IMB Annual Reports

- Staff shortages severely impact services, leading to curtailed regimes, missed activities, and inability to meet key worker session targets.
- Poor collaboration and 'silo' working among healthcare providers, exacerbated by lack of GPs and nurses, result in sub-optimal care and dangerous medication delays.
- High incidence of self-harm and challenges in managing complex, acutely mentally unwell prisoners, compounded by bed shortages in secure psychiatric hospitals.
- Significant problems with the prisoner complaints system, with lengthy delays undermining prisoner confidence.
- An unworkable new property policy and persistent backlogs cause distress and frustration for prisoners.
- Roll count is regularly late and inaccurate, negatively impacting the regime and security of the prison.

- The ineffectiveness of Amey Projects has led to significant problems with major works and cell refurbishment, impacting the estate and work opportunities.
- Persistent overcrowding, with two men sharing single cells and inadequate disability access, continues to be a major concern.
- The education and activities department has struggled due to staff suspensions, and key worker sessions are significantly down, impacting purposeful activity.
- Mental health of prisoners, particularly those on short-term sentences, remains a major concern, alongside inconsistent funding for addiction programmes.
- Post-release accommodation is a significant problem, and the bail information pilot has stalled due to lack of staff.
- IMB members are frequently unable to observe Good Order and Discipline (GOoD) reviews due to inconsistent scheduling, and there is insufficient use of The Big Word translation service.

- The induction process remains inconsistent and limited in its effectiveness, with 38% of prisoners reporting no induction and 35% finding it poor.
- The prison remains overcrowded, with two men sharing small cells and toilet, which the Board considers inhumane, and cells are often in poor condition and not properly cleaned.
- There is a lack of effective communication from healthcare to prisoners, leading to frustration, missed appointments, and a perception by 75% of prisoners that the service is poor and slow.
- Group and individual drug rehabilitation work is no longer carried out, leading to a deterioration in this service.
- It appears easy for drugs and other illicit items to enter the prison, with at least one find reported every day on average.
- Prisoners still spend too much time locked in their cells, with around half spending over 20 hours per day in their cell.
- The relocation of the segregation unit (CSU) was significantly delayed (18 months) and beset by design and construction flaws.
- There is a disproportionate representation of Black, Asian, other ethnic minority prisoners, and those from the Traveller community in adjudications.
- There has been no progress in the provision of digital kiosks, and the paper-based property system remains unfit for purpose.
- HMP Bedford’s strategy for remand prisoners has not been implemented, despite its positive elements.
- Violence towards staff has been very high for most of the reporting year, although it has improved in recent months.
- The education curriculum is contracting, with an insistence on providing maths and English at the expense of music and art, which may not suit the elective nature of a remand prison.
- Only three of the five workshops are able to provide activities, limiting vocational training and work opportunities.
- There is a concerning lack of access for the IMB to healthcare managers.

- Late arrival of prisoners, particularly from out-of-area courts, increasing pressure on reception.
- Increased prison population making safe location of vulnerable prisoners and those with gang affiliations more challenging.
- Concerns that Pava incapacitant spray and batons may detract from good staff/prisoner relations.
- The kitchen being unfit for purpose, given the increased population and prisoner concerns about food quality and quantity.
- Lack of education provision for prisoners in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
- Mentally unwell men held in CSU due to insufficient beds in secure facilities.
- Staffing shortages leading to difficulties escorting prisoners to outside hospital appointments.
- Ongoing challenges engaging short-term prisoners in substance misuse management.
- Disappointment at the loss of vocational workshops and failure to deliver a planned workshop.
- Disappearance of a dedicated family unit and lack of a visits hall creche impacting family relationships.
- Government early release schemes exacerbating pressures on Offender Management and Resettlement teams, leading to more prisoners released without accommodation.

- Delays in Secretary of State decisions for open conditions transfers for life-sentenced and IPP prisoners.
- Lack of suitable accommodation for a small number of prisoners on release.
- Prisons not routinely informed of reoffending data post-release.
- Limited number of resettlement prisons accepting people convicted of sexual offences.
- Lack of systematic monitoring and quality assurance for incentives policy application and consistency in awarding positive comments.
- Need for review of movement restrictions and clear communication of rationale.
- Assurances needed for adequate resourcing and staffing of the equality and diversity department under the new contract.

- Overcrowding resulted in restricted regimes and the inappropriate accommodation of general population prisoners on the vulnerable prisoners' wing.
- The prison lacks facilities to adequately support persistent self-harmers, and transfer options to appropriate facilities are severely limited.
- Despite significant efforts, the amount of contraband, particularly NPS, entering the establishment remains high.
- Prisoner accommodation is inadequate, being too small, old, dilapidated, and unsuitable for two men sharing.
- Vermin, particularly rats, are a continuing and constant presence despite extermination efforts.
- The number, range, and standard of educational and training opportunities are insufficient for the prison population, impacting resettlement.
- Significant infrastructure improvements are urgently required across the prison.

- Rise in self-harm incidents, prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, and drug use.
- Cramped and inhumane living conditions in double cells with a lack of privacy.
- Ageing prison estate, particularly the main kitchen floor (health and safety risk) and the outdated healthcare building.
- Limited therapy provision and narrow range of interventions from the new secondary mental health contract.
- Increased complaints about healthcare, specifically long waiting times for dental care, opiate medication, and external hospital appointments.
- Persistent issues with property loss and damage during transfers between prisons.
- Under-resourced Offender Management Unit leading to lack of prisoner contact.
- Inconvenient social video call times for prisoners to contact families.
- Lack of a meaningful progression plan for IPP prisoners.
- Insufficient resourcing from the Minister to prevent overcrowding and adequately educate/skill prisoners.

- Increased assaults on prisoners and staff, and a significant rise in self-harm incidents.
- Persistent lack of suitable mental health provision and transfer capacity.
- Restricted time out of cell and low engagement in purposeful activity.
- High proportion of inexperienced staff and limited effectiveness of key worker scheme.
- Loss of prisoner property on transfer and issues with inter-establishment complaints.
- Impact of wider prison estate capacity issues on transfers and resettlement planning.

- Poor standard of dormitory accommodation and insufficient kitchen appliances (lack of halal-specific microwaves).
- Lack of sufficient support for prisoners adjusting to open conditions and poor contact with Initial Point of Contact (IPOC) officers.
- Very little progress in improving technical connectivity (Wi-fi) to support learning and resettlement.
- Loss of prisoner property on transfer remains a significant and recurring source of concern.
- Inconsistencies and lack of communication from OMU staff in processing ROTL applications.
- Lack of activities for prisoners outside usual working hours, leading to boredom, and the limited range of existing activities.
- Education and training offer needs to be broadened and refreshed to reflect modern employment opportunities.

- The adverse impact of population pressures, staff shortages, management changes, and lack of good-quality, purposeful activity on prisoners, leading to restricted regime, curtailed exercise, and poor morale.
- Gaps in how the healthcare unit deals with patient complaints and a lack of communication addressing prisoners’ concerns, with healthcare being the principal reason for IMB applications.
- Inconsistent delivery of key work to the required standard.
- A very long waiting list for mental healthcare provision, and the prison was without a psychiatrist for much of the reporting year.
- Too many prisoners with severe mental health issues having to be restricted in the healthcare unit, or segregated in the care and separation unit, often for long periods.
- Managers’ responses to complaints are too often considered to be incomplete, terse and dismissive.

- The pervasive lack of a decent and rehabilitative regime, with frequent curtailment of time out of cell and disproportionate facility closures in the women's prison.
- Severe staff shortages, high sickness levels, and instability in both frontline and management teams, impacting all aspects of prison life.
- Ongoing challenges with the new healthcare provider, including staffing, timely medication, and a significant number of unresolved patient complaints.
- The persistent poor quality and insufficient provision of education, work, and skills opportunities.
- Delays in the enactment of the Mental Health Bill and a continued lack of suitable approved accommodation for women on release.

- Security weaknesses at the prison gate and identified in the security audit.
- Frequent regime disruptions and wing lockdowns due to staff shortages.
- Poor building fabric, including unreliable heating and showers.
- Concerning levels of self-harm incidents and ACCT documents.
- Ongoing issues with support and release planning for IPP prisoners and general resettlement funding.
- Restrictive timing of social video calls impacting family contact.
- Lack of specific support networks for the increasing older prisoner population.

- Persistent issues with healthcare provision, including staffing, medication management, and lengthy delays in transferring mentally ill prisoners to secure hospitals.
- Significant estate maintenance problems, particularly the frequent breakdown of lifts and in-cell/wing terminal CMS equipment, which hinder access to facilities and daily prisoner life.
- Challenges in safety, including an increase in violence, shortcomings in ACCT documentation, and the continued absence of confidential face-to-face support for vulnerable prisoners.
- Inadequate management of prisoner property and inconsistencies in the incentives scheme, leading to prisoner frustration and perceptions of unfairness.
- Recruitment issues negatively impacting education and resettlement services, contributing to a high number of prisoners released without stable accommodation.
- Disproportionate use of force and adjudications for Black/mixed race and Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller prisoners, suggesting potential unconscious bias.

- Increase in violence, illicit drug use, and associated debt/bullying.
- Poor state of accommodation, particularly on A and B wings, and unreliable heating/hot water on G and H wings.
- Significant infrastructure problems in the kitchen, impacting meal provision for the large population.
- Healthcare provision, especially mental health support, is not good enough, with long waits for interventions and secure transfers.
- Lack of purposeful activity and employment opportunities on the Category C side due to the prolonged closure of workshops.
- Sacrifice of library access due to staff shortages, risking the service's future.
- Triaging of hospital escorts by non-clinical prison staff, which the Board considers a clinical decision.
- The continued impact of staffing shortages across all areas of the prison, leading to regime restrictions and service curtailments.
- The ongoing gross injustice of IPP sentences and the high number of IPP prisoners held at Wymott.

- The two-thirds of Category B prisoners at Whitemoor are held in overly restrictive Category A conditions, hindering progression.
- Lack of formal standards to ensure purposeful activity is constructive and effectively delivered.
- Inadequate and unreliable access to visits, including legal ones, causing distress and potential human rights issues.
- Persistent regime curtailments due to staff shortages, impacting time out of cell and all activities.
- Insufficient multidisciplinary support for ACCT reviews, potentially compromising self-harm and suicide prevention.
- Problems with food provision, serveries, kitchen equipment, and ongoing rodent infestation.

- The inhumane conditions due to overcrowding, lack of privacy, and severe infrastructure issues like widespread infestations and plumbing problems.
- The significant increase in violence (28%) and self-harm (13%), exacerbated by understaffing in Safer Custody and inadequate ACCT documentation.
- The unacceptably long periods of cell confinement (22 hours a day for many), hindering rehabilitation and undermining decency.
- Critical healthcare issues including a severe lack of secure hospital beds, leading to unwell prisoners remaining in custody, and pharmacy staff vacancies.
- Persistent staffing pressures and redeployment in key departments like Safer Custody, Equality, and OMU, impacting service delivery and support for prisoners.
- The appalling state of the main mosque roof and the ongoing rat infestation in the kitchen which required ministerial intervention.

- Long-standing maintenance issues, particularly heating, hot water, and cell availability, due to Victorian infrastructure, remain a significant concern.
- Delays in access to specialist mental health facilities remain challenging, with transfers taking months.
- The high transient population impacts prisoners' ability to complete education and training and exacerbates property management issues.
- Deficiencies in kit distribution, laundry processes, and external cleanliness (food waste attracting pigeons) persist.
- Accessibility for prisoners with mobility issues is compromised by the non-operational A Wing lift.
- Support for remand prisoners regarding release planning is inadequate.
- The daily food allowance is increasingly insufficient for providing nutritional meals.

- There has been a marked increase in violence at Yarl’s Wood, linked to increased occupancy and the proportion of Time-Served Foreign National Offenders (TSFNOs).
- The centre’s fabric has been exposed as fragile during major incidents, raising questions about its fitness for the purpose of detention.
- Length of detention remains a significant issue, with increasing periods for both men and women, and poor communication about case progression contributing to detainee frustration.
- Detainees with severe mental health crises are being kept in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) whilst waiting for transfers to external mental health beds, in an environment deemed unsuitable.
- There is little or no oversight or auditing of Rule 35 applications, making it unclear which governing body ensures their quality.
- Women on the Nightingale unit feel exposed and uncomfortable due to men on the Crane unit being able to see them in the outdoor exercise area.

- Prevalence of illicit substances and high rates of positive drug tests.
- Common self-harm incidents and the need for improved ACCT management.
- Poor management of use of force incidents, posing risks to staff and prisoners.
- Persistent building design issues, including lack of airflow in common areas and unusable low mobility cells.
- Suspension of key worker support for most of the year and high number of complaints about lost property.
- Education department struggles due to staffing issues and the suspension of ROTL for outside employment.
- The Board is significantly under-resourced with only six members monitoring over 1,700 prisoners.
- Overcrowding concerns with two prisoners sharing cells designed for one.

- Inadequate provision of education, skills and work activities, negatively impacting health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation.
- Persistent problems with maintenance and slow repair times for damaged cells.
- Overcrowding across the estate leading to prisoners being held in inappropriate categories and denied access to rehabilitative courses.
- Too many prisoners held in the Segregation Unit for extended periods, sometimes over 100 days, often due to challenging behaviour for which no suitable accommodation exists.
- Limited time out of cell, lack of purposeful activity, and difficulties with family/legal calls for prisoners in the High Security Unit (HSU).
- A marked increase in illicit items, including drugs and mini mobile phones, posing significant safety and security concerns.
- The indefinite detention of IPP prisoners, with no clear progression pathway or realistic possibility of parole, is considered inhumane.
- Long delays in transferring prisoners requiring treatment in secure mental health hospitals and a shortage of in-patient beds in the Healthcare Centre.
- The significant increase in vulnerable prisoners, with some held on houseblocks outside the dedicated unit due to capacity issues.
- Detention of young offenders in an adult prison like Belmarsh, which can be traumatising and negatively impact their mental health.

- The Board questions the value, fairness, and humanity of detaining families with children in the PDA, noting it may prolong or add to existing trauma.
- Children are sometimes placed in the position of interpreting for their parents, taking on responsibilities beyond their years, leading to unfair and unequal treatment.
- The Home Office's decision-making process led to callous treatment and unnecessary suffering for a pregnant mother and her young children during an attempted removal.
- Significant concerns exist regarding the severe impact of detention on the mental and emotional well-being of all family members, particularly children.
- The high proportion of failed removals from the PDA suggests that the benefits do not outweigh the distress caused by its use.
- The IMB's exclusion from a Home Office "lessons learned" review following a serious incident undermines the aim of learning and independent oversight.

- Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults remain among the highest in the estate.
- The number of ACCTs remains high, with observation logs sometimes missing or incomplete.
- Lack of staffing consistency challenges positive relationships between prisoners and staff.
- The fabric of the buildings is showing its age, with unacceptable shower standards and inconsistent cleaning schedules.
- Men with complex and severe mental health needs are held in the Segregation Unit for too long, with slow progress to specialist settings.
- Prisoners requiring severe mental health services wait too long for assessment and transfer.
- There are insufficient jobs and education opportunities for prisoners.
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are a concern, with staff unable to locate files and no centralized record.
- Prisoners with learning disabilities and other challenges (LDCs) are significantly over-represented in adjudications.
- Support for resettlement is not adequate for most prisoners.
- The use of illicit spice and adapted vapes increased, leading to medical emergencies.

- Outdated CCTV provision compromises safety by creating blind spots around the estate.
- Frequent breakdown of essential kitchen equipment affects food provision and incurs extra costs.
- Loss of working days for prisoners in workshops due to ineffective heating, a persistent issue over several years.
- Prisoners are held in segregation for longer periods than regulations stipulate.
- Persistent complaints regarding late arrival or non-arrival of prisoner property during transfers.
- Ongoing concern about illicit drug availability within the establishment.
- Complaints regarding healthcare, particularly medication, remain an issue.
- Inadequate facilities for pharmacy dispensing on lower wings require upgrading.
- Mental health provision for complex cases is a concern, and dementia care services still need improvement.
- Unsuitable physical environment and showering provision for disabled and older prisoners.

- Staffing issues (sickness, inexperience) severely restricting regime, purposeful activity, and key worker sessions.
- Persistent serious concerns regarding the availability of appropriate mental health support and transfers to secure NHS units.
- Weak and unaccountable management of prisoner applications and complaints, leading to a lack of prisoner confidence.
- Insufficient purposeful activity, with around half the population not engaged, leading to excessive time in cells and frequent wing closures.
- Inconsistent and insufficient mandatory drug testing, coupled with a weak strategy to prevent drug ingress, which fuels debt, self-harm, and violence.
- Lack of effective support for self-isolating and wing-restricted prisoners, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and deteriorating mental health.
- Increasing issues of property lost during transfers between establishments.

- There are still apparent delays with community offender managers (COMs) updating OASys paperwork, which delays ROTL boards, parole hearings, and can lead to prisoners spending more time in prison than necessary.
- No tangible progress has been made regarding the unresolved situation of IPP prisoners since the abolition of the sentence in 2012.
- There is no provision for in-cell telephony, which hinders the maintenance of family ties, especially as prisoners often arrive from establishments where this is available.
- The quality of some accommodation is poor, and the space allocated to prisoners sharing rooms is inadequate, with no current plan to replace decommissioned ageing units.
- There is no budget allocated to convert dormitories (housing four to six prisoners) into smaller rooms.
- A recurring problem exists with prisoner property not always arriving in its entirety on transfer, leading to long waits or complete loss of items.
- There is no on-site facility for suitable end-of-life care for prisoners with chronic and serious health issues, forcing them to remain on units amidst daily prison life.
- Wheelchair users experience difficulties accessing approved premises for resettlement overnight release (ROR), which can delay their sentence plan and parole board hearings.

- Significant increases in violence (prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, staff assaults, use of force) driven by population pressures, low staff visibility, and easy availability of illicit items.
- Unacceptable living conditions for a third of prisoners who lack in-cell sanitation and rely on an antiquated, unreliable night sanitation system.
- Kitchen facilities are largely unfit for purpose, with wet and unsafe floors and old equipment.
- Lack of independent external auditing for Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs) and general distrust in the complaints system.
- Vulnerable prisoners, including those on ACCT plans, are often held in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU), which is not a suitable environment.
- Staff shortages have severely undermined key work, leaving a quarter of prisoners without an allocated key worker, and led to reduced time out of cell and increased unplanned lockdowns.
- Rising demand for mental health services results in higher caseloads and longer waiting times for prisoners.
- The Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) wing is overcrowded and ineffective in preventing illicit substance use.
- Low attendance and capacity utilisation in education and industries, coupled with blockages in prisoner transfers, hinder progression and resettlement.
- The increasing number of IPP prisoners feel 'stuck' due to limited opportunities for progression.

- Dilapidated and poorly maintained buildings with broken heating, leaking roofs, and inadequate laundry facilities.
- High levels of violence, particularly prisoner-on-prisoner and gang-related assaults, exacerbated by illicit items and debt.
- Significant issues with healthcare access, including cancelled appointments due to staff shortages and lack of escorts, and an overstretched mental health team.
- Inhumane treatment of prisoners with severe mental health issues or learning difficulties held in custody due to lack of appropriate external placements.
- The segregation unit is not fit for purpose and lacks purposeful activity, leading to it becoming a "destination of choice" for some.
- Low prisoner pay rates have led to financial hardship and demotivation, impacting work/education attendance.

- Delay in transferring mentally ill prisoners to secure mental health facilities, leading to extended stays in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
- The continued issue of prisoner property not being transferred with individuals, causing delays and problems upon arrival.
- Lack of planned refurbishment or enlargement for older parts of the establishment, including the CSU, despite the need for remedial work.
- The increasing number of prisoners held 'out of area', negatively impacting family ties.
- HMP Stocken not being funded as a resettlement prison, despite an increasing number of prisoners being released directly from the establishment.
- Long waiting times for accredited offending behaviour programmes.
- Concerns regarding the interpersonal skills of some new and young prison officers.

- The needs of complex individuals with multiple mental health issues are not served well in prison, and such prisoners should be accommodated in secure mental health units.
- The continued detention of IPP prisoners is unfair and inhumane.
- The practice of potentially using an escort chain or handcuff of a prisoner to an officer during a breast screening is a concern.
- There is a persistent absence of in-cell technology, with no progress or future plans, failing to prepare prisoners for a digital society.
- Persistent low local pay levels for prisoners, inconsistent across the female estate, erode spending power.
- Shortages of offender managers at Send and in the community damage prisoners' ability to reintegrate into society.
- Inconsistent approach to induction paperwork and frequent changes to discrimination incident report form (DIRF) handling limit effective monitoring.
- Delays in refunds from DHL and the long-term absence of a library computer are impacting prisoners.
- The initiative to tackle obesity needs consistent follow-through, and more prisoners should be engaged in education.

- Overcrowding and dilapidated infrastructure are constant problems, leading to cramped, unhygienic, and unsafe living conditions, with many cells unfit for purpose and maintenance being slow.
- Increased prisoner churn due to early release schemes (ECSL) is overwhelming staff, leading to prisoners being released without adequate preparation and increasing reoffending risk.
- Significant increases in self-harm (47%), prisoner-on-staff assaults (85%), prisoner-on-prisoner assaults (35%), and use of force (43%), indicating an unsafe environment.
- Persistent staff shortages, especially in healthcare (47% vacancy rate), impacting timely access to care, and the inexperience of new officers affecting de-escalation.
- Mental health patients face significant delays (exceeding 28 days) for transfers to specialist facilities, with the CSU often used to manage those in crisis despite staff lacking specialist training.
- Low time out of cell (around 1.5 hours daily for many) and high unemployment (38%) among prisoners contribute to boredom and challenging behaviour, with only 55% receiving regular key worker sessions.
- The mandatory GP visits to the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) every 72 hours were not met several times, including for entire weeks/months.
- Limited resources and support for remand prisoners released directly from court, increasing their risk of reoffending.

- Dilapidated state of the prison, with temporary repairs not addressing underlying problems.
- Chronic staffing shortages impacting healthcare, the Offender Management Unit, and leading to regime disruptions and medication delays.
- Inappropriate and prolonged housing of prisoners with severe mental health issues in the Care and Separation Unit.
- Inadequate gate security measures leading to concerns about illicit item smuggling.
- Persistent issues with prisoner property, both on transfer and within the establishment.
- Concerns regarding the quantity, quality, and inconsistent portion sizes of food provided to prisoners.

- The significant increase in prison population and high churn rate continues to strain reception, induction, and offender management processes, hindering effective resettlement planning.
- The persistent issue of illicit materials entering the prison contributes to high levels of debt, bullying, violence, and self-harm.
- The physical condition of older A and B wings remains a significant concern, with accommodation built in the 1960s requiring major refurbishment or replacement to ensure humane living conditions.
- The regime continues to offer mostly part-time work and limited time out of cell, particularly at weekends, negatively impacting prisoner wellbeing, progression, and rehabilitation prospects due to a lack of funding for full-time opportunities and staff.
- The number of key worker sessions remains very low, and insufficient funding for staff in all functional areas, not just officers, is impacting the delivery of vital services and relationships.
- The housing of severely mentally ill individuals in prison awaiting appropriate institutional placement and the inhumane treatment of IPP prisoners.

- Rising self-harm, suicides, and violence against both prisoners and staff.
- Inhumane delays in mental health transfers for segregated prisoners, leading to prolonged stays in the CSU and deteriorating mental health.
- Persistent staff absence causing frequent regime closures, impacting prisoner well-being and purposeful activity.
- Significant issues with illicit items due to delayed cell searches and lack of action on positive drug tests, coupled with drone activity.
- Acute shortage of accessible cells for prisoners with disabilities and a chaotic mental health referral process.
- Ongoing problems with lost prisoner property during transfers and unaddressed complaints from other establishments.

- Styal recorded the highest rates of prisoner-on-prisoner and prisoner-on-staff assaults, and the third highest level of self-harm in the female estate.
- Accommodation across the 17 houses remains a key concern, with long-standing maintenance delays, inadequate facilities, and insufficient seating and bathrooms.
- Concerns are increasing about the use of segregation for prisoners with complex mental health needs due to a lack of community mental health facilities.
- Spectrum has struggled to consistently provide safe and timely medication administration, exacerbated by healthcare staffing shortages and regime demands.
- There's a notable increase in prisoners with complex health and mental health conditions, straining healthcare and social care services.
- The prison continues to fail in providing prisoners their statutory entitlement of 30 minutes per week in the library.
- Attendance at work and education is insufficient, and the prison lacks enough activity spaces for all eligible prisoners.
- Significant pressure exists in finding suitable accommodation for prisoners upon release.

- The ongoing poor provision and quality of food from the HMP Hollesley Bay kitchen, with the IMB repeatedly urging the reinstatement of an on-site kitchen at Warren Hill.
- Disappointment and disquiet regarding Ministerial intervention delaying or preventing progression to open conditions or release following successful parole hearings, and the continued suspension of the ROTL pilot.
- The need for further investment in the prison's estate, particularly for the refurbishment of shower blocks beyond the one currently underway, some of which were highlighted in last year's report.
- Lack of sufficient digital technology training and access, such as in-cell laptops, which are crucial for preparing prisoners for successful resettlement in the modern world.
- Difficulties and discrepancies in funding and provision of social care for prisoners due to local authority differences, impacting those with physical or mental incapacities.
- Misuse of legitimate prescription medications, such as pregabalin and gabapentin, by a small percentage of the population.

- The injustice of the IPP sentence and its impact on prisoners' mental health and wellbeing, with no centrally directed, long-term solution.
- The compassionate release process remains unnecessarily difficult and slow due to the requirement for hospital consultant confirmation, causing delays for terminally ill prisoners.
- Prisoner-requested transfers within the estate are almost impossible, leading to prisoners being held far from family and friends, negatively impacting their mental wellbeing.
- The persistent problem of prisoner property not being sent on transfer into HMP Rye Hill, despite existing policies, with no effective process to address missing items.
- Concerns about the accelerated timeframe for the new building's opening and the subsequent transition to an all-category C establishment, particularly regarding the allocation of prisoners and support for Category B prisoners during this change.

- The national contract for kitchen maintenance is poorly delivered, leading to costly delays in equipment repair.
- Significant issues persist with the fabric of this Victorian prison, including an unfit reception area and a dilapidated OMU structure.
- The NHS Reconnect service rejects some prisoners on release, creating a gap in vital resettlement support.
- A minority of staff treat prisoners disrespectfully, negatively impacting relationships and undermining pro-social modelling efforts.
- Ongoing delays with PINs applications cause significant frustration for prisoners and staff.
- Prisoner property management, particularly during cell clearances, remains a major concern, leading to loss and numerous complaints.

- Eleven deaths in custody occurred during the reporting period.
- There was a substantial increase in illicit item finds and failed mandatory drug tests.
- Constant complaints were received regarding the quality and quantity of food.
- Mental health provision was inadequate, with excessive waiting lists, insufficient nursing staff, and long waits for ambulance transfers.
- Staffing shortages led to key workers being below required numbers and impacted the OMU.
- Education was frequently limited due to regime restrictions and issues with the new provider, Novus Gower.
- Prisoners serving IPP sentences faced significant anxiety due to uncertainty about release dates.
- Issues persisted with prisoner property transfers, with items not always accompanying prisoners.
- The complaints system was often ineffective, with many complaints not receiving timely responses.

- Healthcare became a challenged function due to the departure of the onsite nurse.
- The new education provider, Novus Gower, was ill-prepared, leading to inadequate teacher numbers and children reporting boredom and disinterest in lessons.
- A low uptake of library books, with only 290 taken out during the year, was noted as a concern.

- Lack of recategorisation for IPP prisoners.
- Significant delays in parole board hearings.
- Concerns about access to support for personal social care for prisoners with limited mobility and disabilities.
- Inadequate healthcare staffing establishment, especially for the increasing number of elderly prisoners with complex needs.
- Inadequate number of probation officers, a repeated concern from previous reports.
- Persistent problem with the loss of prisoners' property during transfers between prisons, which has not improved.
- Impact of increased hospital transfers on staffing levels, leading to additional lockdowns.
- Delay in gaining support from HMPPS for escorted absence for men suitable for progression to open conditions.

- Persistent legionella issues in the water supply and ongoing shower refurbishment negatively impacting prisoners, with only 63-75% of showers working at times.
- Ongoing staff shortages impacting the 'normal' running of the prison, leading to lost activities and wing closures, particularly due to detached duty.
- Continued failure to address the release requirements for IPP prisoners, causing frustration, lack of hope, and feelings of injustice.
- Insufficient budget allocation (£1500) for neurodiversity support, despite 40% of prisoners being neurodiverse and the importance of this area.
- Poor condition of healthcare consulting rooms and prison roadways, with little improvement noted since previous inspections.
- Recruitment and retention challenges for IMB Board members, impacting the Board's capacity.

- The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) is frequently at full capacity, housing acutely mentally unwell women in an unsuitable, therapeutic-free environment, with unacceptable delays in transfers to psychiatric units.
- The Board lacks confidence in the accuracy of attendance data for education and activities, and overall purposeful activity is low, coupled with a decline in library provision.
- Staffing issues persist, including a high rate of inexperienced staff, high sickness absence, and inconsistent embedding of the key worker system.
- There has been a significant rise in assaults on staff and use of force, attributed to population pressure and a more complex prisoner demographic.
- Extremely high levels of property loss during inter-prison transfers continue, exacerbated by poor management of family engagement services by PACT.
- Equalities work remains a low priority, and there is no commissioned provision for dementia testing in the prison.

- The developing gang culture, illegal substance trade, and associated violence remain a significant safety concern within the prison.
- Persistent and unprecedented staff shortages across all departments profoundly impact the regime, prisoner wellbeing, and service delivery, including healthcare and offender management.
- Access to mental healthcare and timely transfers to specialist units continue to be problematic, exacerbated by the effects of long-term lockdown.
- The 'Offender Flow and Allocation' system, which directs younger, shorter-sentenced prisoners to a Category B training prison, negatively affects stability and resettlement efforts.
- Long-standing estate issues, such as overflowing sewage, broken showers, and non-functional industrial dryers, pose significant health, safety, and hygiene risks.
- IPP prisoners continue to face limited opportunities for progression and release, despite repeated recommendations for government review.

- The poor condition of some prison buildings, showing signs of subsidence, with a lamentably slow response from the Prison Service to address these safety issues.
- Ongoing extreme dissatisfaction with the performance of Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) in maintenance and repairs.
- The failure to install scanning equipment at the open site, hindering security and the prevention of illicit items.
- Poor telephony provision, which is inconsistent with the need to enhance prisoners’ family contact.
- The concern that early release protocols could diminish the rehabilitative role and operational capacity of open prisons like Standford Hill.
- Unhappy with the condition of laundry equipment and a persistent roof leak in the laundry, impacting clean clothing provision.
- The lack of a Christian minister operating in the prison during the reporting year.

- Deteriorating safety due to increased violence, assaults on staff, and poorly handled anti-social behaviour.
- Weaknesses in key safeguards: Detention Gatekeeper not robust, insufficient use of Rule 34/35 assessments, and unacceptable wait times for Rule 35 appointments.
- Inadequate mental health provision and an over-reliance on untrained officers to manage complex needs.
- Unfair and inhumane treatment including indefinite detention, increased lock-in times, blanket use of control-and-restraint, and excessive handcuffing.
- Problems with accommodation, cleanliness, and ventilation, exacerbated by pervasive smoking.
- Failure to establish effective release pathways, leading to extended detention for those granted bail, and lack of meaningful access to legal advice.
- Concerns about fairness of the complaints process and inadequate pay for work and daily allowances.
- Significant increase in illicit substances within the centres, with indications of staff involvement in supply.

- Many prisoners with severe mental ill health and personality disorders are continuing to be sent to prison.
- Lack of funding for a body scanner.
- Custodial transport services create trauma for women and adversely impact reception processes.
- Delays in prisoner access to healthcare and mental health support.
- IMB's lack of opportunity to attend adjudications.
- Improvement of relationship between IMB and Governor.

- Widespread dissatisfaction among prisoners regarding food quality and quantity.
- Persistent issues with missing or lost prisoner property, particularly for incoming prisoners and internal movement.
- Ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in mental health services, including a psychologist vacancy, leading to insufficient provision and delayed mental health transfers.
- Absence of a mental health professional during CSU good order reviews for prisoners with significant mental health concerns.
- Officers not consistently activating body-worn video cameras early enough to capture the full context of use of force incidents.

- Chronic and severe understaffing with high inexperience levels, significantly undermining prison function and regime delivery.
- Unsafe environment characterized by high deaths in custody (10, with 6 self-inflicted), increased self-harm, and easy access to illicit items including drugs and weapons.
- Inhumane living conditions due to severe overcrowding (over 1,200 prisoners sharing single cells), squalid, poorly maintained cells, and frequent shortages of basic kit, compounded by intermittent hot water and heating.
- The new multi-million-pound healthcare centre remaining unused for over two years, while existing healthcare units (Addison and Jones wards) are unfit for purpose and undersized.
- The termination of the effective Remand Project, removing crucial support for remand prisoners.
- Inadequate support for foreign nationals, who constitute almost 50% of the population, following the termination of the BEST contract.

- The significant proportion of inexperienced staff.
- The time taken to address and resolve issues within the prison.
- Persistent long waiting times for mental health transfers to secure units.
- The increasing number of prisoners with severe mental health problems in the segregation unit.
- The halted cell refurbishment program due to increased prison population, exacerbating the problem of peeling paint in cells.
- High rates of missed medical appointments by prisoners.
- Many prisoners are unaware of who their key worker is.
- The ongoing problem with the lack of sufficient dementia training for staff.

- The Government's rejection of re-sentencing for IPP prisoners.
- The negative impact of temporary presumptive recategorisation scheme (TPRS) on prisoner engagement and meaningful preparation for release.
- Insufficient investment in the open estate for capital projects and maintenance, alongside the ineffective Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework.
- Lack of a dedicated search dog for Hollesley Bay and the issue of late prisoner arrivals at prisons without 24-hour healthcare provision.
- The absence of a key worker scheme in the open estate, which could offer valuable support to prisoners nearing release.
- The continued need for single rooms across the establishment and the slow, cumbersome medication dispensing arrangements.