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.
South and West short term holding facilities
PRISON
Concerns
Staff assaults: 1
The South and West STHF Board was newly formed in January 2023. Members made a total of 139 monitoring visits (often in pairs) between 1 February 2025 and 31 January 2026. BF provided a monthly data sheet listing all people detained in the STHF. Bristol was the busiest site, with 129 detentions for longer than two hours, and Poole the quietest, with only seven detained individuals.
Key concerns identified
- We were concerned that some people at Bristol and Cardiff were held for long periods in the CWA, without being transferred to the more comfortable and private STHF.
- For a second year we were concerned that detained people could not have access to prescribed medication whilst in the STHF. Also, BF officers had inadequate access to health-related support and advice.
- We were again concerned about BF failing to inform us of the use of force either within the agreed timescales or in one case not at all.
- We questioned definitions of vulnerability because of the release of one detained person, a lone woman with no money, no accommodation and limited English.
- We remain concerned that decisions about access to medication and nicotine replacement have taken over 12 months.
- Although few in number, we were concerned about the additional time in detention, waiting for MITIE Care and Custody to arrive to transfer a detained person.
- For a second year we were concerned that detained people could not have access to prescribed medication whilst in the STHF. Also, BF officers had inadequate access to health-related support and advice.
- We were again concerned about BF failing to inform us of the use of force either within the agreed timescales or in one case not at all.
- We questioned definitions of vulnerability because of the release of one detained person, a lone woman with no money, no accommodation and limited English.
- We remain concerned that decisions about access to medication and nicotine replacement have taken over 12 months.
- Although few in number, we were concerned about the additional time in detention, waiting for MITIE Care and Custody to arrive to transfer a detained person.
Bristol
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 455
Assaults: 162
Staff assaults: 70
HMP Bristol has seen sustained improvements in safety, with significant reductions in self-harm and violent incidents, and fewer deaths in custody. However, the daily regime remains inconsistent due to staffing levels, and key concerns persist around the lack of in-cell sanitation on B wing, prolonged waits for mental health transfers, and challenges with prisoner property and medication access. Staffing recruitment and retention are also a continuous concern for the Board.
Key concerns identified
- There is still a lack of in-cell sanitation on B wing (99 prisoners) with no concrete, funded plan to resolve this.
- The average number of prisoners in segregation has increased, and prisoners with mental health issues are often held there prior to lengthy transfers.
- The daily regime for prisoners is still inconsistent due to variable staffing levels and additional demands, limiting key working sessions to only the most vulnerable prisoners.
- Healthcare issues, particularly access to physical healthcare, mental health support, and medication issues, remain the highest category of applications to the IMB.
- Approximately 20% of prisoners released from HMP Bristol do not have housing on their first night of release, and short-stay prisoners do not always get sufficient resettlement support.
- The Home Office’s proposed changes to the visa system are likely to adversely affect the recruitment and retention of new prison officers, impacting the prison's ability to deliver a full regime.
- There is no agreed funding or implementation date for Launchpad, a digital system that would improve prisoner communications and free up staff time.
- Lost and missing property within the prison has increased, typically after cell transfers, and remains the second highest issue raised with the IMB.
- Illicit drugs, notably psychoactive substances and cannabis, remain readily available in HMP Bristol, contributing to prisoners being under the influence, and the number of positive mandatory drug tests is higher than target.
- The average number of prisoners in segregation has increased, and prisoners with mental health issues are often held there prior to lengthy transfers.
- The daily regime for prisoners is still inconsistent due to variable staffing levels and additional demands, limiting key working sessions to only the most vulnerable prisoners.
- Healthcare issues, particularly access to physical healthcare, mental health support, and medication issues, remain the highest category of applications to the IMB.
- Approximately 20% of prisoners released from HMP Bristol do not have housing on their first night of release, and short-stay prisoners do not always get sufficient resettlement support.
- The Home Office’s proposed changes to the visa system are likely to adversely affect the recruitment and retention of new prison officers, impacting the prison's ability to deliver a full regime.
- There is no agreed funding or implementation date for Launchpad, a digital system that would improve prisoner communications and free up staff time.
- Lost and missing property within the prison has increased, typically after cell transfers, and remains the second highest issue raised with the IMB.
- Illicit drugs, notably psychoactive substances and cannabis, remain readily available in HMP Bristol, contributing to prisoners being under the influence, and the number of positive mandatory drug tests is higher than target.
South and West short term holding facilities
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 0
This IMB report details monitoring of multiple Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) in the South and West region for the year ending January 2025. Key concerns include inconsistent access to detention records, inadequate healthcare arrangements, and persistent facility issues such as heating and hot water, alongside varied provision of hot food. While the Board notes positive engagement from Border Force staff and some improvements in record-keeping, it highlights areas requiring urgent attention to ensure humane treatment and effective oversight of detained individuals.
Key concerns identified
- The IMB's access to detention records, especially at Poole and Cardiff, remains consistently inadequate, severely compromising effective monitoring.
- Border Force's lack of prompt responses to IMB questions and concerns from July to December 2024 prevented effective oversight.
- The absence of routine Use of Force statistics in monthly data returns prevents effective monitoring of this critical area.
- Persistent facility deficiencies include the absence of heating at Poole, frequent failures in providing hot water and soap at Portsmouth, and inadequate bedding storage at Bristol.
- The inability to consistently provide hot food and drinks at all sites, and for protracted periods at some (e.g., Portsmouth), was a concern, especially given potentially long detention periods.
- The expansion in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport will strain detention facility capacity, with no clear reassurance that this will be addressed.
- Deficiencies identified in Disability Access Reviews at all sites, even if not required to meet current regulations, are concerning.
- The arrangements for assessing and treating health conditions, particularly the withholding of medication, are deemed inadequate and pose potential health risks.
- Staffing levels, especially at Bristol Airport, are sometimes insufficient, leading to extended waits in less comfortable areas, with weekend flexibility still an issue.
- Children sometimes had to wait a considerable time for Social Services to attend, with the range of waiting times indicating room for improvement.
- Record-keeping quality, though showing some improvement, still frequently misses key information, hindering effective monitoring.
- Extended detention times frequently occur due to delays in arranging transport by Mitie Care & Custody or Clearsprings.
- Border Force's lack of prompt responses to IMB questions and concerns from July to December 2024 prevented effective oversight.
- The absence of routine Use of Force statistics in monthly data returns prevents effective monitoring of this critical area.
- Persistent facility deficiencies include the absence of heating at Poole, frequent failures in providing hot water and soap at Portsmouth, and inadequate bedding storage at Bristol.
- The inability to consistently provide hot food and drinks at all sites, and for protracted periods at some (e.g., Portsmouth), was a concern, especially given potentially long detention periods.
- The expansion in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport will strain detention facility capacity, with no clear reassurance that this will be addressed.
- Deficiencies identified in Disability Access Reviews at all sites, even if not required to meet current regulations, are concerning.
- The arrangements for assessing and treating health conditions, particularly the withholding of medication, are deemed inadequate and pose potential health risks.
- Staffing levels, especially at Bristol Airport, are sometimes insufficient, leading to extended waits in less comfortable areas, with weekend flexibility still an issue.
- Children sometimes had to wait a considerable time for Social Services to attend, with the range of waiting times indicating room for improvement.
- Record-keeping quality, though showing some improvement, still frequently misses key information, hindering effective monitoring.
- Extended detention times frequently occur due to delays in arranging transport by Mitie Care & Custody or Clearsprings.
Bristol
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 906
Assaults: 211
Staff assaults: 119
HMP Bristol has made notable improvements in safety, regime consistency, and purposeful activity during the reporting year, with reductions in deaths in custody, self-harm, and violence. Staffing levels have reached full establishment, contributing to these positive changes. However, significant challenges persist, including severe overcrowding, limited mental health support for the general population, and issues with the physical environment, particularly a lack of in-cell sanitation in one wing. Resettlement support, the prevalence of illicit items, and the need for better IT infrastructure also remain key concerns for the Board.
Key concerns identified
- Overcrowding and the poor physical environment, including the lack of in-cell sanitation on B wing, in the Victorian prison.
- Insufficient support for prisoners on release, particularly regarding accommodation and community services, contributing to reoffending and recalls.
- Limited mental health services, which primarily focus on the most serious cases, leaving many prisoners without adequate support.
- The need for ongoing support for staff retention and regular recruitment to maintain improved staffing levels and prevent future shortfalls.
- The absence of essential information technology for prisoners, which hinders online applications, increases frustrations with paper systems, and consumes staff time.
- The high prevalence of illicit items contributing to safety issues, debt, self-harm, and violence, requiring additional resources to tackle.
- Inconsistent and untimely provision of reports and information to the IMB, which impedes monitoring activities.
- Concerns regarding the adequacy of the healthcare contract with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in meeting the diverse needs of prisoners.
- Key working is currently focused only on high-risk prisoners and is not yet available for the entire prisoner population.
- Insufficient support for prisoners on release, particularly regarding accommodation and community services, contributing to reoffending and recalls.
- Limited mental health services, which primarily focus on the most serious cases, leaving many prisoners without adequate support.
- The need for ongoing support for staff retention and regular recruitment to maintain improved staffing levels and prevent future shortfalls.
- The absence of essential information technology for prisoners, which hinders online applications, increases frustrations with paper systems, and consumes staff time.
- The high prevalence of illicit items contributing to safety issues, debt, self-harm, and violence, requiring additional resources to tackle.
- Inconsistent and untimely provision of reports and information to the IMB, which impedes monitoring activities.
- Concerns regarding the adequacy of the healthcare contract with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in meeting the diverse needs of prisoners.
- Key working is currently focused only on high-risk prisoners and is not yet available for the entire prisoner population.
Bristol
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Bristol faced significant challenges in the reporting year, marked by an increase in deaths in custody (9), self-harm, and violence, alongside persistent overcrowding at over 50% capacity in single cells. Staffing shortages severely impacted regime delivery, leading to increased time in cell and reduced access to purposeful activity. The Board expressed concern that the HMIP Urgent Notification Action Plan did not adequately address systemic issues such as occupancy levels or substantive staff numbers, hindering effective prisoner care and safety improvements.
Key concerns identified
- Increase in deaths in custody (9), self-harm (40% increase), and violence (40% increase), with high ACCT and constant supervision numbers.
- Persistent overcrowding (over 50%) in cells designed for one.
- Staffing levels consistently below required, affecting regime delivery, activities, and key working.
- Long waits for specialist mental health transfers, often in segregation, and lack of physical disability access to healthcare.
- Low prisoner access to education and workshops due to staff shortages.
- Insufficient support for the increasing number of remand prisoners and lack of housing/medication support for recall prisoners.
- Significant property issues, frequent drug availability, and poor cell bell response times.
- The Board is concerned the recent Urgent Notification Action Plan does not address systemic issues like occupancy or staff numbers.
- Persistent overcrowding (over 50%) in cells designed for one.
- Staffing levels consistently below required, affecting regime delivery, activities, and key working.
- Long waits for specialist mental health transfers, often in segregation, and lack of physical disability access to healthcare.
- Low prisoner access to education and workshops due to staff shortages.
- Insufficient support for the increasing number of remand prisoners and lack of housing/medication support for recall prisoners.
- Significant property issues, frequent drug availability, and poor cell bell response times.
- The Board is concerned the recent Urgent Notification Action Plan does not address systemic issues like occupancy or staff numbers.
Bristol
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 459
Assaults: 195
Staff assaults: 75
HMP Bristol has demonstrated positive improvements in safety, with reductions in self-harm and staff assaults, and effective Covid-19 management. However, the prison continues to face significant challenges, including an insufficient staffing budget and high non-effective rates that frequently impact regime delivery, purposeful activity, and key worker provision. Concerns persist regarding the Victorian infrastructure, particularly poor disability access and heating issues, alongside prolonged waits for specialist mental health transfers and an ongoing problem with lost prisoner property.
Key concerns identified
- Increasing remand prisoner numbers and the lack of release planning support for those not eligible for probation services.
- Persistent challenges with the Victorian infrastructure, affecting disability access, heating, and hot water, especially for elderly and disabled prisoners.
- Concerns about the accuracy of reported waiting times for specialist mental health services, suggesting a review of reporting rules.
- An insufficient prison staffing budget and high non-effective rates, leading to staff inability to cover duties, cancellation of activities, and inconsistent key work delivery.
- The ongoing significant problem of lost or delayed prisoner property, including crucial legal and personal documents.
- The need for close monitoring of planned increases in operational capacity to prevent loss of improvements in safety and decency.
- The necessity of financial support for prisons to manage rapidly increasing cost of living and energy pressures.
- Persistent challenges with the Victorian infrastructure, affecting disability access, heating, and hot water, especially for elderly and disabled prisoners.
- Concerns about the accuracy of reported waiting times for specialist mental health services, suggesting a review of reporting rules.
- An insufficient prison staffing budget and high non-effective rates, leading to staff inability to cover duties, cancellation of activities, and inconsistent key work delivery.
- The ongoing significant problem of lost or delayed prisoner property, including crucial legal and personal documents.
- The need for close monitoring of planned increases in operational capacity to prevent loss of improvements in safety and decency.
- The necessity of financial support for prisons to manage rapidly increasing cost of living and energy pressures.
Bristol
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 570
Assaults: 138
Staff assaults: 102
HMP Bristol successfully managed Covid-19, implementing strong infection control and a good vaccination programme. The prison saw significant improvements in accommodation and the general environment, alongside a reduction in self-harm and violence. However, the Board remains concerned about inconsistent key work delivery, staffing shortfalls, persistent issues with disability access, and the appropriate placement of vulnerable prisoners.
Key concerns identified
- Lack of consistent support and understanding for prisoners with neurodivergent conditions.
- Persistent problems with disability access, particularly to the healthcare building, due to the prison's Victorian architecture.
- Inconsistent delivery of key work and significant staff shortfalls impacting regime delivery and prisoner support.
- Delays and loss of prisoner property during transfers between establishments.
- Challenges in providing mental health and substance misuse programmes due to a lack of suitable rooms and staff availability for escorts.
- The continued presence of elderly, vulnerable, or immigration detainees inappropriately placed in a local prison setting, leading to prolonged, unclear detention for some.
- Persistent problems with disability access, particularly to the healthcare building, due to the prison's Victorian architecture.
- Inconsistent delivery of key work and significant staff shortfalls impacting regime delivery and prisoner support.
- Delays and loss of prisoner property during transfers between establishments.
- Challenges in providing mental health and substance misuse programmes due to a lack of suitable rooms and staff availability for escorts.
- The continued presence of elderly, vulnerable, or immigration detainees inappropriately placed in a local prison setting, leading to prolonged, unclear detention for some.
Bristol
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 1,026
Assaults: 333
HMP Bristol, a Category B local prison, navigated the reporting year (August 2019 – July 2020) under significant COVID-19 restrictions, which impacted the daily regime but also led to a more settled environment and improved staff morale. Despite efforts, safety ratings remained low, with high levels of self-harm, violence, and increased use of force incidents. Challenges persisted with delayed mental health transfers, unsuitable Victorian accommodation for disabled prisoners, and resource issues affecting key work and healthcare.
Key concerns identified
- Safety ratings remain low (level 1), with persistently high levels of self-harm, violence, assaults on staff, and a significant increase in use of force incidents.
- Victorian prison conditions are unsuitable for modern standards, particularly for prisoners with physical disabilities, impacting access to all areas including healthcare clinics.
- Delayed transfers to specialist mental health units are an ongoing issue, with prisoners waiting many weeks, straining prison resources and negatively impacting vulnerable individuals.
- Insufficient resources for key work and high staff vacancies in physical healthcare compromise the delivery of essential support and routine activities.
- Concerns persist regarding the management of drug misuse, including officer involvement in trafficking, lack of supervision at serveries for food, and poor property management leading to lost items.
- There are a significant number of prisoners held who are unsuited to a local Category B prison, including those with minor offenses or complex needs, for whom community or specialist placements would be more appropriate.
- Victorian prison conditions are unsuitable for modern standards, particularly for prisoners with physical disabilities, impacting access to all areas including healthcare clinics.
- Delayed transfers to specialist mental health units are an ongoing issue, with prisoners waiting many weeks, straining prison resources and negatively impacting vulnerable individuals.
- Insufficient resources for key work and high staff vacancies in physical healthcare compromise the delivery of essential support and routine activities.
- Concerns persist regarding the management of drug misuse, including officer involvement in trafficking, lack of supervision at serveries for food, and poor property management leading to lost items.
- There are a significant number of prisoners held who are unsuited to a local Category B prison, including those with minor offenses or complex needs, for whom community or specialist placements would be more appropriate.