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.
Rochester
PRISON
Concerns
Rochester experienced an exceptionally challenging year marked by leadership instability and an HMIP Urgent Notification highlighting long-standing failures. While safety metrics showed improvement and staff interactions with prisoners were generally positive, the prison grappled with dilapidated infrastructure, persistent property issues, and staffing shortages impacting the regime. Major cohort changes were implemented too quickly, creating significant logistical demands.
Key concerns identified
- Persistent lack of consistent senior leadership created a significant lack of structure and impacted the prison's ability to address issues.
- The HMIP Urgent Notification highlighted long-standing failures, with recommendations from a 2021 inspection still unaddressed, particularly in respect, purposeful activity, and preparation for release.
- The prison's Edwardian-built wings continue to deteriorate, barely meeting acceptable accommodation standards, with ongoing issues like mould and vermin.
- Major strategic changes, including the Cookham Wood merger and the introduction of PCoSOs, were implemented too quickly with insufficient planning, causing significant logistical and operational disruption.
- Staffing shortages due to high sickness and inexperience frequently lead to restricted regimes and limited time out of cell for prisoners.
- Ongoing problems with property loss during transfers and internal moves persist, exacerbated by a failure to implement volumetric control.
- There is a lack of trainers and tutors in Education and Skills, and insufficient provision of behavioural programmes, particularly for PCoSOs, impacting resettlement.
- The HMIP Urgent Notification highlighted long-standing failures, with recommendations from a 2021 inspection still unaddressed, particularly in respect, purposeful activity, and preparation for release.
- The prison's Edwardian-built wings continue to deteriorate, barely meeting acceptable accommodation standards, with ongoing issues like mould and vermin.
- Major strategic changes, including the Cookham Wood merger and the introduction of PCoSOs, were implemented too quickly with insufficient planning, causing significant logistical and operational disruption.
- Staffing shortages due to high sickness and inexperience frequently lead to restricted regimes and limited time out of cell for prisoners.
- Ongoing problems with property loss during transfers and internal moves persist, exacerbated by a failure to implement volumetric control.
- There is a lack of trainers and tutors in Education and Skills, and insufficient provision of behavioural programmes, particularly for PCoSOs, impacting resettlement.
Cookham Wood
PRISON
Concerns
HMYOI Cookham Wood operated as a young offender institution until its closure in May 2024, after a period of significant instability and an Urgent Notification from HMIP. Throughout much of the reporting period, boys experienced an unpredictable regime with limited time out of cell and inconsistent education due to resource shortages. However, a marked improvement in the regime was observed in the final weeks as the population decreased, demonstrating the potential for a more humane environment with sufficient staffing. The closure process itself raised major concerns regarding leadership, communication, and the impact on relocated boys and specialist staff.
Key concerns identified
- Cookham Wood was an unstable and unsettling place for boys, with makeshift weapons commonplace and a pervasive fear of violence.
- Boys were frequently locked in their rooms for over 20 hours a day, consistently failing to meet the minimum standard of two hours out of cell, which the Board deemed inhumane.
- The constantly changing regimes and broken promises about activities and association time shattered trust, leading to significant frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem among the boys.
- Insufficient officer numbers frequently meant education and purposeful activity were irregular and inconsistent, limiting opportunities for rehabilitation.
- The decision to close the YOI, and the lack of timely, concrete information, caused extreme uncertainty and anxiety for boys being relocated far from home, and severely damaged staff morale.
- Overall, there was an appalling lack of clarity of leadership and impactful project management from YCS and HMPPS regarding the closure and the future of highly trained staff and budgets.
- Boys were frequently locked in their rooms for over 20 hours a day, consistently failing to meet the minimum standard of two hours out of cell, which the Board deemed inhumane.
- The constantly changing regimes and broken promises about activities and association time shattered trust, leading to significant frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem among the boys.
- Insufficient officer numbers frequently meant education and purposeful activity were irregular and inconsistent, limiting opportunities for rehabilitation.
- The decision to close the YOI, and the lack of timely, concrete information, caused extreme uncertainty and anxiety for boys being relocated far from home, and severely damaged staff morale.
- Overall, there was an appalling lack of clarity of leadership and impactful project management from YCS and HMPPS regarding the closure and the future of highly trained staff and budgets.
Werrington
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 136
Assaults: 154
Staff assaults: 150
HMYOI Werrington's report for 2023-2024 highlights ongoing challenges with violence, inadequate education, and poor time out of room, despite some improvements in conflict resolution and healthcare provision. Staffing shortages in social care and difficulties in monitoring segregation contribute to key concerns. The Board raises several recommendations to the Minister, Youth Custody Service, Local Authority, and Governor to address these issues and improve conditions for young people.
Key concerns identified
- The general level and severity of violence, including fights and assaults, remain a significant concern.
- Educational provision is wholly inadequate due to restricted regime, violence, 'keep-aparts', and contractual issues.
- The inhumane accommodation of young people, legally children, far from family due to YOI Cookham Wood's closure, is a serious issue.
- Time out of room continues to be poor, especially at weekends, falling below pre-pandemic levels.
- Staffing levels in social care are low, impacting workload and support for vulnerable young adults.
- Monitoring of Rule 49 reviews by the IMB is hindered by infrequent submission of paperwork.
- The number of young people self-isolating has increased due to fear of others' behaviour and getting into trouble.
- Educational provision is wholly inadequate due to restricted regime, violence, 'keep-aparts', and contractual issues.
- The inhumane accommodation of young people, legally children, far from family due to YOI Cookham Wood's closure, is a serious issue.
- Time out of room continues to be poor, especially at weekends, falling below pre-pandemic levels.
- Staffing levels in social care are low, impacting workload and support for vulnerable young adults.
- Monitoring of Rule 49 reviews by the IMB is hindered by infrequent submission of paperwork.
- The number of young people self-isolating has increased due to fear of others' behaviour and getting into trouble.
Cookham Wood
PRISON
Concerns
HMYOI Cookham Wood faced significant challenges, including an inhumane regime with consistently low time out of cell, severe staffing shortages, and poor education provision, leading to an 'Urgent Notification' by HMIP. Despite these issues, the healthcare services were commended, and the resettlement team achieved national recognition for their work. Key concerns persist regarding the length of time boys spend on remand, the regime for older young adults, and the impact of staff attrition on overall conditions.
Key concerns identified
- The inhumane regime, with boys held in cells for excessively long periods and inconsistent time out of cell.
- Long periods boys spend on remand due to court backlogs, leading to unjust and inhumane detention.
- The inadequate regime for 18-year-olds retained at Cookham Wood due to adult estate pressures.
- Challenges in securing timely accommodation for boys returning to local authority care on release.
- High officer attrition and inadequate staffing levels severely impacting regime delivery and relationships with boys.
- Poor education provision, lacking in quantity of teachers and range of subjects, including vocational options.
- Slow progress on essential landing refurbishment, including the Cedar resettlement unit.
- Long periods boys spend on remand due to court backlogs, leading to unjust and inhumane detention.
- The inadequate regime for 18-year-olds retained at Cookham Wood due to adult estate pressures.
- Challenges in securing timely accommodation for boys returning to local authority care on release.
- High officer attrition and inadequate staffing levels severely impacting regime delivery and relationships with boys.
- Poor education provision, lacking in quantity of teachers and range of subjects, including vocational options.
- Slow progress on essential landing refurbishment, including the Cedar resettlement unit.
Cookham Wood
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 35
Assaults: 282
Staff assaults: 130
This report highlights a period of significant challenges and some positive developments at HMYOI Cookham Wood. While improvements were noted in aspects of healthcare and staff dedication, major concerns persist regarding the inhumane regime, severe staffing shortages, and prolonged periods of isolation for boys. The IMB raises critical questions to the Minister, Youth Custody Service, and Governor regarding these systemic issues, emphasizing the impact on the safety, welfare, and progression of young people in custody.
Key concerns identified
- Inhumanely long periods for boys held on remand due to court backlogs, with questions about ministerial action from previous reports remaining unanswered.
- Continued leadership churn with temporary Governor appointments.
- Persistent delays in transferring 18+ boys to the adult estate, posing risks to children in the YOI.
- Poor performance and significant delays from Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) on capital projects and general maintenance, leading to unfinished facilities and poor value for money.
- Inadequate staffing levels preventing the delivery of a full and consistent regime, including sufficient time out of cell and education.
- Inhumane time out of cell, particularly for segregated and separated boys, often exceeding 22 hours per day.
- Failure to provide regular weekly corporate worship for boys of faith.
- Some boys carrying improvised weapons due to feeling unsafe within the establishment, alongside high levels of violence.
- Underuse of the refurbished Phoenix unit due to staff shortages, denying vulnerable boys much-needed support.
- Poor living conditions, including grubby communal areas and extensive, offensive graffiti in cells and yards.
- Continued leadership churn with temporary Governor appointments.
- Persistent delays in transferring 18+ boys to the adult estate, posing risks to children in the YOI.
- Poor performance and significant delays from Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) on capital projects and general maintenance, leading to unfinished facilities and poor value for money.
- Inadequate staffing levels preventing the delivery of a full and consistent regime, including sufficient time out of cell and education.
- Inhumane time out of cell, particularly for segregated and separated boys, often exceeding 22 hours per day.
- Failure to provide regular weekly corporate worship for boys of faith.
- Some boys carrying improvised weapons due to feeling unsafe within the establishment, alongside high levels of violence.
- Underuse of the refurbished Phoenix unit due to staff shortages, denying vulnerable boys much-needed support.
- Poor living conditions, including grubby communal areas and extensive, offensive graffiti in cells and yards.
Cookham Wood
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 29
Assaults: 234
Staff assaults: 132
HMYOI Cookham Wood operated with a restricted regime during the reporting year due to Covid-19, leading to boys being locked in their rooms for extended periods and a significant reduction in purposeful activity and education. Staff shortages exacerbated these issues, though staff dedication and the transformation of the resettlement team were noted positives. Key concerns include the continued lack of secure mental health beds, delays in transferring 18+ year-olds, and inadequate IT facilities, all contributing to an environment the IMB deemed detrimental to the boys' wellbeing and development.
Key concerns identified
- There is a chronic lack of secure mental health hospital beds nationally for children, leading to inhumane delays in transferring boys with significant mental health issues.
- Delays in transferring boys aged 18+ to the adult estate are inhumane.
- Cookham Wood suffers from a serious lack of IT facilities and telephone capacity, hindering communication with families and external agencies.
- Boys were subjected to a severely restricted regime, long periods locked in their rooms, and persistent 'family bubble' restrictions.
- There are no plans for full-time education to resume, placing boys at a significant disadvantage compared to peers in the community.
- The YOI faces a lack of leadership continuity with temporary Governor appointments.
- Difficulties with certain London Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) negatively impact resettlement efforts.
- Delays in transferring boys aged 18+ to the adult estate are inhumane.
- Cookham Wood suffers from a serious lack of IT facilities and telephone capacity, hindering communication with families and external agencies.
- Boys were subjected to a severely restricted regime, long periods locked in their rooms, and persistent 'family bubble' restrictions.
- There are no plans for full-time education to resume, placing boys at a significant disadvantage compared to peers in the community.
- The YOI faces a lack of leadership continuity with temporary Governor appointments.
- Difficulties with certain London Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) negatively impact resettlement efforts.
Cookham Wood
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 108
The IMB report for HMYOI Cookham Wood covers 1 August 2019 – 31 August 2020, focusing heavily on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. While staff are commended for their caring approach and efforts to maintain safety and welfare, particularly during initial lockdown, the severe and protracted regime resulted in boys being locked in their rooms for over 23 hours a day, raising significant concerns about inhumane treatment, especially for those in segregation or with mental health issues. Key challenges include the unfit Phoenix segregation unit, national shortages of mental health beds, delays in transferring young adults, and an increasing remand population, all exacerbated by the lack of IT capacity during the pandemic.
Key concerns identified
- The Phoenix segregation unit is unfit for purpose, inhumane, and its conditions, including lack of individual showers/telephones and brutal exercise yard, have a severe impact on boys.
- Significant sub-group of the prison population endured extremely long stays in segregation (some for more than 90 days), isolated for up to 23 hours a day, with minimal human contact.
- Chronic lack of secure mental health hospital beds nationally results in boys with significant mental health issues being held in Cookham Wood's CSU, without necessary therapeutic treatment.
- Delays in transferring 18+ year-olds with long sentences and complex needs to young adult YOIs, leading to prolonged, inhumane stays, often in segregation.
- The severe lockdown regime, locking boys in rooms for over 23 hours a day, contravenes Mandela rules and poses a risk of long-term mental health complications.
- The significantly increased percentage of boys held on remand due to court delays means children endure long periods in prison, potentially to be found 'not guilty'.
- Cookham Wood's serious lack of IT facilities and telephone capacity greatly inhibited effective communication and planning with external agencies and families during lockdown.
- Current policy does not allow boys to start apprenticeships while still in a YOI.
- Significant sub-group of the prison population endured extremely long stays in segregation (some for more than 90 days), isolated for up to 23 hours a day, with minimal human contact.
- Chronic lack of secure mental health hospital beds nationally results in boys with significant mental health issues being held in Cookham Wood's CSU, without necessary therapeutic treatment.
- Delays in transferring 18+ year-olds with long sentences and complex needs to young adult YOIs, leading to prolonged, inhumane stays, often in segregation.
- The severe lockdown regime, locking boys in rooms for over 23 hours a day, contravenes Mandela rules and poses a risk of long-term mental health complications.
- The significantly increased percentage of boys held on remand due to court delays means children endure long periods in prison, potentially to be found 'not guilty'.
- Cookham Wood's serious lack of IT facilities and telephone capacity greatly inhibited effective communication and planning with external agencies and families during lockdown.
- Current policy does not allow boys to start apprenticeships while still in a YOI.