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.
Exeter
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Exeter is an all-male and young offender category B reception prison (Local) with a small resettlement function. At the end of the reporting year, its operational capacity remains at 310. During the year there were four deaths in custody.
Key concerns identified
bullet Delays in the CCTV project and the continued closure of A wing impact negatively on the safety and security of prisoners and staff
bullet A rise in the number of illicit items entering the prison which causes intermittent instability
bullet An increased number of prisoners self-isolating, linked to the high number of deaths in custody, but with some improvements in supporting their needs
bullet Poor conditions in D wing – too hot in summer, damp and mould in winter
bullet Lack of permanent, suitable clinical and peer review space throughout 2025
bullet Reduced variety and choice in the provision of educational courses
bullet A rise in the number of illicit items entering the prison which causes intermittent instability
bullet An increased number of prisoners self-isolating, linked to the high number of deaths in custody, but with some improvements in supporting their needs
bullet Poor conditions in D wing – too hot in summer, damp and mould in winter
bullet Lack of permanent, suitable clinical and peer review space throughout 2025
bullet Reduced variety and choice in the provision of educational courses
Exeter
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 276
Assaults: 120
HMP Exeter continues efforts to improve living conditions and outcomes amidst significant challenges, including high prisoner turnover, an increasing remand population, and persistent issues with an aging estate and refurbishment delays. The prison has seen positive trends in reducing violence and self-harm incidents, and healthcare provision is improving despite staffing shortages. Key concerns remain around the unsuitability of temporary segregation facilities, illicit drug use, property loss, and the sustainability of safety improvements if additional funding is withdrawn.
Key concerns identified
• Ongoing and overrunning refurbishment projects, particularly the continued closure of A wing and the unsuitability of the temporary Care and Separation Unit (CSU).
• Deteriorating prison fabric, specifically damp, mould, and plumbing issues in D wing.
• Persistent availability and illicit use of drugs within the prison.
• Staffing shortages in healthcare, leading to diversion of staff and impacts on patient engagement and complaint resolution.
• Inadequate preparation and support for prisoners released under early release schemes, and the lack of appropriate accommodation on release.
• Deteriorating prison fabric, specifically damp, mould, and plumbing issues in D wing.
• Persistent availability and illicit use of drugs within the prison.
• Staffing shortages in healthcare, leading to diversion of staff and impacts on patient engagement and complaint resolution.
• Inadequate preparation and support for prisoners released under early release schemes, and the lack of appropriate accommodation on release.
Exeter
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 384
Assaults: 252
HMP Exeter faced another challenging year, operating under an Urgent Notification due to high levels of violence and self-harm, alongside significant staffing instability, particularly in healthcare. Major refurbishment projects continued, impacting operational capacity and regimes, compounded by persistent overcrowding and unsuitable conditions in the temporary Care and Separation Unit. While improvements were noted in induction processes and use of force governance, critical issues like security vulnerabilities, challenges in purposeful activity due to high turnover, and deficiencies in property management remained key concerns.
Key concerns identified
- Overcrowding and the poor condition of the Victorian buildings, impacting humane living conditions and purposeful activity.
- Persistent high levels of violence and self-harm compared to similar prisons, despite efforts to improve safety.
- Unsuitable and deteriorating conditions in the temporary Care and Separation Unit (CSU), causing concern for the humane treatment and wellbeing of segregated prisoners.
- The CCTV system remains unfit for purpose, creating safety and security vulnerabilities and hindering effective incident management.
- Major challenges in delivering purposeful activity and expanding regime opportunities due to rapid prisoner turnover.
- Continuing deficiencies in the systems for managing prisoners’ property, leading to a high volume of complaints and resentment over perceived unfairness.
- A significant lack of suitable accommodation available for some prisoners on their release, identified as a key factor in post-release deaths by the PPO.
- Persistent high levels of violence and self-harm compared to similar prisons, despite efforts to improve safety.
- Unsuitable and deteriorating conditions in the temporary Care and Separation Unit (CSU), causing concern for the humane treatment and wellbeing of segregated prisoners.
- The CCTV system remains unfit for purpose, creating safety and security vulnerabilities and hindering effective incident management.
- Major challenges in delivering purposeful activity and expanding regime opportunities due to rapid prisoner turnover.
- Continuing deficiencies in the systems for managing prisoners’ property, leading to a high volume of complaints and resentment over perceived unfairness.
- A significant lack of suitable accommodation available for some prisoners on their release, identified as a key factor in post-release deaths by the PPO.
Exeter
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Exeter, a Category B local and resettlement prison, experienced persistent high levels of violence and self-harm, alongside challenges with staffing instability and extensive refurbishment work in 2022. While healthcare provision was generally satisfactory, access to psychological therapies remained limited, and living conditions were often impacted by overcrowding and restricted regimes. Progress towards successful resettlement was hindered by short sentences, lack of work opportunities, and staff shortages.
Key concerns identified
- High levels of violence and self-harm, with vulnerabilities at managerial and operational levels.
- Concerns about the effectiveness and timely execution of Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) processes.
- Inhumane living conditions due to slow exit from Covid restrictions, staff shortages, extensive refurbishment, and overcrowding.
- Limited access to psychological therapies (online or face-to-face) for anxiety and mild to moderate depression.
- Limited progress in resettlement for short-term and resettlement prisoners due to short timeframes and lack of work opportunities.
- Backlog in staff training, especially Control and Restraint (C&R).
- Poor management of prisoners’ property, leading to losses and compensation costs, both internally and on transfer.
- Inadequate arrangements for prisoner induction, particularly for young adults, and lack of quality assurance.
- Concerns about the effectiveness and timely execution of Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) processes.
- Inhumane living conditions due to slow exit from Covid restrictions, staff shortages, extensive refurbishment, and overcrowding.
- Limited access to psychological therapies (online or face-to-face) for anxiety and mild to moderate depression.
- Limited progress in resettlement for short-term and resettlement prisoners due to short timeframes and lack of work opportunities.
- Backlog in staff training, especially Control and Restraint (C&R).
- Poor management of prisoners’ property, leading to losses and compensation costs, both internally and on transfer.
- Inadequate arrangements for prisoner induction, particularly for young adults, and lack of quality assurance.
Exeter
PRISON
Concerns
Assaults: 256
Staff assaults: 128
HMP Exeter, a Category B local and resettlement prison, averaged 406 prisoners with an operational capacity of 431, and continued to operate under restricted regimes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The prison experienced high levels of violence (256 prisoner assaults, 128 staff assaults) and a return to very high self-harm rates (monthly average around 70 incidents towards year-end). Key concerns include persistent staff shortages and high turnover, particularly within the SMT, the ineffectiveness of CSIPs, and the inadequacy of resettlement opportunities. Despite these challenges, the Board noted improvements in use of force management, cleanliness, and ACCT procedures.
Key concerns identified
- The Secretary of State needs to exert influence to help the retention of prison officers by recognising their work and ensuring parity with other public servant roles.
- There is a need for increased human and financial resources to more effectively support the rehabilitative and resettlement role of local prisons.
- Efforts must be intensified to support individuals at risk of homelessness on release and improve accommodation outcomes through local authorities and the Probation Service.
- The Prison Service must urgently support Governors to reduce the backlog in staff training, particularly C&R basic, refresher, and advanced training.
- Improvements are needed in systems, processes, and expectations for the management of prisoners’ property, which often reflects insufficient care and attention.
- The arrangements for procurement of maintenance work need improvement to ensure Governors can confidently schedule changes impacting prisoners' access to services or amenities.
- Investment is required in IT infrastructure, hardware, and technical support to enable prisons to function more effectively and communicate diversely with stakeholders.
- Arrangements for external seconded and temporary SMT cover should be improved to ensure stability and continuity in leadership.
- The Governor needs to review and improve prisoner induction arrangements, especially for young adults, ensuring all essential information is provided, including about the IMB.
- The effectiveness, management, and oversight of Challenge, Support and Intervention Plans (CSIPs) must be improved.
- Systems and processes for the receipt, recording, and distribution of prisoners’ property should be reviewed to ensure effective communication and respectful, timely distribution.
- The recording of prisoner complaints needs review to ensure consistency of data categorisation for analytical purposes.
- Plans for prisoner progression and the resettlement role of the prison must be prioritised to improve outcomes in education, training, and workshop opportunities.
- Communication with and feedback opportunities for prisoners require improvement.
- There is a need for increased human and financial resources to more effectively support the rehabilitative and resettlement role of local prisons.
- Efforts must be intensified to support individuals at risk of homelessness on release and improve accommodation outcomes through local authorities and the Probation Service.
- The Prison Service must urgently support Governors to reduce the backlog in staff training, particularly C&R basic, refresher, and advanced training.
- Improvements are needed in systems, processes, and expectations for the management of prisoners’ property, which often reflects insufficient care and attention.
- The arrangements for procurement of maintenance work need improvement to ensure Governors can confidently schedule changes impacting prisoners' access to services or amenities.
- Investment is required in IT infrastructure, hardware, and technical support to enable prisons to function more effectively and communicate diversely with stakeholders.
- Arrangements for external seconded and temporary SMT cover should be improved to ensure stability and continuity in leadership.
- The Governor needs to review and improve prisoner induction arrangements, especially for young adults, ensuring all essential information is provided, including about the IMB.
- The effectiveness, management, and oversight of Challenge, Support and Intervention Plans (CSIPs) must be improved.
- Systems and processes for the receipt, recording, and distribution of prisoners’ property should be reviewed to ensure effective communication and respectful, timely distribution.
- The recording of prisoner complaints needs review to ensure consistency of data categorisation for analytical purposes.
- Plans for prisoner progression and the resettlement role of the prison must be prioritised to improve outcomes in education, training, and workshop opportunities.
- Communication with and feedback opportunities for prisoners require improvement.
Exeter
PRISON
Concerns
Staff assaults: 78
This report presents the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Exeter for the year 2020. The prison managed the COVID-19 pandemic well, with a settled atmosphere and low virus transmission, despite severe restrictions curtailing regime activities. While staff provided humane treatment and healthcare met community standards, significant concerns persist regarding the inadequate provision for prisoners with serious mental health issues, challenges in staff recruitment and retention, and the limited opportunities for education and resettlement due to the restricted regime.
Key concerns identified
- Availability of accommodation on release
- Inadequate provision for prisoners with serious mental health issues
- Risk of restricted regimes continuing post-COVID-19
- Persistent staffing challenges and leadership instability
- Deteriorating prison fabric and delays in essential maintenance
- Ineffective case management of ACCTs and CSIP
- Intermittent delivery and low engagement with the keyworker scheme
- Cramped conditions and lack of privacy in shared cells
- Unpleasant and austere environment of the Segregation Unit
- Poor administrative functioning and inconsistent data recording
- Incomplete fitting of bed rails on bunk beds
- Inadequate provision for prisoners with serious mental health issues
- Risk of restricted regimes continuing post-COVID-19
- Persistent staffing challenges and leadership instability
- Deteriorating prison fabric and delays in essential maintenance
- Ineffective case management of ACCTs and CSIP
- Intermittent delivery and low engagement with the keyworker scheme
- Cramped conditions and lack of privacy in shared cells
- Unpleasant and austere environment of the Segregation Unit
- Poor administrative functioning and inconsistent data recording
- Incomplete fitting of bed rails on bunk beds