IMB Annual Reports

- The ongoing challenge of re-sentencing for IPP prisoners in the open estate.
- The significant workload and pressure placed on prison departments by temporary early release schemes (SDS40).
- The failing system for transferring prisoner property between establishments, leading to increased complaints.
- The constant need for increased investment in capital projects and maintenance for the prison estate, including rusting modular units.
- Persistent issues with 'did not attends' (DNAs) for healthcare appointments, wasting resources.
- The Board's continued advocacy for single room accommodation for all prisoners to enhance privacy and dignity.

- The ongoing poor provision and quality of food from the HMP Hollesley Bay kitchen, with the IMB repeatedly urging the reinstatement of an on-site kitchen at Warren Hill.
- Disappointment and disquiet regarding Ministerial intervention delaying or preventing progression to open conditions or release following successful parole hearings, and the continued suspension of the ROTL pilot.
- The need for further investment in the prison's estate, particularly for the refurbishment of shower blocks beyond the one currently underway, some of which were highlighted in last year's report.
- Lack of sufficient digital technology training and access, such as in-cell laptops, which are crucial for preparing prisoners for successful resettlement in the modern world.
- Difficulties and discrepancies in funding and provision of social care for prisoners due to local authority differences, impacting those with physical or mental incapacities.
- Misuse of legitimate prescription medications, such as pregabalin and gabapentin, by a small percentage of the population.

- The Government's rejection of re-sentencing for IPP prisoners.
- The negative impact of temporary presumptive recategorisation scheme (TPRS) on prisoner engagement and meaningful preparation for release.
- Insufficient investment in the open estate for capital projects and maintenance, alongside the ineffective Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework.
- Lack of a dedicated search dog for Hollesley Bay and the issue of late prisoner arrivals at prisons without 24-hour healthcare provision.
- The absence of a key worker scheme in the open estate, which could offer valuable support to prisoners nearing release.
- The continued need for single rooms across the establishment and the slow, cumbersome medication dispensing arrangements.

bullet Ongoing concerns about the provision and quality of food from HMP Hollesley Bay.
bullet The decision to suspend the ROTL pilot, impacting prisoner progression and preparation for release.
bullet Transfer of prisoners’ property remains a major concern, despite local solutions.
bullet Need for further investment in the prison estate, with outstanding work beyond current shower block renovations.
bullet Development of resettlement support, including better access to digital technologies, to reduce recall rates.
bullet Staffing shortages at the education provider, People Plus, and restrictive contract processes impacting learners.
bullet Secretary of State’s intervention delaying movement to Category D or release after parole, negatively affecting prisoner mental health.
bullet Discrepancies between local authorities regarding social care funding and equipment provision.
bullet Prisoner dissatisfaction with pay levels and the impact of increasing costs on purchasing power.

- The government's decision not to support the re-sentencing of IPP prisoners.
- The continued prevalence of multiple-occupancy cells, despite the addition of new units providing an opportunity to eliminate them.
- The ongoing backlog of repair and maintenance issues affecting the prison's fabric, including plumbing, roofs, and general appearance.
- The perceived inadequacy of food provision, particularly lunch, and concerns about food transport to HMP Warren Hill.
- High Did Not Attend (DNA) rates for both general healthcare and dental appointments, often attributed to staff not passing on appointment letters promptly.
- A persistent lack of trust among some Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) prisoners in the formal complaints system, despite robust equality monitoring.

- Ongoing issues with the quality, quantity, choice, and temperature of food provided from Hollesley Bay kitchen, with the Board reiterating its call for a kitchen to be reinstated at Warren Hill.
- The suspension of the Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) pilot, which is deeply regretted by the Board due to its value in resettlement and progression.
- Persistent problems with the movement of prisoners' property, a concern raised by the Board for at least six years.
- Difficulties with the in-cell telephony system, where prisoners are charged for unanswered calls or calls where a message cannot be left.
- The recent decisions by the Secretary of State impacting parole hearings and progression, which have caused a loss of morale among prisoners.
- Challenges in healthcare, including locum GP shortages and discrepancies in social care funding from different local authorities.

- Inadequate and unreliable plumbing, leading to frequent hot water and water pressure problems for showers, requiring a major overhaul.
- Creaking infrastructure, including leaking roofs, faulty guttering, broken paving, and ill-lit areas, necessitating a comprehensive modernisation and refurbishment plan, including the collapsing gymnasium floor.
- Food quality, particularly lunch, is considered barely adequate, a recurring issue from previous years.
- Disappointment over the failure to roll out the key worker system in the open estate, which is seen as highly beneficial for prisoners' resettlement.
- Persistent issues with loss of prisoner property, especially during transfers from other prisons.
- A significant number of missed GP appointments (14%), partly due to staff failing to deliver appointment letters to prisoners in good time.
- Low take-up of maths and English education courses.
- Disgruntlement among prisoners over the withdrawal of the free newspaper service.
- Injustices within the indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) regime.

- The ongoing difficulties with the provision and quality of food from the Hollesley Bay kitchens, including an incident where a dead mouse was found in a heated trolley, which has led to a breakdown in trust and numerous complaints.
- The continued delay in publishing the long-awaited review of the handling of prisoners’ property, which remains a matter of concern for both current and transferred property issues.
- The missed opportunity to install in-cell laptops concurrently with the planned in-cell telephony upgrade, limiting prisoners' access to learning and applications.
- Several estate issues, including some doors lacking adequate apertures for fire hoses, ill-fitting windows with withdrawn replacement funding, and slow progress on a wheelchair-accessible room and wet room.
- The severe curtailment of the progression regime, purposeful activity, education classes, group therapy, and the Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) scheme due to the pandemic.
- Disruption to the key worker system, which became a "box-ticking" exercise, although management is addressing this with refresher courses and strengthened supervision.

- A more systematic approach to individual prisoner development is needed for training and employment opportunities.
- The physical condition and infrastructure of the prison requires a comprehensive review and capital investment programme.
- The quality, variety, and funding of educational and vocational training provision need enhancement to better reflect job market needs.
- The adequacy of food provision, particularly lunch, remains a concern, having been reported in previous years.
- COVID-19 restrictions severely impacted key services, leading to a backlog in dental care, reduced Listener scheme capacity, and less effective resident engagement.