IMB Annual Reports

- Re-sentencing of IPP prisoners is not being addressed by the Government.
- Staffing issues, including a significant number overdue for control and restraint training, and understaffing in the Offender Management Unit (OMU).
- The kitchen is too small and equipped with broken items, affecting food quality; there are also too few opportunities for prisoners to cook for themselves.
- Mental health provision needs development, as the official caseload is very low compared to the number of men reporting mental health issues.
- Outcomes for English and mathematics courses are poor, exacerbated by staff sickness and lack of cover.
- The OMU building project is well behind schedule, and there are concerns about OMU staff conduct and delays in ROTL checks.
- There is no planned programme of decoration for residential units, leading to some looking tired.

- Significant concerns about physical safety and fire risks at Swinderby RSTHF, exacerbated by the decision to keep the centre open during extensive floor works and the associated suspension of critical safety measures and internet access.
- Inadequate reception interview processes at Swinderby RSTHF, which compromise the identification of vulnerable detainees, including those at risk of self-harm, torture, modern slavery, or sexual abuse.
- Systemic failure to implement Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) requirements locally at Swinderby, potentially leading to under-identification of individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm.
- The inhumane and dangerous Home Office policy preventing detainees from accessing their prescribed medication across STHFs.
- Persistent unsuitability of certain holding rooms (e.g., Leeds Bradford Airport, Port of Hull) for immigration detention, leading to concerns about extended detentions and the lack of hot food provision.
- Restrictions on the IMB's access to full port case files, preventing adequate discharge of monitoring duties and compromising oversight of detainee welfare.

- The increase in use of force incidents (7 in 2023 vs 2 in 2022) is a trend the Board will monitor.
- The prison's ageing accommodation infrastructure restricts the use of electrical items and their capacity.
- Chaplaincy services have been diminished due to recruitment issues.
- Prisoners transferred under the Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation System (TPRS) often have insufficient time remaining to fully engage with Category D resettlement and training opportunities.
- There are ongoing issues with prisoner property being mislaid or going missing during transfers between establishments, particularly from privately managed prisons.
- Opportunities for prisoners to gain accredited vocational training and qualifications within the prison's industries are limited.

- Increased self-harm and violence, linked to unsuitable transfers, drug debt, and new gang activity.
- Deteriorating prison buildings, with many wings barely meeting acceptable accommodation standards.
- Critical shortage of probation officers significantly impacting prisoner progression, offender management, and the success of early release schemes.
- Persistent issues with property loss during transfers and CSU moves, alongside ineffective volumetric property control.
- Delays to activities and missed healthcare appointments due to the dysfunctional escort system and absence of controlled freeflow.
- The ongoing challenge of insufficient suitable bail accommodation and too many prisoners being released without housing.

- Significant increase in self-harm incidents and inconsistent welfare checks.
- Persistent issues with illicit substances despite enhanced security.
- Use of segregation for prisoners with complex mental health needs.
- Key working system not delivered as planned.
- Continued loss of prisoner property, causing stress and anxiety.
- Poor performance of Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) impacting decent living conditions.
- Discrimination faced by disabled prisoners in gaining work.
- Serious decline in healthcare attendance at first ACCT reviews.
- Time out of cell not improving for non-employed/educated prisoners.
- Unacceptably low numbers in vocational jobs and staff shortages impacting training.
- Lack of hope of release for IPP prisoners negatively impacting their wellbeing.
- Lack of long-term plan for appropriate mental health provision in the secure estate.
- Uncertainty about ancillary facilities matching needs for the increased prison population.
- Offending behaviour programmes eligibility not assessed prior to transfer.
- Need for a review of the allocations process for job roles.

- The co-location of female detainees with male Foreign National Offenders transferred from prisons at Manchester Residential STHF poses a high safety risk.
- East Midlands Airport holding room lacks fitted and operational CCTV, hot food, and television facilities.
- There is no secure vehicle bay at Holyhead Port for the transfer of detainees, compromising safety and dignity.
- Significant delays in rectifying structural and equipment deficiencies across facilities.
- Detained individuals are still being denied access to prescribed medication in holding rooms.
- Most facilities rely on NHS ambulance services for medical advice, lacking dedicated medical professionals.
- Detainees at Holyhead Port are visible to the public during transfers, impacting privacy and dignity.
- The practice of holding detainees in Controlled Waiting Areas at East Midlands Airport rather than proper holding rooms.

- Increased availability of illicit substances and drone activity affecting safety.
- Significant increase in prisoner-on-prisoner violence.
- Poor condition of cell windows and outside exercise yards, impacting living conditions, security, and dignity.
- Persistent concerns over food quantity and quality and menu choices.
- Delays in property reaching prisoners on transfer, a long-standing and unaddressed issue.
- Inadequate number of workspaces and instructors, leading to poor prisoner engagement in purposeful activity and resettlement challenges.
- Difficulties in facilitating hospital appointments and limited drug/alcohol rehabilitation.

- The continued detention of IPP prisoners long after they have served the punitive part of their sentences is inhumane, with no courses, programmes or psychological support to help them progress towards release.
- The congestion and delays in the criminal justice system are straining prison resources by causing an influx of short-sentence prisoners and reducing the availability of low-risk orderlies.
- The prison is overcrowded, with 9.3% of prisoners held in single cells doubled-up for two, lacking adequate privacy and personal space.
- Drugs remain rife due to inadequate physical barriers (netting, windows) and insufficient support for prisoners to give up substance misuse.
- The housing crisis and shortage of approved premises mean approximately half of released prisoners face homelessness and rough sleeping.
- There are not enough training and education places available, with only about 400 places for over 1,000 prisoners.
- The prison has few facilities for disabled prisoners, poor wheelchair access, and long distances between wings and facilities.

- The substantial increase in self-harm incidents and ACCTs opened, alongside a significant rise in prisoner assaults on staff.
- Overcrowding issues, leading to the conversion of single cells into doubles, raising concerns about dignity and wellbeing.
- Limited purposeful activity and time out of cell, with many prisoners restricted to half-time work and a minimum of two hours out of cell for some.
- Continuing concerns for IPP prisoners, with work interruptions due to early release schemes and some remaining "stuck" without their needs being met.
- Lack of consistency in monitoring meetings for use of force, equalities, and health, and a need to expand the range of recognised education qualifications.

- Detained people are often confused during processing at WJF and lack information about their 'process journey' and length of stay.
- Interviews at KIU and Manston lack privacy, making it difficult for detainees to disclose vulnerabilities or sensitive information.
- Isolation units at WJF are deemed inadequate, inappropriate, and unsatisfactory, despite UKHSA deeming them satisfactory.
- Cleaning standards for portaloos at WJF were often unacceptable, and showers at KIU were prone to flooding with slow repairs.
- Detainees at Manston still sleep on floor mats, and RHR recreational rooms are inadequate for the number of men they serve.
- The Board does not consistently receive 'Safer Detention & Security Reports', hindering its monitoring capabilities.

- Self-harm continues to be a major concern, with an increased number of ACCT documents opened.
- Constant changes to the regime, primarily due to staff shortages, cause unrest amongst prisoners and reduce time out of cell.
- The Segregation Unit is frequently full, holding many men with serious and complex mental health needs for excessively long periods due to lack of suitable placements.
- The prison estate is in grave disrepair, with significant leaks in roofs, broken flooring, and inadequate heating/ventilation systems, requiring urgent capital investment.
- Staffing shortages persist across the prison, impacting key worker effectiveness, OMU performance, and leading to an inexperienced workforce.
- The ongoing injustice of the indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) seriously damages prisoners and needs to be resolved.
- Major concerns continue regarding the transport of prisoners’ property between establishments, causing losses and compensation claims.
- Long backlogs in searching and distributing prisoner post and packages result in significant delays.

- Prolonged waits for secure mental health beds for segregated prisoners.
- Lack of implementation of HMPPS strategy for IPP prisoners, whose numbers are rising.
- Continuing issues with internal property going missing, particularly during cell moves.
- Slow progress on kitchen infrastructure repairs and maintenance/replacement of food trollies.
- External audit of Discrimination Incident Report Forms (DIRFs) has not yet taken place.
- Continued double occupancy of cells designed for single use.

- Unfair and inhumane treatment of returnees due to night operations and excessively long periods of confinement in vehicles, sometimes for over nine hours, to reach departure airports selected by HOIE.
- Inadequate and unreliable provision of interpreting services, with continued instances of English-speaking returnees being asked to interpret for others, despite HOIE and C&C policy.
- An increase in the use of restraint compared to the previous year, with concerns about whether its application was for the minimum time possible and inconsistencies in documentation and filming.
- Significant concerns regarding the removal of vulnerable individuals, including those with mental health issues or at risk of self-harm, and the process of their transfer and care during removal.
- Potential breaches of medical confidentiality, as medication and medical notes were handed over to Albanian authorities rather than directly to returnees.
- Safety issues with coach drivers, including erratic driving, ignoring diversion signs, and suspected fatigue.

- Transfer of seriously mentally ill prisoners
- Men leaving prison without accommodation
- Short-sentence prisoners transferred to prisons some distance away
- Need for significant capital investment
- Provision of meaningful work in workshops
- Induction of vulnerable prisoners and those with additional needs
- More systematic key working
- My Recovery Unit

- Safety and fire safety implications due to overcrowding, particularly at Luton Airport, with luggage over-spilling into corridors.
- Inadequate provision for detainees with mobility, hearing, or sight impairments, despite repeated commitments to a Disability Access Review.
- The STHF at the Port of Felixstowe is deemed unsuitable and inhumane, being dilapidated and lacking basic facilities.
- Insufficient sleeping arrangements, including a lack of mattresses and separate sleeping spaces for different genders or vulnerable individuals, forcing people to sleep on floors or chairs.
- Regular and prolonged detention of individuals for over 24 hours in STHFs not designed for long stays, lacking showers, exercise areas, and privacy.
- Lack of privacy during initial inductions and medical assessments by Aeromed professionals at airport STHFs.
- Persistent delays in resolving maintenance and repair issues at airport facilities, despite being raised in previous reports.
- Delays in contractual support from Clearsprings, causing detainees to wait many hours for transfers to asylum accommodation.
- Border Force-managed STHFs are unable to serve hot food or drinks due to unresolved UK Food Safety requirements.
- Faulty payphones and the lack of internet calling services (e.g., WhatsApp) hindering family contact for detainees.
- The use of handcuffs at Luton Airport when detainees are moved through public areas, deemed non-compliant with STHF Rule 11.
- Potential safety risks due to staffing arrangements where only one C&C officer may be available while others perform escort duties.
- Property storage at Stansted and Luton is not consistently secure, with cages observed unlocked and luggage overflowing into kitchen areas.

- Many prisoners eligible for the Early Removal Scheme (ERS) do not leave at the earliest opportunity, delaying deportations and increasing costs.
- HMP Morton Hall routinely operates below its 353 roll capacity, despite reported prison overcrowding elsewhere.
- More than one in ten prisoners leave on immigration bail without their cases being decided, rather than being deported.
- Systems for inter-prison property transfer have not improved, leading to high prisoner frustration and complaints.
- The daily food cost allowance of £2.72 is challenging given inflation, resulting in reliance on carbohydrates and persistent issues with canteen delivery quality and refunds.
- There is a consistently high percentage of prisoners who are unemployed or seeking work, and insufficient meaningful content in some available jobs.
- The library frequently closes due to staff absence, and there is a lack of purposeful activity for prisoners in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
- The absence of a managing chaplain for the entire year adversely impacted chaplaincy support.

- A high proportion of vulnerable 'adults at risk' with mental health issues remain in detention for long periods, even after release is authorised or after Rule 35(3) reports indicating torture concerns.
- The remote location of Derwentside and its inadequate communications infrastructure lead to inhumane, unequal treatment, including frequent and disruptive night-time transfers. This is a repeated concern.
- Important facilities in Block 4, such as induction and care suites and a cultural kitchen, remain unopened over two years after the centre opened.
- The quality, variety, and portion sizes of food are a frequent source of dissatisfaction, and processes for managing food allergies are not failsafe.
- Provision for education and purposeful activities has significantly reduced and is insufficient, impacting women's wellbeing.
- Deficiencies in the availability and effective use of translation services contribute to social isolation for non-English speakers. This is a repeated concern.

- Tight staffing levels led to continued rotational lockdowns and prisoners spending more time in cells, affecting education and work attendance.
- There was an increase in incidents of violence between prisoners and assaults on staff, particularly in the segregation unit.
- The number of self-harm incidents rose significantly, involving complex prisoners.
- Drug testing capacity remained reduced, and higher levels of testing could be achieved.
- Insufficient work opportunities led to 23% of eligible prisoners being unemployed, and long-planned woodworking workshops failed to open.
- Delays in searching and distributing new prisoners' property caused waits of up to seven weeks.
- There was a shortfall in qualified psychologists, restricting consultancy time in discrete units.
- Some cell and shower recess areas remained in poor condition.

- The prison is not safe enough, with increasing prisoner-on-prisoner and prisoner-on-staff assaults, a rise in self-harm, in-cell fires, and significant weapons finds, influenced by readily available illegal drugs and inexperienced staff.
- Insufficient oversight and accountability for custody officers, particularly concerning the use of force, with a culture not focused on prisoner needs and support.
- The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) is overused, with too many prisoners segregated for long or very long periods without effective reintegration plans or meaningful regimes, including vulnerable ACCT prisoners.
- A lack of meaningful education programmes, full-time work, and structured on-wing activity has led to prisoners spending long periods in their cells.
- The prison complaints system was not fully effective, with significant delays or failures to respond to prisoners' written submissions and Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs).
- Poor living conditions persisted for the majority of the year, with the prison often filthy, strewn with rubbish, and lacking access to cleaning materials for prisoners.
- Healthcare services are under great pressure, with provision delivered to a lower standard than in the community, exacerbated by staff shortages for escorts and a lack of support for prisoners in crisis and at risk of self-harm.
- There is no dedicated resettlement staff or provision for housing support, and a failure to provide sufficient offender behaviour programmes and drug treatment courses compromises prisoner progression and risk reduction.

- Significant increases in assaults and illicit item finds.
- Prisoners failing medical algorithm still held in segregation (CSRU), with an increase in long stays.
- Lack of key work and too few key workers impacting prisoner support.
- Ongoing issues with property loss, especially during transfers.
- Unacceptable conditions of old showers and deterioration of new ones due to poor ventilation.
- Major concerns about accessibility for prisoners with mobility issues due to broken lifts.
- Insufficient prison probation workers in OMU leading to huge caseloads and lack of face-to-face contact.
- Poor education attendance rates and insufficient education/employment opportunities, particularly for vulnerable prisoners.
- Overcrowding leading to transfers of prisoners unable to cope with Category C regime, increasing violence.
- Poor cleanliness and lack of portion control in houseblock serveries.

- The inappropriate use of F wing, which houses vulnerable prisoners, as an overflow for newly arrived prisoners, and the use of CSU for constant supervision or prisoners on open ACCTs.
- Significant increases in self-harm incidents (27%) and prisoner-on-prisoner violence (67%).
- Persistent poor infrastructure, including heating and hot water supply issues, and inadequate repair and maintenance services, especially in older parts of the prison.
- Lengthy waiting times for mental health assessments and psychiatry provision, coupled with medication safety breaches through unobserved hatches and ligature risks.
- Limited time out of cell for prisoners, particularly at weekends, and insufficient purposeful activity places for the entire population.
- Disproportionality in segregation unit placements and incentives scheme for Asian, Muslim, and Black/Black British prisoners.

- The continuation of high levels of self-harm among prisoners with complex mental health needs, who often remain in the establishment rather than being transferred to specialist facilities.
- Spikes in violence, prisoner debt, substance misuse, and a doubling of use of force incidents.
- Inadequate privacy in double cells, lack of toilet seats, and prisoners forced to eat next to toilets during lockdowns.
- Persistent estate maintenance issues, including poor cell ventilation, broken equipment in exercise yards, and poor drainage.
- Delayed and inconsistent responses to prisoner complaints, with a lack of updates provided to prisoners.
- The ongoing issue of lost or delayed prisoner property during transfers between prisons, causing significant anxiety.
- Half-empty classrooms and underutilisation of workshops, indicating a need for increased purposeful activity and association time.
- Constraints and costs associated with social video calls, impacting family contact for prisoners from distant areas.
- The frequent curtailment of the prison regime, particularly evening and weekend activities, due to limited staff availability and the deployment of Lancaster Farms staff to other prisons.
- The ineffective key worker scheme, with prisoners often unaware of their key worker or not receiving regular contact.
- The under-resourced chaplaincy team, with several faith groups lacking designated chaplains.
- Extended waiting times for healthcare, with GP appointments up to three weeks and dental appointments up to 17 weeks.
- A high proportion (43%) of neurodivergent prisoners requiring additional assessment and support, with concerns about staff awareness and impact on incentive schemes.
- Staffing pressures due to vacancies and sickness, resulting in the prison running on only 60% of relevant staffing for offender management.

- A persistent lack of spaces in Approved Premises delays prisoner release.
- The food budget has not kept pace with inflation, impacting meal provision.
- Delays in the release and resettlement of IPP prisoners are a significant injustice.
- Inefficiency and staff shortages in the external probation service (COMs) hinder progression.
- The absence of in-cell telephony negatively impacts family contact and privacy.
- Facilities and staffing levels need to increase in proportion to the planned rise in operational capacity.
- A changing population demographic (younger, fewer sexual offenders) is linked to increased bullying, intimidation, and drug/alcohol finds.
- Property transfer and storage issues continue to cause frustration and misplaced items.
- Long waiting lists persist for some healthcare services, despite overall positive feedback.
- Concerns from HMIP regarding the quality and suitability of education, skills, and work provision for employment on release.
- Staff shortages limit the availability of vocational training courses and secure social video calling.

- Lack of essential data for monitoring vulnerable adults, self-harm, and use of force since July 2023.
- Extended waits for detainees in CWAs and holding rooms due to insufficient Border Force officers and Clearsprings delays, with 4.4% of adults held over 24 hours.
- Persistent issues with interpretation services, including delays, unavailability of languages, and DCOs failing to offer translation or remind detainees of their rights.
- Inadequate holding room conditions for extended stays, including insufficient mattresses/blankets, uncontrolled low temperatures, lack of natural light, poor shower/toilet seat maintenance, and no internet access.
- Detainees at London City Airport and Eaton House continue to lack access to their own prescribed medication.
- Unaccompanied children in CWAs often lack a responsible adult and suitable facilities.

- High levels of violence and illicit substances persist, despite increased security measures.
- Ongoing issue of overcrowding, with the prison receiving many short-sentence prisoners not suited for its training designation, hindering progression.
- Significant delays in transferring prisoners with complex mental health needs from the CSU to appropriate external facilities.
- Persistent problems with lost property during transfers and difficulties with compensation claims.
- Acute shortage of experienced operational staff, leading to issues with key worker duties and escorts, impacting regime.
- Healthcare applications are not processed in a timely manner, and there are long waits for mental health transfers.
- Prisoners' canteen orders are often incorrect, and refunds are delayed, negatively affecting morale.

- Overcrowding and the poor condition of the Victorian buildings, impacting humane living conditions and purposeful activity.
- Persistent high levels of violence and self-harm compared to similar prisons, despite efforts to improve safety.
- Unsuitable and deteriorating conditions in the temporary Care and Separation Unit (CSU), causing concern for the humane treatment and wellbeing of segregated prisoners.
- The CCTV system remains unfit for purpose, creating safety and security vulnerabilities and hindering effective incident management.
- Major challenges in delivering purposeful activity and expanding regime opportunities due to rapid prisoner turnover.
- Continuing deficiencies in the systems for managing prisoners’ property, leading to a high volume of complaints and resentment over perceived unfairness.
- A significant lack of suitable accommodation available for some prisoners on their release, identified as a key factor in post-release deaths by the PPO.

- Persistent issues with the loss and delay of prisoners' property, both during transfer between establishments and within HMP Highpoint.
- The maintenance service provided by Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL) continues to be a major concern, with significant backlogs and untimely completion of works.
- The prison remains vulnerable to illicit 'throw-overs' due to unrepaired netting, leading to contraband entry and a negative impact on prisoner health.
- A significant increase was observed in self-harm incidents, violent incidents, and assaults on staff, with drug debt identified as a major driver.
- The bereavement counselling service is frequently oversubscribed, with a shortage of counsellors to meet demand.
- Difficulties with social care referrals are noted due to an officer's redeployment and an 'user unfriendly' online portal.

- Increase in violence affecting prisoners and staff.
- Continuing availability of drugs and high positive MDT results.
- High rates of self-harm, an 87% increase this year.
- Overcrowding, with the prison operating at near or full capacity.
- Rising staff sickness/absence and high staff turnover.
- Insufficient purposeful activity places, exacerbated by staff shortages and prisoner non-attendance.
- Concerns about the emerging three-tier accommodation standard due to expansion plans and lack of funding for older wings.
- Specialist activities and key work sessions are frequently cancelled or staff redeployed due to shortages.
- Delays in holding inquests for deaths in custody remain a concern.
- Lack of meaningful data on disabilities and very poor physical facilities for disabled prisoners.
- Complex mental health needs of prisoners in CSU, questioning the suitability of placement.
- Adjudications are often poorly prepared, leading to delays and cases collapsing.

- The continued deterioration of the prison's buildings and slow progress on essential repairs are negatively impacting the daily life and wellbeing of prisoners.
- An increase in disorder, violence, and use of force is directly linked to the growing young offender population and the high volume of illicit items entering the prison.
- Persistent staffing shortages, especially in the Offender Management Unit, hinder prisoner progression and reduce employment outcomes upon release.
- The quality of food remains poor, exacerbated by non-working kitchen equipment and an inflexible single-supplier catering contract.
- Overcrowding in cells designed for single occupancy and the lack of proper WC screening violate Government guidelines for cell-sharing.
- Ofsted assessed all five main areas of the prison as 'requires improvement', highlighting deficiencies in educational and vocational provision.

- Overcrowding: 30% of prisoners share cells designed for single use, an increase from the previous year, causing cramped conditions and lack of privacy.
- Prisoner 'churn': The high turnover of short-stay prisoners due to the resettlement designation negatively impacts meaningful education, employment, and resettlement planning.
- Mental Health Transfers: Significant delays in transferring prisoners with serious mental health issues or those sectioned under the Mental Health Act to secure hospitals.
- Purposeful Activity: Insufficient education, skills, and work places, contributing to high unemployment and low attendance, with tasks often lacking challenge.
- Property Issues: Persistent problems with prisoner property loss and complaints, especially during transfers, which has worsened despite proactive approaches.
- Key Worker Scheme: The need to improve the quality and effectiveness of the key worker scheme, which is vital for a safe and effective establishment.

- The persistent influx of illicit items and drugs, and their associated debt problems, undermining safety within the prison.
- Significant, long-standing issues with the antiquated heating, hot water systems, and irreparable cell windows, which create unacceptable living conditions for prisoners.
- The dilapidated healthcare building (with water ingress) and critical delays in transferring mentally unwell prisoners to appropriate NHS facilities, compromising their well-being.
- Ongoing problems with lost or missing prisoner property during transfers and a high number of prisoners arriving close to their Early Release Scheme date, hindering effective resettlement and deportation processes.
- Operational inefficiencies, such as inaccurate roll calls, which frequently prevent prisoners from accessing purposeful activities, education, and healthcare appointments, further compounded by staffing pressures in key departments.
- Limited exercise opportunities for prisoners in the segregation unit due to the main yard being out of bounds.

- Significant increase in violent incidents and deaths in custody.
- Aging and poorly maintained infrastructure (laundry, heating, workshops, double cells).
- Chronic staffing shortages impacting key worker schemes, OMU, healthcare, and education.
- Inconsistent and restrictive regime for older prisoners.
- Issues with food distribution and quality control in the servery.
- Delays in complaint resolution and property management issues.

- The persistent lack of mental health provision for prisoners, including delays in appropriate placements, is a repeated concern.
- The inappropriate use of the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) to house severe mental health cases, with some remaining beyond 42 days, significantly impacts their well-being and staff.
- Recruitment challenges within the mental health team and for key healthcare positions persist.
- Education suffers from very low attendance rates (often 50%) and early session closures, leading to substantial lost learning time.
- There are limited opportunities for engagement in arts (drama, music) within the curriculum.
- Issues with prisoner property going missing during cell clearances or transfers remain a problem.
- The single Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) struggles with an overwhelming caseload for the growing prison population.

- Delays in Ministerial responses to Parole Board recommendations.
- Lack of capital funding for upgrading old buildings and facilities, and repairing outdoor sports surfaces.
- The growing problem of men who are Out Of Therapy (OOT) unable to move out of Grendon.
- Ongoing delays in the fire and safety project delivery schedule.
- The night sanitation system failing to meet minimum decency and hygiene standards, suffering operational problems and unreliability.
- An inadequate budget to fund a fairer wage for prisoners, not keeping pace with inflation.
- A major rat infestation impacting the living and working environment.
- Serious cell call bell faults, including a non-working intercom and a nearly 3-hour response time to an in-cell call.
- A marked drop in patient satisfaction with healthcare services.
- Limited access to aggregate and time-series healthcare data, hindering effective monitoring.
- Persistent vacancies and shortages of professional therapy staff.
- Education delivery constrained by staff shortages and men being pulled from sessions.
- Key lock compromises almost doubled compared to the previous year.
- The cessation of external scrutiny for discrimination incident report forms (DIRFs).

- The quality of accommodation in older huts remains very poor, and the decaying infrastructure hampers the prison's functioning and preparation for release.
- A major rat infestation persisted for much of the year, leading to inhumane living conditions and distress among men.
- Ongoing staff shortages, particularly in OMU and Activities, delay prisoner boarding, limit job opportunities, and affect healthcare and education provision.
- The paucity of data continues to hamper the Board's ability to effectively assess healthcare provision and the health complaints system.
- Prisoner pay levels have fallen well behind price increases, with no pay award this year, contributing to an erosion of morale.
- Issues with outside probation continue to delay men's access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), and the problems have worsened.

- The increasing number of prisoners arriving with short sentences, preventing them from fully benefiting from resettlement and ROTL opportunities.
- Delays in accessing Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) and overall release planning due to staffing pressures within community offender manager (COM) teams.
- The prison not being at full capacity, indicating closed prisons may not be effectively identifying suitable women for transfer.
- The continued use of shared-cell accommodation, which is often disliked by women transitioning from single cells in closed prisons.
- Problems with the availability of the prisoner driver, exacerbating travel costs and limiting work options for some prisoners.
- Concerns regarding the level of in-house prisoner pay, exacerbated by inflation, affecting prisoners' ability to afford essentials and home leave.
- Prisoners' fear of return to closed conditions if they make complaints, and an increase in reported verbal abuse from staff.

- Marked increases in violence (prisoner-on-prisoner assaults +31%, prisoner-on-staff assaults +66%) and self-harm incidents (+40%) compared to the previous year.
- Persistent issues with cleanliness, particularly in serveries and first-night cells, and unaddressed cell bells.
- A notable increase in Segregation Unit placements, alongside a critical lack of data on protected characteristics and difficulty for the Board to attend GOoD reviews.
- Loss of prisoner property remains a significant and repeated problem, exacerbated by an unreliable manual, paper-based system.
- Staffing levels, particularly the high number of 'ineffective' staff, continue to negatively impact regime delivery, including access to education, healthcare, and faith services.
- The limited range of accredited rehabilitation programmes at HMP/YOI Isis necessitates transfers for prisoners requiring other courses, while broken cell windows remain largely unfixed.

- The IMB faced challenges in observing detainees first-hand, requiring a mechanism for prompt notification of detentions.
- Concerns were raised about the length of detention for some minors, particularly at Portsmouth, due to delays in social services collection and transport provision.
- Record-keeping was consistently poor across most sites, with incomplete, unsigned, and undated documents, incorrect detention times, and key sections (e.g., risk indicators, medications, food allergies) not properly completed.
- The withdrawal of hot food and, at times, hot beverages, and delays in its restoration, was a significant concern.
- Detainees were often held in Controlled Waiting Areas (CWAs) for significant lengths of time without access to showering facilities, mattresses, or privacy, often due to staff shortages.
- Delays in arranging transfers and transport by other organisations, such as MITIE and Clearsprings, led to prolonged detention periods.

- The deteriorating fabric and infrastructure of Gartree, including inadequate facilities for older/disabled prisoners and persistent heating issues.
- Ongoing challenges in accessing timely and adequate mental health services, and the Board's struggle to obtain meaningful healthcare data.
- The significant increase in the use of force incidents and the continued influx of drugs and illicit items, impacting safety and order.
- Insufficient range and equitable access to purposeful activities, with some education now self-taught in cells reducing time out of cell.
- Lack of clear and consistent fire safety drills and information for prisoners and staff.
- Prolonged segregation of some prisoners due to lack of alternative accommodation and the impact on their mental health.

- High levels of self-harm.
- Increased use of force, disproportionately affecting young adults.
- Inadequate accommodation in CSU and D wing.
- Staffing issues impacting key working and leading to a high proportion of inexperienced officers.
- Delays in parole decisions and failure to meet mental health transfer targets.
- Significant number of missed healthcare appointments and inadequate healthcare facilities (e.g., dispensing hatch, clinical space).
- Problems with property access, unaddressed applications, and ongoing heating/hot water issues.
- Lack of data analysis on protected characteristics and poor quality/timeliness of Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs).
- Homelessness on release and lack of reliable library and accessible education for disabled prisoners.

- The impact of staff detachment to other prisons, leading to education cancellations and an inability to maintain a full operational regime.
- Persistent issues with drugs, violence, and debt making Deerbolt unsafe for some, exacerbated by regime limitations due to low staffing.
- The ongoing low level of key worker sessions (30%) for the third consecutive year, limiting one-to-one engagement and causing prisoner confusion.
- Significant delays in wing refurbishments and laundry upgrades, impacting staff resources, regime stability, and prisoner property handling, compounded by a lack of funding for new laundry equipment.
- The limited variety of educational opportunities for the increasingly older prison population and frequent short-notice cancellations of classes.
- Difficulties for IPP prisoners in understanding release requirements and the prison's capacity to support their progression, alongside a lack of in-house Kaizen courses.

- The increased prisoner roll, including many younger prisoners with more non-associates, has adversely affected overall stability.
- Continued uncertainty with daily regimes, due to shortage of experienced staff, has increased prisoner frustration, mental health issues and levels of self-harm.
- Access to mobile phones and drugs, regularly delivered by illegal drones, poses a serious risk to safety and control, fuelling illicit trading, bullying, debt and increased violence.
- Investment is urgently required to upgrade obsolete and faulty security systems and raise the standard of property services’ maintenance to an acceptable level.
- Prisoners spent far too much time locked in their cells due to the unpredictable regime, exacerbated by the very poor state of infrastructure and inadequate maintenance.
- Four wings lack running water and in-cell sanitation, which falls below modern standards of decency for nearly half the prisoner population.

- Persistent drug and alcohol use, driving debt, violence, and OCG influence, with prisoner-on-prisoner assaults remaining unacceptably high.
- Ineffective implementation of Challenge, Support and Intervention Plans (CSIPs) and poorly developed ACCT documents when multiple cases are open.
- Insufficient rigor in cell sharing risk assessments (CSRAs), exacerbated by increased operational capacity and prisoner refusal to share cells.
- Unacceptable conditions in the estate, including mildew in cells and a multi-faith room unfit for purpose due to water ingress.
- An unacceptably long waiting list for dental treatment.
- Underutilisation of education provision, low attendance at work, and insufficient work placements, coupled with a lack of incentives.
- HMPPS's inadequate response to drone incursions and the declining standards of decency, including general untidiness and hygiene concerns in servery areas.
- Ongoing issues with lost prisoner property, particularly during cell clearances, leading to numerous complaints and compensation payments.

- The poor and dilapidated condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, repeatedly raised since 1999, remains unresolved and requires replacement.
- A significant increase in self-harm incidents, particularly among a small number of women, and increased levels of violence, reflecting a more complex and challenging prison population.
- Population pressures and rapid turnover, including women serving short sentences, destabilise the prison and challenge its rehabilitative ethos.
- Persistent and systemic problems with prisoners' property being delayed or lost on transfer, causing unnecessary distress and remaining unresolved across the prison estate.
- The need for healthcare currently outstrips available resources, especially for complex mental health needs, and problems with roll call lead to cancelled appointments.
- Plans for a major capital programme to increase operational capacity and develop the prison's function have been put on hold, which is seen as a retrograde step.
- Inconsistent application of rules, inappropriate staff behaviour, and inadequate delivery of key work sessions due to operational pressures.
- The persistent problem of prisoners trading prescription medications, despite previous recommendations for better control, posing safety risks.

- Illicit items and contraband remain a significant issue.
- The segregation unit is sometimes used for long periods to house prisoners with severe mental health issues due to long waits for NHS transfers.
- Meaningful out of cell time remains a concern.
- Property issues, including items going missing during transfers within the prison, are ongoing.
- Low completion rate (30%) of key worker sessions.
- Challenges in managing onward movement of prisoners who disrupt transfers.

- IPP sentences causing psychological distress and being inhumane.
- Persistent loss of prisoners' property, particularly during transfers between prisons.
- Inconsistencies and confusion among prisoners regarding sentence management.
- Limited community support adversely affecting prisoners on discharge.
- Inadequate prior treatment of prisoners in other establishments before transfer to Haverigg.
- Reluctance of some employers to hire ex-PCoSO prisoners.

- Overcrowding and increased population pressures are stretching prison resources and impacting safety.
- Acute and chronic staffing shortages severely affect all prison services, including regime, healthcare, and probation.
- Many prisoners spend 22 or more hours per day locked in their cells with limited access to purposeful activity, education, and socialisation.
- Unacceptable delays persist for mental health transfers to secure hospitals, and waiting times for routine assessments have increased significantly.
- The antiquated prison infrastructure, including broken lifts and an unreliable cell bell system, is unsuitable for an increasing number of elderly and mobility-impaired prisoners, particularly wheelchair users.
- Food provision is consistently of poor quality, quantity, and nutritional value, leading to much food being thrown away.
- A disproportionate number of black prisoners are segregated and involved in use of force incidents.
- Through-the-gate support and probation services are patchy and delayed, impacting resettlement and property management.

- Increase in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and concerns regarding the physical security infrastructure to prevent drone use.
- Significant delays in accessing transfers to secure hospitals for prisoners in urgent need of mental health treatment.
- The staffing profile raises concern due to a reduction in experienced prison officers, impacting quality of support and prisoner safety.
- Too many prisoners are not meaningfully engaged in education or work opportunities, and the astroturf sports pitch has been unavailable for several years.
- The Board is concerned about prisoners substantially over tariff on IPP sentences.
- Challenges persist with the timely receipt of prisoner property and managing prisoners in segregation who refuse to leave.

- Continued delays in transferring women with complex mental health needs to secure hospitals due to national bed shortages.
- Fluctuating staffing levels consistently impacted prisoner wellbeing, rehabilitation, and regime delivery.
- The significant increase in the use of force incidents (517 this year) and the need for clear HMPPS guidance on its criteria.
- Under-utilisation of the new activities centre despite its completion.
- Challenges in securing adequate accommodation for prisoners upon release and the lack of reliable data to track progress.
- The cessation of funding for the One Women’s Centre, an initiative with great potential for resettlement support.
- A 128% rise in self-harm incidents compared to the previous year, with a small number of women contributing to a large proportion of these.
- Shortages of larger underwear sizes and poor availability of chest binders.
- Outstanding maintenance jobs (181) and critical safety concerns regarding Personal Evacuation and Emergency Plans (PEEP) not matching records.
- Restrictions on library and some chaplaincy services due to staffing levels and escort availability.

- Overcrowding and its impact on prisoner dignity, exacerbated by the necessity of mixing vulnerable and Mains prisoners on the same wing.
- Lack of tangible and rapid improvements in accommodation availability for both planned and unplanned releases.
- Late arrivals to reception posing major risks due to missed healthcare assessments.
- Slow progress on A wing refurbishment and general accommodation improvements.
- Insufficient accessible cells for ageing or disabled prisoners.
- Significant delays in vetting processes for healthcare staff, leading to candidates taking other posts.
- Lack of accountability for contractors failing to provide sufficient staff for education, healthcare, mental health, and drug treatment services.
- Incomplete and administratively erroneous ACCT documents, indicating a lack of improvement despite Board feedback.
- Insufficient staff to maintain the regime, leading to wings being placed in 'patrol state.'
- Decline in the delivery of secondary health screening within seven days of reception.
- Continued issue of wing staff allocating work to prisoners before final approval.