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.
Dovegate
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 1,018
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, experienced an increase in self-harm incidents and use of force during the reporting period, alongside five deaths in custody. Key concerns include a lack of specialist resources and exit plans for prisoners with personality disorders, significant pressure on offender management due to policy changes, and disruptions to the Therapeutic Community. Positively, education attendance and achievements are strong, and the Board notes improvements in property management, healthcare access, and various purposeful activity initiatives.
Key concerns identified
- 505 individuals self-harmed during the reporting period, with 1018 total incidents, an increase from the previous year.
- Use of force has increased, partly due to a policy on rigid bar handcuffs for non-compliant transfers.
- There is a need for more specialist resources to manage prisoners with personality disorders, as CSU staff lack expertise and exit plans for these prisoners are often non-existent.
- Changing policies on sentence calculations and release dates have placed significant pressure on the Offender Management Unit (OMU) resource and impacted sentence plans.
- Increased numbers of recalls significantly impact OMU workload, and the short timeframes for recalls (14/28 days) are deemed insufficient for effective resettlement support.
- A significant backlog exists in formalising Oasys sentence plans, hindering progression and resettlement.
- The demand for specialised mental health and personality disorder provision remains higher than available, lacking a structured plan for increased spaces and staff.
- Therapeutic Community stability has been disrupted by policy changes, leading men to leave therapy early, increasing churn and drug availability.
- Late arrivals of prisoners at HMP Dovegate, sometimes after midnight, cause issues for both reception staff and prisoners.
- A lack of suitable long-term accommodation near work placements hinders successful employment upon release.
- Use of force has increased, partly due to a policy on rigid bar handcuffs for non-compliant transfers.
- There is a need for more specialist resources to manage prisoners with personality disorders, as CSU staff lack expertise and exit plans for these prisoners are often non-existent.
- Changing policies on sentence calculations and release dates have placed significant pressure on the Offender Management Unit (OMU) resource and impacted sentence plans.
- Increased numbers of recalls significantly impact OMU workload, and the short timeframes for recalls (14/28 days) are deemed insufficient for effective resettlement support.
- A significant backlog exists in formalising Oasys sentence plans, hindering progression and resettlement.
- The demand for specialised mental health and personality disorder provision remains higher than available, lacking a structured plan for increased spaces and staff.
- Therapeutic Community stability has been disrupted by policy changes, leading men to leave therapy early, increasing churn and drug availability.
- Late arrivals of prisoners at HMP Dovegate, sometimes after midnight, cause issues for both reception staff and prisoners.
- A lack of suitable long-term accommodation near work placements hinders successful employment upon release.
Dovegate
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 814
HMP Dovegate, a privately run Category B training prison for men aged 21 and over, operated at or near its 1160 operational capacity during the reporting year. The Board observed generally calm wings with good staff-prisoner relationships and commended improvements in education. Key concerns include three deaths in custody, long healthcare and mental health transfer waiting times, persistent issues with lost property during transfers, and regime restrictions due to tight staffing levels exacerbated by a more complex prisoner population.
Key concerns identified
- Three deaths in custody occurred during the reporting year, one apparently self-inflicted.
- There is an increasing number of prisoners with complex issues, many from outside the local area, which combined with national prison population pressure, has changed the demographics and can cause conflict.
- Long waiting times for healthcare appointments and cancellations are a significant issue for prisoners.
- Prisoners with serious mental health issues face lengthy waits for transfer to secure mental health units, leading to deterioration and violent behaviour.
- Property lost during transfers between establishments remains a major, repeated concern, despite computerisation improvements.
- Tight staffing levels have resulted in regimes being cut back, restricting time out of cell and activities.
- There is an increasing number of prisoners with complex issues, many from outside the local area, which combined with national prison population pressure, has changed the demographics and can cause conflict.
- Long waiting times for healthcare appointments and cancellations are a significant issue for prisoners.
- Prisoners with serious mental health issues face lengthy waits for transfer to secure mental health units, leading to deterioration and violent behaviour.
- Property lost during transfers between establishments remains a major, repeated concern, despite computerisation improvements.
- Tight staffing levels have resulted in regimes being cut back, restricting time out of cell and activities.
Dovegate
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison managed by Serco, reported a generally calm and settled environment with good staff-prisoner relationships. Key challenges include persistent long waiting times for mental health transfers and dental appointments, along with concerns about lost prisoner property during transfers and staffing shortages affecting healthcare and education. The Board highlighted the need for improved strategies for IPP prisoners and more secure mental health spaces.
Key concerns identified
- A clear strategy is needed for the progression to release of IPP prisoners.
- The number of secure mental health spaces available is inadequate.
- The backlog of court appearances for remand prisoners, some held for over 12 months, needs addressing.
- Prisoners’ property continues to be lost in transit on a regular basis.
- Population pressures are increasing incidents, highlighting a need for more community-based sentences.
- Insufficient staff to ensure all healthcare appointments are attended.
- Lack of continuity and stability of staff in the CSU impacts Rule 45 reviews and prisoner support.
- Absence of a medical prescriber in Reception for out-of-standard-hours arrivals, affecting timely medication.
- Education and workshop activities require improvement for all prisoners.
- Continued training and development of inexperienced staff is essential for a safe environment.
- The number of secure mental health spaces available is inadequate.
- The backlog of court appearances for remand prisoners, some held for over 12 months, needs addressing.
- Prisoners’ property continues to be lost in transit on a regular basis.
- Population pressures are increasing incidents, highlighting a need for more community-based sentences.
- Insufficient staff to ensure all healthcare appointments are attended.
- Lack of continuity and stability of staff in the CSU impacts Rule 45 reviews and prisoner support.
- Absence of a medical prescriber in Reception for out-of-standard-hours arrivals, affecting timely medication.
- Education and workshop activities require improvement for all prisoners.
- Continued training and development of inexperienced staff is essential for a safe environment.
Dovegate
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 650
Assaults: 145
Staff assaults: 40
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, operated in a calm and settled manner despite ongoing Covid challenges and staff shortages. The Board commended improvements in staff culture, the effective use of body-worn cameras, and the high standards of cleanliness and food provision. However, significant concerns persist regarding the lack of a national electronic system for property transfers, the slow progress on converting the healthcare inpatient unit, and the increasing number of remand prisoners. The Board has made recommendations to the Minister, Prison Service, and Director to address these issues, many of which have been highlighted in previous reports.
Key concerns identified
- The inadequacy of HMPPS review of property procedures and the lack of a modern, national electronic system for property transfer remains a significant issue, repeatedly highlighted by the Board.
- Slow progress on reviewing IPP sentences, with many prisoners still held under an abolished sentence.
- A significant increase in remand prisoners due to court system delays.
- Plans for converting the healthcare inpatient unit to adequately meet mental health and palliative care needs have not yet been actioned.
- The reduction in hospital escorts from six to four per day has contributed to increased waiting times.
- Proposed changes to the Care and Segregation Unit (CSU), including exercise yard and gym equipment, have not yet been implemented.
- The kitchen equipment service company's contract needs reviewing due to ongoing equipment breakdowns and slow repairs.
- Slow progress on reviewing IPP sentences, with many prisoners still held under an abolished sentence.
- A significant increase in remand prisoners due to court system delays.
- Plans for converting the healthcare inpatient unit to adequately meet mental health and palliative care needs have not yet been actioned.
- The reduction in hospital escorts from six to four per day has contributed to increased waiting times.
- Proposed changes to the Care and Segregation Unit (CSU), including exercise yard and gym equipment, have not yet been implemented.
- The kitchen equipment service company's contract needs reviewing due to ongoing equipment breakdowns and slow repairs.
Dovegate
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 584
Assaults: 96
Staff assaults: 24
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, maintained a generally calm environment with positive staff-resident relationships despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board welcomed improvements in facilities, the rollout of body-worn cameras, and innovative staff recruitment. However, significant concerns remain regarding unresolved property transfer issues, the lack of progress for IPP prisoners, and the inadequacy of the healthcare inpatient unit, alongside a dramatic rise in healthcare waiting times due to pandemic restrictions.
Key concerns identified
- Prisoners’ property during transfer remains a significant issue, repeatedly highlighted without a national solution.
- Focus on reviewing sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) prisoners to enable progression and safe release.
- Urgently accelerate plans for converting or upgrading the inpatient unit in healthcare to provide adequate consultation and treatment rooms, and specifically upgrade the bath/shower room.
- Reinstate escorts to outside hospital appointments to previous levels to reduce dramatically risen waiting times.
- Encourage staff to make proper use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs), ensuring they are turned on for in-cell interactions and their value as de-escalation/evidential tools is understood.
- Focus on reviewing sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) prisoners to enable progression and safe release.
- Urgently accelerate plans for converting or upgrading the inpatient unit in healthcare to provide adequate consultation and treatment rooms, and specifically upgrade the bath/shower room.
- Reinstate escorts to outside hospital appointments to previous levels to reduce dramatically risen waiting times.
- Encourage staff to make proper use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs), ensuring they are turned on for in-cell interactions and their value as de-escalation/evidential tools is understood.
Dovegate
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 775
Staff assaults: 48
HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, maintained a generally calm environment despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with effective measures preventing outbreaks. The Board noted positive staff-prisoner relationships and good facilities, but highlighted persistent concerns including race disparity in segregation, lack of body-worn cameras, and issues with prisoner property transfers. Healthcare provision saw improvements in waiting times, but inpatient facilities require upgrades and a lack of confidential therapeutic space on wings remains.
Key concerns identified
- Ongoing race disparity in segregation and the lack of investigation into this issue.
- Lack of functional body-worn cameras for staff, despite being raised in previous reports.
- Persistent problems with prisoners' property during transfers, a long-standing national issue.
- Substandard and unhygienic toilet facilities in the main health centre waiting room and dated inpatient bath/shower facilities.
- Absence of purposeful activity for residents in the inpatient healthcare unit.
- Lack of confidential therapeutic space for mental health assessments and interventions on the wings, and the need for provision for non-faith prisoners.
- Lack of functional body-worn cameras for staff, despite being raised in previous reports.
- Persistent problems with prisoners' property during transfers, a long-standing national issue.
- Substandard and unhygienic toilet facilities in the main health centre waiting room and dated inpatient bath/shower facilities.
- Absence of purposeful activity for residents in the inpatient healthcare unit.
- Lack of confidential therapeutic space for mental health assessments and interventions on the wings, and the need for provision for non-faith prisoners.