IMB Annual Reports
768 annual reports from Independent Monitoring Boards covering 171 establishments. IMBs provide independent oversight of prisons, immigration removal centres, and secure training centres. Source: imb.org.uk.
768
Reports
171
Establishments
757
With Key Concerns
Establishment Type
Reports by Year
Key Findings
99% of IMB reports flag key concerns.
Independent monitors cover 171 establishments
across prisons, immigration removal centres and secure training centres.
Birmingham
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 878
Assaults: 390
Staff assaults: 222
HMP Birmingham, a busy Category B reception prison, faces critical pressure on its estate and a significantly increased prisoner churn, yet the Board finds it decently run with a largely smooth regime. However, the prison is plagued by failing infrastructure, particularly persistently broken lifts, causing significant inconvenience and access issues. Key concerns include a worrying rise in deaths in custody, increased self-harm and assaults, and the highest use of force rates among its comparator prisons, alongside ongoing issues with inhumane cell sharing and kit shortages. The report also highlights the impact of an ageing prison population on healthcare resources, the detrimental effects of prolonged remand times on prisoner progression, and stalled refurbishment works.
Key concerns identified
- Failure of accountability at all levels, with important regular meetings (EDI, healthcare/residential manager, use of force management) not taking place.
- Failing infrastructure, particularly persistently out-of-order lifts, impeding prisoner movement and access to services.
- A significant increase in deaths in custody (from 5 to 9), with one particularly concerning death from drug overdose highlighting deficiencies in reception screening and welfare checks.
- Serious concerns about the Care and Separation Unit (CSU), with many cells unusable due to damage, leading to prisoners serving cellular confinement on residential wings.
- Rising self-harm and assaults, indicating a volatile establishment, with use of force rates highest among comparator prisons.
- Inhumane cell sharing due to inadequate privacy screening and a lack of sufficient single cells.
- Significant disadvantages for wheelchair users due to insufficient adapted cells and lift failures, as well as delays in transfers.
- Ongoing shortages of essential kit (bedding, clothing, kettles), exacerbated by laundry issues.
- Increasing numbers of frail elderly prisoners 'bed-blocking' 24/7 healthcare units, coupled with a lack of appropriate alternative accommodation and delayed ageing prisoner strategy.
- Prolonged remand times and delays in transferring sentenced prisoners, hindering access to education, work, and sentence plan interventions.
- Stalled refurbishment work on three Victorian wings due to contractor administration, with no work undertaken for nine months, incurring significant public cost.
- Recruitment challenges, including the lack of face-to-face interviews for prison officers, impacting staff quality and retention.
- Underutilisation of education, employment, and soft skills opportunities, and the well-resourced new library.
- Failing infrastructure, particularly persistently out-of-order lifts, impeding prisoner movement and access to services.
- A significant increase in deaths in custody (from 5 to 9), with one particularly concerning death from drug overdose highlighting deficiencies in reception screening and welfare checks.
- Serious concerns about the Care and Separation Unit (CSU), with many cells unusable due to damage, leading to prisoners serving cellular confinement on residential wings.
- Rising self-harm and assaults, indicating a volatile establishment, with use of force rates highest among comparator prisons.
- Inhumane cell sharing due to inadequate privacy screening and a lack of sufficient single cells.
- Significant disadvantages for wheelchair users due to insufficient adapted cells and lift failures, as well as delays in transfers.
- Ongoing shortages of essential kit (bedding, clothing, kettles), exacerbated by laundry issues.
- Increasing numbers of frail elderly prisoners 'bed-blocking' 24/7 healthcare units, coupled with a lack of appropriate alternative accommodation and delayed ageing prisoner strategy.
- Prolonged remand times and delays in transferring sentenced prisoners, hindering access to education, work, and sentence plan interventions.
- Stalled refurbishment work on three Victorian wings due to contractor administration, with no work undertaken for nine months, incurring significant public cost.
- Recruitment challenges, including the lack of face-to-face interviews for prison officers, impacting staff quality and retention.
- Underutilisation of education, employment, and soft skills opportunities, and the well-resourced new library.
North West and Midlands STHF
PRISON
Concerns
The North West and Midlands STHF IMB monitors multiple short-term holding facilities, including residential, port, and reporting centre locations. The Board highlights commendable aspects like care for children and professional detainee inductions, but expresses significant concerns regarding detainee welfare. Key issues include a lack of access to personal medication, inadequate medical provision outside Manchester RSTHF, compromised safety and dignity for women and during transfers, and poor conditions at some facilities like East Midlands Airport.
Key concerns identified
- Detained individuals are consistently denied access to their own medication across facilities.
- Most facilities lack full-time medical professionals, relying on emergency NHS services for healthcare needs, which the Board finds unsatisfactory.
- The safety and dignity of women are compromised by being housed in a corridor with male accommodation at Manchester RSTHF.
- Holyhead Port lacks a secure vehicle bay, leading to transfers being conducted in public view and a low rail near the dock posing a safety risk.
- East Midlands Airport's holding room is inadequate, lacking hot food, a television, and essential safety/security upgrades like CCTV, with detainees sometimes held in the Controlled Waiting Area.
- There is a concern regarding the slow rectification of structural and equipment deficiencies across all facilities, exemplified by cold and draughty conditions at Birmingham Airport.
- A consistent approach to control and restraint training needs rolling out to all staff for uniformity across the estate.
- Most facilities lack full-time medical professionals, relying on emergency NHS services for healthcare needs, which the Board finds unsatisfactory.
- The safety and dignity of women are compromised by being housed in a corridor with male accommodation at Manchester RSTHF.
- Holyhead Port lacks a secure vehicle bay, leading to transfers being conducted in public view and a low rail near the dock posing a safety risk.
- East Midlands Airport's holding room is inadequate, lacking hot food, a television, and essential safety/security upgrades like CCTV, with detainees sometimes held in the Controlled Waiting Area.
- There is a concern regarding the slow rectification of structural and equipment deficiencies across all facilities, exemplified by cold and draughty conditions at Birmingham Airport.
- A consistent approach to control and restraint training needs rolling out to all staff for uniformity across the estate.
Birmingham
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Birmingham, a busy local reception prison, has made significant progress in safety and decency since 2018, attributed to strong leadership, though future leadership stability is a key concern. The Board highlights issues with poor prison fabric, high use of force, and persistent self-harm and violence. Concerns include inhumane cell sharing due to a lack of single cells, long remand times, inadequate kit provision, and staffing problems in healthcare and key working, despite overall improved staff availability. The report also notes positive developments in neurodiversity support, reduced canteen complaints, and proactive healthcare recruitment.
Key concerns identified
- The Board is very concerned about future leadership and the need for high-calibre leadership to maintain progress.
- Poor prison fabric, including leaking roofs, failed heating, broken lifts, and overdue shower refurbishments, significantly impacts prisoner morale and access.
- Disproportionate use of force against black and mixed-ethnic prisoners, and generally high use of force compared to comparator prisons, remains a significant concern.
- High levels of self-harm and violence persist, and there were five deaths in custody during the reporting year.
- A critical shortage of single cells leads to inhumane cell sharing and inadequate time out of cell for many prisoners, posing a safety risk.
- Ongoing challenges in securing adequate provision of basic kit (clothes, bedding, towels) for prisoners, particularly in the first night centre.
- The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) inappropriately houses vulnerable and neurodiverse prisoners for whom no suitable alternatives exist.
- Extreme pressure on secure mental health beds in the region results in long waiting times for transfers and prevents the acceptance of mental health prisoners from other establishments.
- Chronic staffing problems in primary care, an over-reliance on agency staff, and severe staff shortages in drug and alcohol treatment teams negatively impact healthcare delivery.
- Too many prisoners spend excessive time on remand and many sentenced prisoners remain at HMP Birmingham when they should have progressed to other establishments, hindering rehabilitative work and family relationships.
- The prison is failing to meet its target for key working sessions, with only 38% of prisoners receiving weekly sessions on average.
- Poor prison fabric, including leaking roofs, failed heating, broken lifts, and overdue shower refurbishments, significantly impacts prisoner morale and access.
- Disproportionate use of force against black and mixed-ethnic prisoners, and generally high use of force compared to comparator prisons, remains a significant concern.
- High levels of self-harm and violence persist, and there were five deaths in custody during the reporting year.
- A critical shortage of single cells leads to inhumane cell sharing and inadequate time out of cell for many prisoners, posing a safety risk.
- Ongoing challenges in securing adequate provision of basic kit (clothes, bedding, towels) for prisoners, particularly in the first night centre.
- The Care and Separation Unit (CSU) inappropriately houses vulnerable and neurodiverse prisoners for whom no suitable alternatives exist.
- Extreme pressure on secure mental health beds in the region results in long waiting times for transfers and prevents the acceptance of mental health prisoners from other establishments.
- Chronic staffing problems in primary care, an over-reliance on agency staff, and severe staff shortages in drug and alcohol treatment teams negatively impact healthcare delivery.
- Too many prisoners spend excessive time on remand and many sentenced prisoners remain at HMP Birmingham when they should have progressed to other establishments, hindering rehabilitative work and family relationships.
- The prison is failing to meet its target for key working sessions, with only 38% of prisoners receiving weekly sessions on average.
Birmingham
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 528
HMP Birmingham has continued to improve under strong leadership, providing a calm environment where prisoners generally feel safe. However, the report highlights significant concerns including persistently low staffing levels leading to restricted regimes, cancelled activities, and reduced key worker support. The Board also raises issues with the disproportionate use of force and segregation on black and mixed-heritage prisoners, prolonged remand times without resettlement support, and unsuitable living conditions in some shared cells.
Key concerns identified
- Inadequate staffing levels are causing restricted regimes, insufficient purposeful activity, and a reduction in key worker support.
- The prisoner officer appointment process and high attrition rates contribute to an inexperienced workforce and unsuitable appointments.
- Long remand times, up to four years, leave unsentenced prisoners without crucial pre-release support.
- Disproportionate use of force and segregation on black men and men of mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds remains a stubborn concern.
- High use of force incidents and inconsistent body-worn video camera activation.
- Unsuitable living conditions in shared cells, with ongoing issues like leaking roofs and heating problems.
- The prisoner officer appointment process and high attrition rates contribute to an inexperienced workforce and unsuitable appointments.
- Long remand times, up to four years, leave unsentenced prisoners without crucial pre-release support.
- Disproportionate use of force and segregation on black men and men of mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds remains a stubborn concern.
- High use of force incidents and inconsistent body-worn video camera activation.
- Unsuitable living conditions in shared cells, with ongoing issues like leaking roofs and heating problems.
Birmingham
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Birmingham shows sustained improvements in its culture and positive trends in safety, including reduced self-harm and segregation stays. However, severe staff shortages significantly hinder regime delivery and key worker sessions, contributing to high use of force incidents. Key challenges include lengthy remand detentions, the indefinite holding of foreign nationals post-sentence, and persistent issues with missing property.
Key concerns identified
- The significant backlog in court hearings is leading to exceptionally lengthy remand stays, with some men held for up to three years without conviction.
- Foreign nationals continue to be detained in prison for undefined periods beyond their sentence expiry date under immigration powers, which the Board considers unjust and inhumane.
- Severe staff shortages, exacerbated by illness and high attrition (60 officers left), negatively impact regime delivery, key worker sessions, and overall prison stability.
- Persistent and widespread issues with missing property, both within the prison and during inter-prison transfers, remain a major source of frustration and complaints.
- The inconsistent wearing and activation of body-worn video cameras undermine confidence in accountability and the validity of incident reports.
- The current post-Covid regime typically allows most prisoners only 1.5 hours out of cell daily, limiting purposeful activity, especially for the large remand population.
- Foreign nationals continue to be detained in prison for undefined periods beyond their sentence expiry date under immigration powers, which the Board considers unjust and inhumane.
- Severe staff shortages, exacerbated by illness and high attrition (60 officers left), negatively impact regime delivery, key worker sessions, and overall prison stability.
- Persistent and widespread issues with missing property, both within the prison and during inter-prison transfers, remain a major source of frustration and complaints.
- The inconsistent wearing and activation of body-worn video cameras undermine confidence in accountability and the validity of incident reports.
- The current post-Covid regime typically allows most prisoners only 1.5 hours out of cell daily, limiting purposeful activity, especially for the large remand population.
North and Midlands Short Term Holding Facilities
PRISON
Concerns
This IMB annual report for North & Midlands Short-Term Holding Facilities highlights ongoing concerns regarding healthcare provision, particularly the lack of access to prescribed medication and the absence of full-time medical professionals in most facilities. The Board's ability to monitor airside holding rooms remains compromised by issues with airport passes. Despite these challenges, the Board observed humane and dignified treatment of detainees by staff.
Key concerns identified
- Detained individuals are still being denied access to their prescribed medication in holding rooms and reporting centres.
- Most facilities lack a full-time medical professional, relying on ambulance services for medical advice.
- The Board is unable to conduct visits to airside areas at Manchester and Birmingham Airports due to persistent issues with airside pass issuance.
- The IMB Board remains under-strength, and delays in the ministerial appointment process for new members compromise the Board's viability.
- Most facilities lack a full-time medical professional, relying on ambulance services for medical advice.
- The Board is unable to conduct visits to airside areas at Manchester and Birmingham Airports due to persistent issues with airside pass issuance.
- The IMB Board remains under-strength, and delays in the ministerial appointment process for new members compromise the Board's viability.
Birmingham
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 676
HMP Birmingham has shown significant improvement in safety and stability under new leadership, making it the safest it has been in years, despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Healthcare provision is good, and peer support systems are strong. However, key concerns persist regarding the inhumane nature of prolonged in-cell lock-up, the high levels of use of force, and persistent issues with long stays in segregation. Other areas needing development include support for homelessness on release, addressing learning difficulties, and ensuring equity in the IEP scheme.
Key concerns identified
- Prolonged and repeated stays in the segregation unit (CSU) for challenging cases, without suitable alternative national provision.
- The inhumane nature of the 22.5-hour daily lock-up regime and its potential long-term impact on mental and physical health.
- High levels of unplanned use of force, compounded by a lack of consistent body-worn video camera use and insufficient equipment.
- Significant issues with homelessness for prisoners released directly from court or on short sentences, and difficulties in opening bank accounts on release.
- Inadequate addressing of learning difficulties and autism among prisoners, requiring improved identification, training, and support systems.
- Persistent problems with lost property, catalogue purchases, and complaint response times.
- The inhumane nature of the 22.5-hour daily lock-up regime and its potential long-term impact on mental and physical health.
- High levels of unplanned use of force, compounded by a lack of consistent body-worn video camera use and insufficient equipment.
- Significant issues with homelessness for prisoners released directly from court or on short sentences, and difficulties in opening bank accounts on release.
- Inadequate addressing of learning difficulties and autism among prisoners, requiring improved identification, training, and support systems.
- Persistent problems with lost property, catalogue purchases, and complaint response times.
Birmingham
PRISON
Concerns
Assaults: 394
Staff assaults: 55
HMP Birmingham has demonstrated significant improvements in safety, staff-prisoner relationships, and living conditions following an urgent notification in 2018. The Board commended the prison's effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw reduced violence and enhanced communication, though it also led to a severely restricted regime and mental health challenges. Key concerns include prolonged segregation for mentally unwell prisoners, persistent issues with lost property, and the need to sustain positive changes post-pandemic, particularly regarding staffing and purposeful activity.
Key concerns identified
- Lengthy and inappropriate stays in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) for prisoners with complex mental health needs or challenging behaviours who do not meet criteria for specialist transfer.
- The unacceptable frequency of lost or stolen prisoner property, both within the establishment and during transfers, with inadequate compensation and complaint resolution.
- Over-representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) men and young adults (21-24 years) in adjudications.
- The negative impact of the severely restricted COVID-19 lockdown regime on prisoners' mental health and time out of cell.
- Low attendance rates for education, vocational training, and work, leaving too many activity places unfilled.
- Concerns that improved safety achieved during lockdown may be lost if post-COVID staffing levels and staff-prisoner ratios are not revised upwards.
- Inadequate regulation of cell temperatures, leading to prisoners being too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
- Inappropriate housing of an increasingly ageing prisoner population on standard wings with bunk beds and stairs, and insufficient capacity in the dedicated social care wing.
- Delays by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in progressing decisions on charges following violent offences, leading to a failure of the justice system.
- The unacceptable frequency of lost or stolen prisoner property, both within the establishment and during transfers, with inadequate compensation and complaint resolution.
- Over-representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) men and young adults (21-24 years) in adjudications.
- The negative impact of the severely restricted COVID-19 lockdown regime on prisoners' mental health and time out of cell.
- Low attendance rates for education, vocational training, and work, leaving too many activity places unfilled.
- Concerns that improved safety achieved during lockdown may be lost if post-COVID staffing levels and staff-prisoner ratios are not revised upwards.
- Inadequate regulation of cell temperatures, leading to prisoners being too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
- Inappropriate housing of an increasingly ageing prisoner population on standard wings with bunk beds and stairs, and insufficient capacity in the dedicated social care wing.
- Delays by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in progressing decisions on charges following violent offences, leading to a failure of the justice system.