutors for vocational courses. The Offender Management Unit initially saw staffing decreases but was fully staffed by the end of the reporting year, though staff shortages still impact secure social video calling availability.
Healthcare
Healthcare, provided by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, is generally running smoothly, receiving positive feedback from an HMIP/CQC inspection for its leadership, skilled staff, and access. However, some Allied Health Professional services, including physiotherapy, podiatry, and optical services, have experienced long waiting lists, though some improvements have been made. Mental health services, while stretched, are responsive and have considerably better waiting times than in the community. There were four deaths in custody, all from natural causes, and a rising number of 'Did Not Attends' for appointments.
Regime & Daily Life
Access to telephones remains an issue, with no in-cell telephony and shared phones leading to queues and lack of privacy, especially for Cedar Unit prisoners after 8 pm. The extensive grounds are a valued asset for exercise and activities like Parkrun and football. The gym has adapted its regime for a changing population, and allotments contribute to well-being. Despite some HMIP concerns about the quality of education and work provision not adequately preparing prisoners for employment, most working-age prisoners are purposefully employed in various internal workplaces such as DHL, market gardening, recycling, and the print shop.
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) | 13 | 18 | |
| Complaints (internal process) | 15 | 16 | |
| Food | 1 | 4 | |
| Healthcare (including Mental Health) | 10 | 12 | |
| Legal (including Parole) | 2 | 10 | |
| Other | 14 | 18 | |
| Property (personal belongings) | 11 | 20 | |
| Resettlement (including Rotl and OMUs) | 23 | 92 | |
| Staff (relationships, complaints) | 20 | 18 | |
| Total | 117 | 222 | |
| Visits | 2 | 2 | — |
| Work/Education | 6 | 12 |
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 2
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 3
Recommendation 1
What action will the Minister take to remedy the lack of spaces in Approved Premises which leads to many prisoners facing incarceration beyond their release dates?
Ministry of Justice
Resettlement
Recommendation 2
What action will the Minister take to raise the food budget in line with inflation?
Ministry of Justice
Food
Recommendation 3
What further action will be taken to speed up the release and resettlement in the community of the prisoners serving IPP sentences, many of whom have spent far longer in custody than recommended in their indicative tariffs?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
What steps will be taken to speed up the work and enhance the efficiency of the COMs (Community Offender Managers) in the external probation service?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 5
Will the Prison Service install in-cell telephony and communication as provided in the majority of the closed estate?
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 6
Will the Prison Service increase facilities and staffing levels in proportion to the proposed rise in operational capacity?
HMPPS
Staffing
Recommendation 7
The Board urges the Governor to build on the continued improvements made in the ROTL process.
Governor / Director
Progression
Recommendation 8
The Board urges the Governor to maintain the current standards at Leyhill in the forthcoming refurbishment, upgrade of facilities, challenging expansion project and installation of RDCs (Rapid Deployment Cells).
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 9
The Board urges the Governor to continue to seek ways of increasing the number of prisoners gaining external work experience.
Governor / Director
Progression
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.