IMB Annual Reports

- 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.

- Increased self-harm and violence, linked to unsuitable transfers, drug debt, and new gang activity.
- Deteriorating prison buildings, with many wings barely meeting acceptable accommodation standards.
- Critical shortage of probation officers significantly impacting prisoner progression, offender management, and the success of early release schemes.
- Persistent issues with property loss during transfers and CSU moves, alongside ineffective volumetric property control.
- Delays to activities and missed healthcare appointments due to the dysfunctional escort system and absence of controlled freeflow.
- The ongoing challenge of insufficient suitable bail accommodation and too many prisoners being released without housing.

- Lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners on release or HDC, particularly in the South East.
- Ongoing poor condition of accommodation, with dilapidated Edwardian buildings and failing infrastructure in newer blocks.
- Persistent problem of property losses during transfers between establishments, and a general lack of care for prisoner property.
- Haphazard cell clearance checks, especially when prisoners are moved to the Segregation Unit.
- Significant increase in complaints and applications to the IMB, particularly related to property issues.
- Ongoing vermin problem at the prison.
- Persistent availability of illicit drugs, especially NPS, which contributes to debt, bullying, intimidation, and violence.
- Erratic attendance of healthcare representatives at Good Order and Discipline (GOOD) reviews.
- Repeated exceeding of the 42-day segregation time limit when a prisoner's status is changed to Category B.
- GP waiting times of 17 days and occasional late arrivals by GPs.
- Shortage of Category D (open conditions) places in the South East, causing frustration for prisoners awaiting transfer.
- General continuing shortage of experienced prison officers and high levels of sickness/absence, impacting regime delivery.
- Shortage of trainers for vocational training courses like Welding, Plastering, and Carpentry.
- Low education attendance rates (around 70%) not recovering to pre-Covid levels.
- A significant number of prisoners being released without accommodation, leading to homelessness and vulnerability.

- The lack of suitable accommodation in the South East for prisoners completing sentences or released on HDC hinders re-offending reduction.
- The IMB is severely understaffed, having reduced to six active members from 14, making it challenging to discharge statutory duties.
- Prison accommodation is very poor, with dilapidated Edwardian buildings and aging pre-fabricated units experiencing ventilation, water supply, and heating issues.
- Persistent problems with property loss and delays occur during prisoner transfers and within the prison.
- Too many Category D prisoners remain at Rochester awaiting transfer to open conditions, which is perceived as unfair.
- Cell clearance checks are often haphazard, particularly when prisoners are moved to the Segregation Unit, leading to property loss.
- The property office is frequently unmanned and staffed by personnel who lack proper training in its systems.

- Increased funding and resources are needed across the prison estate to tackle drug use, including improved security technology and intervention programmes.
- Too many prisoners are released from Rochester to become homeless rough sleepers, as suitable accommodation is lacking and the initiative for prisons to refer those at risk to local authorities is not working.
- There has been no progress in resolving persistent problems with property losses when prisoners are transferred between establishments, causing needless frustration.
- Too many Category D prisoners remain in Rochester awaiting transfer to open conditions, which is unfair given their achievement of Category D status.
- Cell clearance checks remain haphazard, particularly when prisoners are moved to the Segregation Unit from double cells, leading to loss of personal property.

- Increased funding for resources across the prison estate to tackle drug use, including security technology and intervention programmes.
- Lack of suitable accommodation for all prisoners on release, leading to homelessness.
- Persistent problems with property losses during prisoner transfers between establishments.
- Unacceptable delays in transferring re-categorised Category B prisoners from the Segregation Unit due to uncooperative receiving prisons.
- Overcrowding of Category D prisoners at Rochester awaiting transfer to appropriate Category D establishments.
- Haphazard cell clearance checks, leading to prisoner property loss, especially during moves to the Segregation Unit.
- Disruptive and stressful roll count arrangements, particularly before lockdown, which need addressing as restrictions relax.