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.
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHF
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 1
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 1
The IMB report for North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHFs highlights generally positive staff-detainee interactions and a relaxed atmosphere at Swinderby RSTHF, but raises significant concerns across the wider STHF estate. Key issues include inadequate risk identification processes, the inhumane policy of confiscating medication, and the unsuitability of several holding facilities. The Board's ability to monitor effectively is severely hampered by restricted access to records and persistent unresponsiveness from the Home Office regarding critical concerns, including medical confidentiality breaches and emergency response failures.
Key concerns identified
- Inadequate reception interviews for risk identification and lack of privacy at Swinderby RSTHF.
- Ongoing concerns regarding Home Office policy preventing detainees from taking their own medication for pre-existing conditions.
- Unsuitable physical conditions and routine use of handcuffing at some port and reporting centre STHFs (e.g., Leeds Bradford, Hull, Sheffield Vulcan House).
- Significant restrictions on the IMB's access to STHF records, compromising effective and independent monitoring.
- A serious breach of medical confidentiality and shortcomings in emergency healthcare response following an attempted suicide at Swinderby.
- The Home Office's consistent failure to respond promptly and adequately to IMB concerns and escalations.
- Ongoing concerns regarding Home Office policy preventing detainees from taking their own medication for pre-existing conditions.
- Unsuitable physical conditions and routine use of handcuffing at some port and reporting centre STHFs (e.g., Leeds Bradford, Hull, Sheffield Vulcan House).
- Significant restrictions on the IMB's access to STHF records, compromising effective and independent monitoring.
- A serious breach of medical confidentiality and shortcomings in emergency healthcare response following an attempted suicide at Swinderby.
- The Home Office's consistent failure to respond promptly and adequately to IMB concerns and escalations.
Humber
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 1,175
Assaults: 238
Staff assaults: 104
HMP Humber, a Category C resettlement prison, experienced significant challenges in 2024 due to high prisoner turnover and population pressures. While the Board commends management's efforts in maintaining safety and improving regime stability, issues persist concerning property loss, inadequate purposeful activity, and cell sharing. Healthcare provision is improving but faces space and recruitment challenges, while key worker schemes are compromised by staffing shortages.
Key concerns identified
- The high level of 'short time to release' prisoners creates significant 'churn' pressure, impacting regime, education, employment, and the OMU.
- There are not enough education, skills or workplaces, leading to low attendance and too many prisoners being released to no fixed abode.
- Prisoner property loss during transfers remains an unacceptable and long-standing issue, exacerbated by increased churn.
- 256 prisoners are sharing cells designated for single occupancy, which the Board views as unsatisfactory or not decent.
- Key worker sessions are severely compromised by high prisoner turnover and staffing pressures, leading to low figures.
- Healthcare providers face additional workload from population turnover and drug/alcohol issues, with oversubscribed clinic space and some weak medicines management.
- There are not enough education, skills or workplaces, leading to low attendance and too many prisoners being released to no fixed abode.
- Prisoner property loss during transfers remains an unacceptable and long-standing issue, exacerbated by increased churn.
- 256 prisoners are sharing cells designated for single occupancy, which the Board views as unsatisfactory or not decent.
- Key worker sessions are severely compromised by high prisoner turnover and staffing pressures, leading to low figures.
- Healthcare providers face additional workload from population turnover and drug/alcohol issues, with oversubscribed clinic space and some weak medicines management.
Northumberland
PRISON
Concerns
HMP Northumberland, a Category C prison, experienced a challenging year due to RAAC issues impacting various areas, including education and reception, and contributing to spikes in self-harm and violence. Despite these challenges, the Board noted significant improvements in accommodation, healthcare provision, and progress in securing housing for prisoners on release. Key concerns remain around the inadequacy of mental health support and the effectiveness of education and vocational training in preparing prisoners for employment.
Key concerns identified
- Inadequate mental health provision and slow access to support for prisoners.
- Destabilising impact of RAAC on prison safety, particularly regarding increased violence and self-harm, and disruption to education and workshops.
- Concerns over the effectiveness of initial assessment and the adequacy of education and training in preparing prisoners for employment upon release.
- Limited capacity in vocational workshops and the modest level of qualifications attainable.
- Long waiting times for optician appointments (16 weeks).
- Destabilising impact of RAAC on prison safety, particularly regarding increased violence and self-harm, and disruption to education and workshops.
- Concerns over the effectiveness of initial assessment and the adequacy of education and training in preparing prisoners for employment upon release.
- Limited capacity in vocational workshops and the modest level of qualifications attainable.
- Long waiting times for optician appointments (16 weeks).
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHF
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 1
Staff assaults: 0
The IMB report for North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHFs highlights varied conditions across the region's facilities, with particular focus on Swinderby RSTHF. While Swinderby benefits from positive staff-detainee relations and improved facilities, significant concerns persist regarding physical safety during building works, inadequate risk identification processes, and non-compliance with safer detention guidelines. Across all STHFs, the Board criticizes the policy on detainee medication, the unsuitability of some holding rooms, and restricted IMB access to essential documentation.
Key concerns identified
- Significant concerns about physical safety and fire risks at Swinderby RSTHF, exacerbated by the decision to keep the centre open during extensive floor works and the associated suspension of critical safety measures and internet access.
- Inadequate reception interview processes at Swinderby RSTHF, which compromise the identification of vulnerable detainees, including those at risk of self-harm, torture, modern slavery, or sexual abuse.
- Systemic failure to implement Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) requirements locally at Swinderby, potentially leading to under-identification of individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm.
- The inhumane and dangerous Home Office policy preventing detainees from accessing their prescribed medication across STHFs.
- Persistent unsuitability of certain holding rooms (e.g., Leeds Bradford Airport, Port of Hull) for immigration detention, leading to concerns about extended detentions and the lack of hot food provision.
- Restrictions on the IMB's access to full port case files, preventing adequate discharge of monitoring duties and compromising oversight of detainee welfare.
- Inadequate reception interview processes at Swinderby RSTHF, which compromise the identification of vulnerable detainees, including those at risk of self-harm, torture, modern slavery, or sexual abuse.
- Systemic failure to implement Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) requirements locally at Swinderby, potentially leading to under-identification of individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm.
- The inhumane and dangerous Home Office policy preventing detainees from accessing their prescribed medication across STHFs.
- Persistent unsuitability of certain holding rooms (e.g., Leeds Bradford Airport, Port of Hull) for immigration detention, leading to concerns about extended detentions and the lack of hot food provision.
- Restrictions on the IMB's access to full port case files, preventing adequate discharge of monitoring duties and compromising oversight of detainee welfare.
Humber
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 725
Assaults: 129
Staff assaults: 79
HMP Humber, a Category C resettlement prison, experienced significant prisoner 'churn' in 2023. While safety remains generally good and offender management is a strength, the Board raised serious concerns about overcrowding, with 30% of prisoners sharing single cells. Delays in mental health transfers and insufficient purposeful activity also posed challenges. The IMB noted issues with property loss and the need to improve the key worker scheme, despite positive work in reception and reducing OASys backlogs.
Key concerns identified
- Overcrowding: 30% of prisoners share cells designed for single use, an increase from the previous year, causing cramped conditions and lack of privacy.
- Prisoner 'churn': The high turnover of short-stay prisoners due to the resettlement designation negatively impacts meaningful education, employment, and resettlement planning.
- Mental Health Transfers: Significant delays in transferring prisoners with serious mental health issues or those sectioned under the Mental Health Act to secure hospitals.
- Purposeful Activity: Insufficient education, skills, and work places, contributing to high unemployment and low attendance, with tasks often lacking challenge.
- Property Issues: Persistent problems with prisoner property loss and complaints, especially during transfers, which has worsened despite proactive approaches.
- Key Worker Scheme: The need to improve the quality and effectiveness of the key worker scheme, which is vital for a safe and effective establishment.
- Prisoner 'churn': The high turnover of short-stay prisoners due to the resettlement designation negatively impacts meaningful education, employment, and resettlement planning.
- Mental Health Transfers: Significant delays in transferring prisoners with serious mental health issues or those sectioned under the Mental Health Act to secure hospitals.
- Purposeful Activity: Insufficient education, skills, and work places, contributing to high unemployment and low attendance, with tasks often lacking challenge.
- Property Issues: Persistent problems with prisoner property loss and complaints, especially during transfers, which has worsened despite proactive approaches.
- Key Worker Scheme: The need to improve the quality and effectiveness of the key worker scheme, which is vital for a safe and effective establishment.
Northumberland
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 463
Assaults: 189
HMP Northumberland, a category C prison, is generally assessed as safe, despite a slight increase in violent incidents and self-harm. Significant progress has been made in primary healthcare provision, staff-prisoner relationships, and a revised regime aims to boost purposeful activity. However, the Board holds severe and repeated concerns regarding the profound lack of appropriate mental health provision, leading to the inappropriate use of segregation for acutely unwell prisoners, alongside challenges with education attendance and property management.
Key concerns identified
- The persistent lack of mental health provision for prisoners, including delays in appropriate placements, is a repeated concern.
- The inappropriate use of the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) to house severe mental health cases, with some remaining beyond 42 days, significantly impacts their well-being and staff.
- Recruitment challenges within the mental health team and for key healthcare positions persist.
- Education suffers from very low attendance rates (often 50%) and early session closures, leading to substantial lost learning time.
- There are limited opportunities for engagement in arts (drama, music) within the curriculum.
- Issues with prisoner property going missing during cell clearances or transfers remain a problem.
- The single Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) struggles with an overwhelming caseload for the growing prison population.
- The inappropriate use of the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) to house severe mental health cases, with some remaining beyond 42 days, significantly impacts their well-being and staff.
- Recruitment challenges within the mental health team and for key healthcare positions persist.
- Education suffers from very low attendance rates (often 50%) and early session closures, leading to substantial lost learning time.
- There are limited opportunities for engagement in arts (drama, music) within the curriculum.
- Issues with prisoner property going missing during cell clearances or transfers remain a problem.
- The single Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) struggles with an overwhelming caseload for the growing prison population.
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHF
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 0
Assaults: 0
Staff assaults: 0
This is the first annual report for the North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside IMB, covering Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) from February 2022 to January 2023. While staff conduct and detainee treatment generally received positive feedback, significant concerns arose regarding the unsafe opening and managing large intakes at Swinderby Residential STHF. The Board also highlighted the critical and unresolved issue of Home Office policy preventing detainees in all STHFs from taking prescribed medication, deeming it inhumane and dangerous.
Key concerns identified
- The unsafe opening of Swinderby RSTHF, including alarm system and healthcare provision issues.
- The Home Office policy preventing detainees from taking prescribed medication for pre-existing conditions, which is viewed as inhumane, dangerous, and a repeated concern.
- The unsafe arrival process of a large intake of detainees at Swinderby, exacerbated by vehicle size and missing documentation.
- The lack of privacy and confidentiality in reception interviews at Swinderby RSTHF, potentially hindering vulnerability identification.
- Overreliance on police stations for overnight immigration detention due to transport difficulties and lack of suitable residential STHF transfers.
- Inadequate capacity for shared facilities (dining, IT, games, translation phones) at Swinderby RSTHF when operating at fuller capacity.
- The Home Office policy preventing detainees from taking prescribed medication for pre-existing conditions, which is viewed as inhumane, dangerous, and a repeated concern.
- The unsafe arrival process of a large intake of detainees at Swinderby, exacerbated by vehicle size and missing documentation.
- The lack of privacy and confidentiality in reception interviews at Swinderby RSTHF, potentially hindering vulnerability identification.
- Overreliance on police stations for overnight immigration detention due to transport difficulties and lack of suitable residential STHF transfers.
- Inadequate capacity for shared facilities (dining, IT, games, translation phones) at Swinderby RSTHF when operating at fuller capacity.
Northumberland
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 314
Assaults: 151
HMP Northumberland generally provides a safe and humane environment, with improvements in regime and education post-Covid, and promising employment initiatives like The Recruitment Junction. However, significant challenges persist concerning mental health support and transfers, unreliable healthcare provision, and poor resettlement outcomes, especially regarding post-release employment and housing. These issues, particularly mental health and homelessness, remain areas of repeated concern for the Board.
Key concerns identified
- The availability of mental health support for prisoners and delays in identifying appropriate placements for those with serious mental health conditions remain a concern, highlighted as a repeated issue.
- A lack of improvement in ensuring housing for men released into homeless situations, which was also a concern in the previous year.
- The need for more privacy during general interviews at reception to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Too many ACCTs are closed without adequate exploration of the causes of self-harm, and the use of 'listeners' could be improved.
- Perceived easy availability of drugs within the prison, as reported in a prisoner survey.
- Unreliable healthcare provision due to staffing and leadership difficulties throughout 2022.
- Poor rehabilitation and release planning, evidenced by only 12% of prisoners being in employment six weeks after release, against a target of 20%.
- A lack of improvement in ensuring housing for men released into homeless situations, which was also a concern in the previous year.
- The need for more privacy during general interviews at reception to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Too many ACCTs are closed without adequate exploration of the causes of self-harm, and the use of 'listeners' could be improved.
- Perceived easy availability of drugs within the prison, as reported in a prisoner survey.
- Unreliable healthcare provision due to staffing and leadership difficulties throughout 2022.
- Poor rehabilitation and release planning, evidenced by only 12% of prisoners being in employment six weeks after release, against a target of 20%.
Humber
PRISON
Northumberland
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 312
Assaults: 120
HMP Northumberland, a Category C prison, successfully managed the Covid-19 pandemic during 2021, maintaining a safe and humane environment with commendable staff dedication. While the regime was restricted, efforts were made to provide in-cell activities and gradually reopen purposeful activity. Key concerns remain around the lasting impact on prisoner mental health, insufficient opportunities for rehabilitation, and the unacceptable issue of prisoners being released into homelessness.
Key concerns identified
- Limited opportunities for learning, employment and training to mitigate the disadvantages of lockdowns and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on preparation for release.
- Uncertainty about the full effect of the pandemic on prisoner mental health, requiring assurance of a fully funded infrastructure for mental health support.
- Men are released into homeless situations due to inadequate housing stock and inter-agency communication issues.
- Continuing shortage of places on specialist units in the area for those with significant mental health needs.
- Uncertainty about the full effect of the pandemic on prisoner mental health, requiring assurance of a fully funded infrastructure for mental health support.
- Men are released into homeless situations due to inadequate housing stock and inter-agency communication issues.
- Continuing shortage of places on specialist units in the area for those with significant mental health needs.
Humber
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 344
Assaults: 104
Staff assaults: 37
HMP Humber navigated 2021 under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with commendations for management and staff for maintaining stability and low violence. However, the Board expresses grave concerns about the long-term mental health impact of extended lock-up, critical staffing shortages, and issues with healthcare access. Resettlement efforts were hampered by probation service changes, and property loss remained an unresolved, recurring problem.
Key concerns identified
- Grave concerns about the potential for long-term damage to prisoners from continued restrictions.
- The Prison Service is losing operational staff faster than it can recruit due to uncompetitive pay and conditions.
- The loss of probation services within the prison is a grave concern for resettlement outcomes.
- Disappointment that there has been little practical response to previous report comments.
- Rigid adherence to national stages of recovery, rather than allowing HMP Humber greater autonomy.
- Proposal to increase shared cells is considered indecent.
- Continuing unacceptable levels of prisoner property loss, a repeated concern.
- Lack of available accommodation in Category D establishments causes a backlog of eligible prisoners (38 awaiting transfer).
- Key worker effectiveness compromised by Covid-19 restrictions and staff shortages.
- Need for robust assurance checks on the quality of responses to prisoner complaints.
- The Prison Service is losing operational staff faster than it can recruit due to uncompetitive pay and conditions.
- The loss of probation services within the prison is a grave concern for resettlement outcomes.
- Disappointment that there has been little practical response to previous report comments.
- Rigid adherence to national stages of recovery, rather than allowing HMP Humber greater autonomy.
- Proposal to increase shared cells is considered indecent.
- Continuing unacceptable levels of prisoner property loss, a repeated concern.
- Lack of available accommodation in Category D establishments causes a backlog of eligible prisoners (38 awaiting transfer).
- Key worker effectiveness compromised by Covid-19 restrictions and staff shortages.
- Need for robust assurance checks on the quality of responses to prisoner complaints.
Northumberland
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 423
Assaults: 152
HMP Northumberland demonstrated exemplary management of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no related deaths among prisoners and commended staff and prisoner responses. The report highlights a sustained decline in violence and self-harm, alongside good staff-prisoner relationships and effective ACCT management. Key concerns include the continued lack of specialist mental health places, significantly restricted regimes impacting education and resettlement, and escalating dental waiting times.
Key concerns identified
- The persistent lack of sufficient places in specialised mental health facilities in the North East, leading to prolonged segregation for some prisoners.
- The significant reduction in opportunities for men to re-engage with learning, employment, and training due to pandemic restrictions, hindering preparation for release.
- The need to return to enhanced regimes and recommence social visits at the earliest opportunity, while acknowledging necessary protective measures during the pandemic.
- The continued availability of drugs inside the prison, despite sustained efforts by staff to disrupt supply.
- Long and increasing waiting times for dental appointments, reaching up to 249 working days by year-end.
- The lack of 24-hour residential care on site, resulting in 41 prisoners being bed-watch patients in outside hospitals.
- The significant reduction in opportunities for men to re-engage with learning, employment, and training due to pandemic restrictions, hindering preparation for release.
- The need to return to enhanced regimes and recommence social visits at the earliest opportunity, while acknowledging necessary protective measures during the pandemic.
- The continued availability of drugs inside the prison, despite sustained efforts by staff to disrupt supply.
- Long and increasing waiting times for dental appointments, reaching up to 249 working days by year-end.
- The lack of 24-hour residential care on site, resulting in 41 prisoners being bed-watch patients in outside hospitals.
Humber
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 544
Assaults: 108
Staff assaults: 46
HMP Humber faced significant challenges in 2020, operating under severe COVID-19 restrictions for nine months. The Governor and staff were highly commended for their professionalism in maintaining safety and minimizing virus spread. However, the Board expressed grave concerns about the long-term impact of extended lock-up on prisoner mental health, progression, and purposeful activity, while persistent issues like property loss and PALS response delays remained problematic.
Key concerns identified
- The potential for long-term damage to prisoners' mental health and wellbeing due to the extended restricted regime and prolonged lock-up periods.
- The persistent issue of loss and mismanagement of prisoners’ property, which continues to be the biggest cause of complaints and was raised in the previous year's report.
- The slow pace of recovery and lack of autonomy for the prison in lifting COVID-19 restrictions, attributed to national guidance from HMPPS.
- Concerns regarding the internal complaints process, with many applications to the IMB stemming from unresolved complaints and concerns about staff behaviour not being taken seriously.
- Significant delays in responding to Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) submissions (50% not within 10 days), indicating systemic issues that predated the pandemic.
- The persistent issue of loss and mismanagement of prisoners’ property, which continues to be the biggest cause of complaints and was raised in the previous year's report.
- The slow pace of recovery and lack of autonomy for the prison in lifting COVID-19 restrictions, attributed to national guidance from HMPPS.
- Concerns regarding the internal complaints process, with many applications to the IMB stemming from unresolved complaints and concerns about staff behaviour not being taken seriously.
- Significant delays in responding to Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) submissions (50% not within 10 days), indicating systemic issues that predated the pandemic.