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.
Long Lartin
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 514
Staff assaults: 113
There was a promising start to the year with sufficient staff resources to provide a relatively stable regime, which is so important to prisoners. However by mid-year the prison was experiencing staff recruitment and retention problems. Well intentioned efforts to improve the prison and make Long Lartin a more humane and decent living environment for prisoners, are hampered by bureaucracy.
Key concerns identified
bullet Drones: incursions continue to deliver dangerous illicit items into the prison.
bullet Security systems: much of the existing security systems technology is obsolete and unserviceable, increasing the vulnerability of prisoners and staff.
bullet Unsatisfactory management of infrastructure and maintenance: the Board remains concerned that the Minister’s department is not robustly managing the contract with Amey plc.
bullet Lack of in-cell sanitation on four wings.
bullet Officer shortages.
bullet Security systems: much of the existing security systems technology is obsolete and unserviceable, increasing the vulnerability of prisoners and staff.
bullet Unsatisfactory management of infrastructure and maintenance: the Board remains concerned that the Minister’s department is not robustly managing the contract with Amey plc.
bullet Lack of in-cell sanitation on four wings.
bullet Officer shortages.
Bure
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 182
HMP Bure, a Category C training prison for sexual offenders, holds 639 prisoners against an operational capacity of 643. While commendable for humane treatment, high time out of cell, and low violence metrics, the Board identifies critical challenges. These include budget cuts impacting education and purposeful activity, inadequate healthcare for the aging population, and persistent staffing shortages affecting regime and support. National policy issues around prisoner wages and property management also remain significant concerns for the Board.
Key concerns identified
- Significant budget cuts to education and workshops are narrowing curriculum and reducing purposeful activity opportunities, questioning Bure's designation as a training prison.
- The shocking treatment of IPP prisoners, including exclusion from fixed term recalls, has not improved despite being raised last year.
- There is a lack of specialised units for dementia and geriatric healthcare for the aging population, especially given no 24/7 on-site medical facility.
- A digital solution for adjudications has not been funded, leading to archaic and cumbersome paper records.
- Prisoners' wages at Bure are lower than many prisons, despite similar canteen prices, a concern raised last year.
- Staff shortages are exacerbated by officers sent on ‘detached duties’ and frequent escorts/bed watches, impacting operational duties and key working.
- There is no national property scheme, and loss of property on transfer remains a significant issue.
- Installation of CCTV on wings is severely delayed despite funding being agreed.
- Frequent self-harm incidents using razor blades suggest a need to replace them with electric shavers.
- Late roll calls and clashes between education and other purposeful activities persist, negatively affecting regime and appointments.
- Heating in Residential Unit 7 remains inadequate, particularly for elderly and vulnerable prisoners, a repeated issue.
- Breakdowns in laundry machines and shortages of stock impact cleanliness and prisoner provision.
- Slow accommodation repairs result in cold and draughty cells, especially in preparation for winter.
- Extended periods in segregation have negative impacts on prisoners' mental health and reintegration.
- Lack of urgency in assessments can lead to inappropriate extended segregation.
- Many prisoners are unable to access their Prison Offender Managers (POMs), compromising procedural justice.
- The number of formal complaints remains high, reflecting last year's position, with no clear timescale for Comp1A appeals.
- Inadequate funding prevents the introduction of a digital property management system within the prison.
- There is a lack of accessible showers in Residential Unit 4 for elderly or disabled prisoners.
- The library is frequently closed or offers limited service due to staff shortages, preventing browsing and resource use.
- Small classrooms and scheduling conflicts limit education attendance and progression in core subjects.
- Lack of workshop space, compounded by a recent closure, leaves retired prisoners without purposeful activity and contributes to low full-time employment numbers.
- The OMU office environment is dismal, with poor natural light, impacting staff working conditions.
- Friday visit cancellations due to staff shortages and a shortage of space for the visits service.
- The shocking treatment of IPP prisoners, including exclusion from fixed term recalls, has not improved despite being raised last year.
- There is a lack of specialised units for dementia and geriatric healthcare for the aging population, especially given no 24/7 on-site medical facility.
- A digital solution for adjudications has not been funded, leading to archaic and cumbersome paper records.
- Prisoners' wages at Bure are lower than many prisons, despite similar canteen prices, a concern raised last year.
- Staff shortages are exacerbated by officers sent on ‘detached duties’ and frequent escorts/bed watches, impacting operational duties and key working.
- There is no national property scheme, and loss of property on transfer remains a significant issue.
- Installation of CCTV on wings is severely delayed despite funding being agreed.
- Frequent self-harm incidents using razor blades suggest a need to replace them with electric shavers.
- Late roll calls and clashes between education and other purposeful activities persist, negatively affecting regime and appointments.
- Heating in Residential Unit 7 remains inadequate, particularly for elderly and vulnerable prisoners, a repeated issue.
- Breakdowns in laundry machines and shortages of stock impact cleanliness and prisoner provision.
- Slow accommodation repairs result in cold and draughty cells, especially in preparation for winter.
- Extended periods in segregation have negative impacts on prisoners' mental health and reintegration.
- Lack of urgency in assessments can lead to inappropriate extended segregation.
- Many prisoners are unable to access their Prison Offender Managers (POMs), compromising procedural justice.
- The number of formal complaints remains high, reflecting last year's position, with no clear timescale for Comp1A appeals.
- Inadequate funding prevents the introduction of a digital property management system within the prison.
- There is a lack of accessible showers in Residential Unit 4 for elderly or disabled prisoners.
- The library is frequently closed or offers limited service due to staff shortages, preventing browsing and resource use.
- Small classrooms and scheduling conflicts limit education attendance and progression in core subjects.
- Lack of workshop space, compounded by a recent closure, leaves retired prisoners without purposeful activity and contributes to low full-time employment numbers.
- The OMU office environment is dismal, with poor natural light, impacting staff working conditions.
- Friday visit cancellations due to staff shortages and a shortage of space for the visits service.
Bure
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 167
Assaults: 56
Staff assaults: 18
HMP Bure is a Category C prison for men convicted of sexual offenses, housing 641 prisoners with an operational capacity of 643. The IMB found it to be a generally calm and safe environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and well-supported elderly prisoners. Key concerns include the lack of work and purposeful activity opportunities for the current population, the need for IPP re-sentencing, and insufficient funding for resettlement services. The Board also noted an increase in self-harm incidents and issues with archaic adjudication recording.
Key concerns identified
- The ongoing issue of re-sentencing IPP prisoners, many held beyond their tariffs, with previous responses deemed inadequate.
- The absence of a national minimum wage for prisoners, leading to disparities in pay versus canteen costs.
- Insufficient work and activity opportunities for the existing prisoner population, with concerns about further increases in numbers without corresponding provision.
- The lack of additional funding for the Prison Employment Lead despite Bure performing resettlement functions, unlike designated resettlement prisons.
- The absence of CCTV in the prison, contributing to some prisoners feeling unsafe.
- The archaic, longhand recording method for adjudications, hindering Governor observation and communication, and the need for audio/visual recording.
- An observed increase in self-harm incidents that requires investigation by the prison.
- Continued underuse of education and workshop classes due to conflicting healthcare appointments and activities.
- Prisoner confusion regarding property rules, particularly for items like Xboxes, requiring clearer communication on reception.
- The absence of a national minimum wage for prisoners, leading to disparities in pay versus canteen costs.
- Insufficient work and activity opportunities for the existing prisoner population, with concerns about further increases in numbers without corresponding provision.
- The lack of additional funding for the Prison Employment Lead despite Bure performing resettlement functions, unlike designated resettlement prisons.
- The absence of CCTV in the prison, contributing to some prisoners feeling unsafe.
- The archaic, longhand recording method for adjudications, hindering Governor observation and communication, and the need for audio/visual recording.
- An observed increase in self-harm incidents that requires investigation by the prison.
- Continued underuse of education and workshop classes due to conflicting healthcare appointments and activities.
- Prisoner confusion regarding property rules, particularly for items like Xboxes, requiring clearer communication on reception.
Bure
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 304
Assaults: 52
Staff assaults: 28
HMP Bure, a Category C prison primarily for older prisoners, maintains a calm and safe environment with good staff-prisoner relationships and effective healthcare, including a fully staffed mental health team. Key concerns include insufficient purposeful activity, inconsistent key worker engagement, and the significant impact of not having formal medical care on-site at night. Persistent estate maintenance issues and a call for the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners highlight areas requiring urgent attention from both the prison and the Ministry of Justice.
Key concerns identified
- The Board calls on the Minister to once again consider the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners, many of whom are held far beyond their original tariff.
- There is a need for a national minimum wage for prisoners due to pay disparities and fixed canteen costs.
- Insufficient work opportunities and activity places are available, with fewer than 66% of working-age prisoners engaged, leading to boredom.
- The potential for increased prisoner numbers without proportional increases in work, recreational space, or improved regimes for older prisoners is a concern.
- The Board has noted an increase in self-harm incidents that requires investigation by the prison.
- The lack of formal medical care on-site at night leads to significant, costly escorts to A&E, impacting staff and the daily regime.
- Longstanding estate issues persist, including unaddressed heating problems in Residential Unit 7 and non-functioning solar panels, both repeated from previous reports.
- There is a need for a national minimum wage for prisoners due to pay disparities and fixed canteen costs.
- Insufficient work opportunities and activity places are available, with fewer than 66% of working-age prisoners engaged, leading to boredom.
- The potential for increased prisoner numbers without proportional increases in work, recreational space, or improved regimes for older prisoners is a concern.
- The Board has noted an increase in self-harm incidents that requires investigation by the prison.
- The lack of formal medical care on-site at night leads to significant, costly escorts to A&E, impacting staff and the daily regime.
- Longstanding estate issues persist, including unaddressed heating problems in Residential Unit 7 and non-functioning solar panels, both repeated from previous reports.
Standford Hill
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 0
HMP/YOI Standford Hill is recognized as a well-run Category D prison, excelling in resettlement and providing substantial opportunities for prisoners to gain skills and employment, contributing to low re-offending rates. The prison maintains a safe environment with zero reported self-harm, assaults, or deaths in custody during the reporting period, and healthcare provision has significantly improved. Key concerns include the persistent poor performance of GFSL, the potential negative impact of the TPRS on resettlement, and the need for scanning equipment and modern monitoring technology.
Key concerns identified
- The performance of Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL) remains unsatisfactory, with slow maintenance response times and bureaucratic procedures.
- The Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation Scheme (TPRS) could dilute resettlement work and reduce involvement in the Working Out Scheme.
- There is a lack of scanning equipment to deter illicit items, despite its availability elsewhere in the prison estate.
- Technological solutions for monitoring prisoners on ROTL and WOS are available but not approved, hindering efficiency.
- The quality and variety of food provision are regularly criticised by prisoners.
- Sporadic internet facilities and the overall condition of some buildings remain unaddressed issues from the previous year.
- The Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation Scheme (TPRS) could dilute resettlement work and reduce involvement in the Working Out Scheme.
- There is a lack of scanning equipment to deter illicit items, despite its availability elsewhere in the prison estate.
- Technological solutions for monitoring prisoners on ROTL and WOS are available but not approved, hindering efficiency.
- The quality and variety of food provision are regularly criticised by prisoners.
- Sporadic internet facilities and the overall condition of some buildings remain unaddressed issues from the previous year.
Bure
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 347
Assaults: 20
Staff assaults: 10
HMP Bure maintained fair and humane treatment for prisoners and managed the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, with high vaccination rates and low violence. However, persistent issues such as double cells, delayed maintenance for the heating system and solar panels, and the absence of in-cell telephony remain. The Board also highlighted concerns about IPP prisoners, the lack of palliative care, and the unfunded resettlement provision.
Key concerns identified
- The continued use of cramped and unsuitable double cells, particularly on residential unit 7, preventing the prison from operating at nominal accommodation.
- The ongoing plight of IPP prisoners held long beyond their tariffs, with the Board questioning the burden of proof for their release.
- The heating system on residential unit 7 remains unrepaired despite being reported last year and funding previously allocated.
- Solar panels installed on the kitchen and residential unit 7 have been inoperable since early 2022, preventing energy savings.
- The absence of in-cell telephony, a long-standing concern, restricts private conversations and call times for prisoners.
- Inequitable national pay rates for prisoners, which differ across establishments while canteen costs are uniform.
- Only four accessible cells are available, making basic access challenging for disabled prisoners in standard cells.
- Delays in prisoners receiving medication and attending medical appointments due to late wing roll checks.
- The lack of palliative and end-of-life care facilities for an aging prisoner population.
- Persistent delays in offending behaviour programme delivery, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
- HMP Bure's unfunded role in resettlement, leading to releases into the community due to a lack of suitable places elsewhere.
- A limited resettlement pathway specifically for men convicted of sexual offences.
- The ongoing plight of IPP prisoners held long beyond their tariffs, with the Board questioning the burden of proof for their release.
- The heating system on residential unit 7 remains unrepaired despite being reported last year and funding previously allocated.
- Solar panels installed on the kitchen and residential unit 7 have been inoperable since early 2022, preventing energy savings.
- The absence of in-cell telephony, a long-standing concern, restricts private conversations and call times for prisoners.
- Inequitable national pay rates for prisoners, which differ across establishments while canteen costs are uniform.
- Only four accessible cells are available, making basic access challenging for disabled prisoners in standard cells.
- Delays in prisoners receiving medication and attending medical appointments due to late wing roll checks.
- The lack of palliative and end-of-life care facilities for an aging prisoner population.
- Persistent delays in offending behaviour programme delivery, impacting prisoner progression and wellbeing.
- HMP Bure's unfunded role in resettlement, leading to releases into the community due to a lack of suitable places elsewhere.
- A limited resettlement pathway specifically for men convicted of sexual offences.
Bure
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 226
Assaults: 18
Staff assaults: 10
HMP Bure, a Category C prison for men convicted of sexual offences, operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions during the reporting period, leading to extensive lockdowns and reduced regime. Despite these challenges, the Board found generally good staff-prisoner relationships, an outstanding safer custody team, and fully staffed healthcare. Key concerns include the lack of rehabilitative interventions for IPP prisoners, the absence of in-cell telephony, persistent estate issues such as heating and ventilation, significant staffing shortages in offender management, and limitations on family contact.
Key concerns identified
- 58 IPP prisoners lack access to offending behaviour programmes for progression towards release.
- No progress has been made on providing in-cell telephony, severely limiting communication for prisoners.
- Heating problems persist on residential unit 7, requiring a boiler and system replacement.
- Poor ventilation and air quality in residential units 1-6 due to undredged ducting and unreplaced filters.
- Cramped conditions in 32 cells on residential unit 7, where double bunk beds remain despite an end to doubling-up.
- The quality and variety of food have declined due to reduced kitchen orderlies and external sourcing.
- The prison is unable to offer palliative and end-of-life care for its ageing population.
- A significant shortage of staff (as low as 67%) in the Offender Management Unit impacts prisoner progression.
- Limited family contact via restricted Purple Visits and reduced face-to-face visits affects prisoner wellbeing and resettlement.
- No progress has been made on providing in-cell telephony, severely limiting communication for prisoners.
- Heating problems persist on residential unit 7, requiring a boiler and system replacement.
- Poor ventilation and air quality in residential units 1-6 due to undredged ducting and unreplaced filters.
- Cramped conditions in 32 cells on residential unit 7, where double bunk beds remain despite an end to doubling-up.
- The quality and variety of food have declined due to reduced kitchen orderlies and external sourcing.
- The prison is unable to offer palliative and end-of-life care for its ageing population.
- A significant shortage of staff (as low as 67%) in the Offender Management Unit impacts prisoner progression.
- Limited family contact via restricted Purple Visits and reduced face-to-face visits affects prisoner wellbeing and resettlement.
North and Midlands STHF
PRISON
Concerns
The North & Midlands STHF IMB report for 2020 highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its monitoring activities, leading to remote oversight. The Board notes humane treatment by DCOs and the introduction of translation devices. Key concerns include the increasing length of detentions in reporting centre holding rooms which are unsuitable for long stays, the persistent issue of detainees lacking access to prescribed medication, and bureaucratic hurdles for IMB members to access airside facilities.
Key concerns identified
- Concerns about the continuing trend of longer and later detentions at reporting centre holding rooms, which have limited facilities and are not fit for long stays, potentially impacting detainee welfare upon onward transfer.
- The repeated concern, for the third year, regarding the lack of proper procedures for DCOs or qualified personnel to provide detainees with access to prescribed medication, adversely affecting welfare.
- Ongoing bureaucracy and differing airport management systems are impeding the issuance of airside passes for IMB members, hindering their ability to monitor airside holding rooms.
- The Board remains under-strength in active members, impacting its ability to fully monitor all sites, despite a recent recruitment campaign.
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the Board's ability to gather information, speak to detainees, and observe physical conditions due to remote monitoring requirements.
- The repeated concern, for the third year, regarding the lack of proper procedures for DCOs or qualified personnel to provide detainees with access to prescribed medication, adversely affecting welfare.
- Ongoing bureaucracy and differing airport management systems are impeding the issuance of airside passes for IMB members, hindering their ability to monitor airside holding rooms.
- The Board remains under-strength in active members, impacting its ability to fully monitor all sites, despite a recent recruitment campaign.
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the Board's ability to gather information, speak to detainees, and observe physical conditions due to remote monitoring requirements.
Bure
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 347
Assaults: 37
HMP Bure, a Category C prison, maintained high prisoner and staff morale during the COVID-19 pandemic despite extensive lockdowns. While progress was noted in property management, healthcare staffing, and inmate relationships, significant concerns persist regarding the estate, particularly ventilation and cramped cell conditions in Unit 7. Delays in psychology reports and a lack of palliative care facilities were identified as critical issues, alongside ongoing staffing shortages in the Offender Management Unit.
Key concerns identified
- Urgent work is required on the ventilation system in residences 1-6 to improve air quality, especially with extended lockdowns.
- There are significant delays in psychology reports, impacting offending behaviour programmes and prisoner progression.
- The continued presence of double bunks in Unit 7 cells, despite being single occupancy, results in cramped and unacceptable conditions.
- The provision of pre-release resettlement facilities for men convicted of sexual offences needs ongoing review.
- There is a lack of special accommodation and resources for palliative care and better conditions for disabled prisoners.
- The Offender Management Unit faces significant staffing shortages, impacting resettlement planning.
- There are significant delays in psychology reports, impacting offending behaviour programmes and prisoner progression.
- The continued presence of double bunks in Unit 7 cells, despite being single occupancy, results in cramped and unacceptable conditions.
- The provision of pre-release resettlement facilities for men convicted of sexual offences needs ongoing review.
- There is a lack of special accommodation and resources for palliative care and better conditions for disabled prisoners.
- The Offender Management Unit faces significant staffing shortages, impacting resettlement planning.