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.
Foston Hall
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 2,014
Staff assaults: 1,022
HMP/YOI Foston Hall is a women’s prison and young offender institution. Its capacity is 3241. The Board has noted a rise in self-harm incidents, violence, and use of force.
Key concerns identified
bullet The continuing rise in prisoners who are on short-fixed term recalls, and subject to short sentences has a significant limiting impact on rehabilitation and resettlement.
- bullet It is still the case that prisoners with complex and severe mental health needs are frequently received, or remain too long, at HMP Foston Hall, rather than being accommodated and cared for in hospital or in the community in line with the ambitions of the female offender strategy.
- bullet There is still no evidence that the decision to identify pregnancy as a specific mitigating factor in sentencing decisions has had any impact on the number of pregnant prisoners passing through Foston Hall, including prisoners on short-term recall.
- bullet There are increasing problems with the quality and decency of accommodation, including the longstanding inadequacy of the CSU and D wing and the ongoing health and safety and decency issues on F wing caused by water damage from leaking showers.
- bullet There continues to be a lack of adequate mental health provision for prisoners experiencing less severe but still impactful conditions, including anxiety and depression.
- bullet There are limitations to the operation of the Incentives Policy Framework and prisoners who do not receive visits or have anyone to send them money feel there is no gain in being in the enhanced level.
- bullet It is still the case that prisoners with complex and severe mental health needs are frequently received, or remain too long, at HMP Foston Hall, rather than being accommodated and cared for in hospital or in the community in line with the ambitions of the female offender strategy.
- bullet There is still no evidence that the decision to identify pregnancy as a specific mitigating factor in sentencing decisions has had any impact on the number of pregnant prisoners passing through Foston Hall, including prisoners on short-term recall.
- bullet There are increasing problems with the quality and decency of accommodation, including the longstanding inadequacy of the CSU and D wing and the ongoing health and safety and decency issues on F wing caused by water damage from leaking showers.
- bullet There continues to be a lack of adequate mental health provision for prisoners experiencing less severe but still impactful conditions, including anxiety and depression.
- bullet There are limitations to the operation of the Incentives Policy Framework and prisoners who do not receive visits or have anyone to send them money feel there is no gain in being in the enhanced level.
Brixton
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 277
Assaults: 277
Staff assaults: 83
HMP Brixton operated as an overcrowded Category C resettlement prison during the reporting year, with a population of 697 against a CNA of 530. The year was marked by preparations for a delayed re-role to Category B, which disrupted rehabilitation efforts. Positive developments included a reduction in self-harm, improved induction processes, and good staff-prisoner relations, alongside high-quality food provision. However, significant concerns persisted regarding drug availability, property loss, unlawful detentions, and the impact of the re-role on resettlement and purposeful activity.
Key concerns identified
- The ready availability of drugs had increasing impact through the year, resulting in men found under the influence, emergency call-outs, and a strain on healthcare and uniformed staff.
- The delayed re-role of Brixton from a Category C resettlement prison to a Category B reception prison impeded work to reduce reoffending within the nine pathways, particularly mental health, substance misuse, education, and vocational training.
- The decision to send men with as little as 28 days left to serve impeded or negated a range of resettlement actions.
- Persistent issues with property being mislaid during transfer to Brixton, coupled with unacceptable delays in recovery or compensation, continued to cause distress to prisoners and waste staff resources.
- A total of 11 men were unlawfully detained (held after their release date), with HMPPS not defaulting to compensation payment, which the Board considered unjust.
- The prison's accommodation remained manifestly overcrowded, with cells as small as 6.4m2 often shared, and toilets located uncomfortably close to sleeping areas.
- Shortages of space for single cells, interview rooms, and appropriately located classrooms continued to affect education and treatment programmes.
- The delayed re-role of Brixton from a Category C resettlement prison to a Category B reception prison impeded work to reduce reoffending within the nine pathways, particularly mental health, substance misuse, education, and vocational training.
- The decision to send men with as little as 28 days left to serve impeded or negated a range of resettlement actions.
- Persistent issues with property being mislaid during transfer to Brixton, coupled with unacceptable delays in recovery or compensation, continued to cause distress to prisoners and waste staff resources.
- A total of 11 men were unlawfully detained (held after their release date), with HMPPS not defaulting to compensation payment, which the Board considered unjust.
- The prison's accommodation remained manifestly overcrowded, with cells as small as 6.4m2 often shared, and toilets located uncomfortably close to sleeping areas.
- Shortages of space for single cells, interview rooms, and appropriately located classrooms continued to affect education and treatment programmes.
Stocken
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 718
Assaults: 68
Staff assaults: 71
HMP Stocken, a Category C training prison, maintained a generally safe environment for prisoners and staff during the reporting year, despite an increased population. The Board highlights persistent concerns including delays in mental health transfers, the loss of prisoner property due to inconsistent volumetric controls, and an insufficient number of cells for disabled prisoners. Positive developments include improved ACCT interactions, increased staff diversity, and effective key working, though staffing challenges and drone activity impacting regime remain.
Key concerns identified
- Prisoners’ excess personal property continues to be lost or mislaid due to 'sending prisons' not enforcing volumetric property controls.
- It takes too long to transfer prisoners with mental health problems to secure mental health facilities, often resulting in prolonged stays in the CSU.
- An increasing number of prisoners held out of area, coupled with the prison's rural location, makes maintaining family ties difficult.
- A lack of 'enhanced' gate security equipment at HMP Stocken remains a concern, despite being one of the larger public-run prisons.
- There is an insufficient number of cells suitable for prisoners with disability or mobility issues, especially given the ageing prison population, with new wings lacking such provision.
- Certain prisoners held in the CSU on suspicion of illicit activities are not sufficiently briefed by the security department about the reasons for their investigation.
- Some members of the Senior Management Team appear not fully committed to the aims of the equality and diversity department.
- Recruiting and maintaining prisoner representatives is difficult due to constant prisoner movements.
- The healthcare unit experienced high staff turnover leading to long delays in responding to prisoner applications/complaints.
- Issues have been reported with the newly opened pharmacy, particularly concerning reliance on agency staff.
- The oldest wings of the prison are showing signs of age, requiring repairs and refurbishment.
- Time out of cells in the late afternoon/evening has been restricted due to increased drone activity, impacting the regime.
- It takes too long to transfer prisoners with mental health problems to secure mental health facilities, often resulting in prolonged stays in the CSU.
- An increasing number of prisoners held out of area, coupled with the prison's rural location, makes maintaining family ties difficult.
- A lack of 'enhanced' gate security equipment at HMP Stocken remains a concern, despite being one of the larger public-run prisons.
- There is an insufficient number of cells suitable for prisoners with disability or mobility issues, especially given the ageing prison population, with new wings lacking such provision.
- Certain prisoners held in the CSU on suspicion of illicit activities are not sufficiently briefed by the security department about the reasons for their investigation.
- Some members of the Senior Management Team appear not fully committed to the aims of the equality and diversity department.
- Recruiting and maintaining prisoner representatives is difficult due to constant prisoner movements.
- The healthcare unit experienced high staff turnover leading to long delays in responding to prisoner applications/complaints.
- Issues have been reported with the newly opened pharmacy, particularly concerning reliance on agency staff.
- The oldest wings of the prison are showing signs of age, requiring repairs and refurbishment.
- Time out of cells in the late afternoon/evening has been restricted due to increased drone activity, impacting the regime.
Send
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 590
Assaults: 45
Staff assaults: 14
HMP Send, a closed prison for adult women, managed a population of 245 prisoners against an operational capacity of 255. The Board commended staff efforts in ensuring safety and positive relationships, noting improvements in complaint handling. However, the report highlighted significant increases in self-harm, assaults, and use of force incidents, along with persistent concerns regarding the adequacy of mental health provision for complex needs prisoners, the lack of digital technology access, and issues with inter-prison transfers.
Key concerns identified
- The needs of complex individuals with multiple mental health issues are not adequately met in prison, and such prisoners take up a disproportionate amount of staff time.
- Continued detention and repeated recalls of IPP prisoners for relatively small breaches of licence conditions are considered unfair and inhumane.
- There are concerning safety trends, including a significant increase in self-harm incidents, assaults (particularly prisoner-on-prisoner), ACCTs opened, and use of force incidents.
- Drugs are reported to be available on one particular wing, posing a safety concern.
- Problems persist with poor communication between prisons regarding health information and missing property during transfers, causing delays in medication and other issues.
- The Board is concerned by the routine practice of using escort chains during intimate medical examinations or confidential consultations outside the prison, and by the number of prisoners declining breast screening.
- Prisoners lack adequate access to digital technology, hindering their preparation for life in a digital society, and perceived the Incentives Policy as unfair.
- Continued detention and repeated recalls of IPP prisoners for relatively small breaches of licence conditions are considered unfair and inhumane.
- There are concerning safety trends, including a significant increase in self-harm incidents, assaults (particularly prisoner-on-prisoner), ACCTs opened, and use of force incidents.
- Drugs are reported to be available on one particular wing, posing a safety concern.
- Problems persist with poor communication between prisons regarding health information and missing property during transfers, causing delays in medication and other issues.
- The Board is concerned by the routine practice of using escort chains during intimate medical examinations or confidential consultations outside the prison, and by the number of prisoners declining breast screening.
- Prisoners lack adequate access to digital technology, hindering their preparation for life in a digital society, and perceived the Incentives Policy as unfair.
Send
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 479
Assaults: 11
Staff assaults: 9
HMP Send is a closed prison for adult women and transgender prisoners, reporting a population of 247 at the end of March 2024, with an operational capacity of 255. The Board generally found staff efforts commendable in ensuring safety, noting reductions in self-harm and assaults compared to the previous year. Key concerns highlighted include the persistent lack of in-cell technology, staffing shortages affecting offender management and mental health services, and the continued detention of IPP prisoners.
Key concerns identified
- The needs of complex individuals with multiple mental health issues are not served well in prison, and such prisoners should be accommodated in secure mental health units.
- The continued detention of IPP prisoners is unfair and inhumane.
- The practice of potentially using an escort chain or handcuff of a prisoner to an officer during a breast screening is a concern.
- There is a persistent absence of in-cell technology, with no progress or future plans, failing to prepare prisoners for a digital society.
- Persistent low local pay levels for prisoners, inconsistent across the female estate, erode spending power.
- Shortages of offender managers at Send and in the community damage prisoners' ability to reintegrate into society.
- Inconsistent approach to induction paperwork and frequent changes to discrimination incident report form (DIRF) handling limit effective monitoring.
- Delays in refunds from DHL and the long-term absence of a library computer are impacting prisoners.
- The initiative to tackle obesity needs consistent follow-through, and more prisoners should be engaged in education.
- The continued detention of IPP prisoners is unfair and inhumane.
- The practice of potentially using an escort chain or handcuff of a prisoner to an officer during a breast screening is a concern.
- There is a persistent absence of in-cell technology, with no progress or future plans, failing to prepare prisoners for a digital society.
- Persistent low local pay levels for prisoners, inconsistent across the female estate, erode spending power.
- Shortages of offender managers at Send and in the community damage prisoners' ability to reintegrate into society.
- Inconsistent approach to induction paperwork and frequent changes to discrimination incident report form (DIRF) handling limit effective monitoring.
- Delays in refunds from DHL and the long-term absence of a library computer are impacting prisoners.
- The initiative to tackle obesity needs consistent follow-through, and more prisoners should be engaged in education.
Send
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 867
Assaults: 19
Staff assaults: 13
HMP Send is a closed women's prison that made significant efforts to ensure prisoner safety and humane treatment during a challenging year. While the Board noted positive staff-prisoner relationships, persistent staff shortages, particularly in OMU and probation, negatively impacted services and progression. Key concerns include high self-harm rates, the lack of digital in-cell technology, the unjust detention of IPP prisoners, and property issues during transfers.
Key concerns identified
- Self-harm incidents remain worryingly high, particularly from a small number of prolific individuals, highlighting that prison is not an appropriate place for those with severe mental health issues.
- The continued lack of digital in-cell technology is unacceptable, hindering prisoners' preparation for life in a digital society.
- The continued detention of two IPP prisoners well beyond their tariff is considered unjust and inhumane.
- Persistent staff shortages across the Offender Management Unit (OMU) and for probation officers severely impact prisoners' progression and resettlement prospects.
- Significant delays and losses of prisoner property during transfers between establishments continue to be a concern, with a lack of consistent process.
- Shortcomings exist in the management of discrimination incident report forms (DIRFs), compounded by the absence of independent scrutiny.
- The continued lack of digital in-cell technology is unacceptable, hindering prisoners' preparation for life in a digital society.
- The continued detention of two IPP prisoners well beyond their tariff is considered unjust and inhumane.
- Persistent staff shortages across the Offender Management Unit (OMU) and for probation officers severely impact prisoners' progression and resettlement prospects.
- Significant delays and losses of prisoner property during transfers between establishments continue to be a concern, with a lack of consistent process.
- Shortcomings exist in the management of discrimination incident report forms (DIRFs), compounded by the absence of independent scrutiny.
New Hall
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 965
Assaults: 48
Staff assaults: 90
HMP New Hall operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with staff commended for their professionalism in maintaining safety. While safety metrics showed a notable increase in self-harm and use of force incidents, many were attributed to a small number of individuals and Covid-related confinement. Key areas for development include estate maintenance on Rivendell Unit and improving the quality of CSIP investigations, alongside addressing consistent prisoner complaints regarding healthcare and property.
Key concerns identified
- Rivendell Unit requires major work on windows and heating, impacting conditions for prisoners.
- Weaknesses persist in the quality of investigations and plans within the Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) process, despite a reduction in violence.
- Property issues, particularly losses in transit and a lack of staff understanding, continue to generate significant complaints.
- Healthcare complaints consistently account for one-third of all applications to the IMB, indicating ongoing concerns despite high satisfaction rates.
- The practice of sending women from court to New Hall as a "place of safety" and subsequent escalations to NHSE raises concerns about appropriate placements.
- The incentives scheme needs re-energising, as there is currently little incentive for prisoners to achieve enhanced status.
- Weaknesses persist in the quality of investigations and plans within the Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP) process, despite a reduction in violence.
- Property issues, particularly losses in transit and a lack of staff understanding, continue to generate significant complaints.
- Healthcare complaints consistently account for one-third of all applications to the IMB, indicating ongoing concerns despite high satisfaction rates.
- The practice of sending women from court to New Hall as a "place of safety" and subsequent escalations to NHSE raises concerns about appropriate placements.
- The incentives scheme needs re-energising, as there is currently little incentive for prisoners to achieve enhanced status.
Send
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 837
Assaults: 9
Staff assaults: 19
HMP Send is a closed prison for adult women with an operational capacity of 191, holding 182 prisoners at the end of the reporting year, including 63 ISPs. The Board considers Send a safe prison but highlights a significant increase in self-harm incidents (837) and one death in custody. Key concerns include the need for specialist mental health provision for prolific self-harmers, slow progress on digital in-cell technology, and persistent staffing shortages.
Key concerns identified
- The government plan for 500 new prison places for women contradicts the female offender strategy.
- Provision should be made in appropriate secure specialist mental health facilities for very challenging women with complex mental health needs and prolific self-harm.
- The unjust detention of one IPP prisoner, 11 years past her original short tariff date.
- Lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation.
- HMPPS to speed up the plans to roll out digital in-cell technology.
- Provision of training to address specific needs of female prisoners (trauma-informed care, de-escalation, distraction).
- Provision should be made in appropriate secure specialist mental health facilities for very challenging women with complex mental health needs and prolific self-harm.
- The unjust detention of one IPP prisoner, 11 years past her original short tariff date.
- Lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation.
- HMPPS to speed up the plans to roll out digital in-cell technology.
- Provision of training to address specific needs of female prisoners (trauma-informed care, de-escalation, distraction).
Thorn Cross
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 1
Assaults: 1
Staff assaults: 3
HMP/YOI Thorn Cross experienced a challenging year due to the pandemic and staffing issues but maintained a safe and humane environment. The Board found the prison's rehabilitative culture and healthcare provision to be strong, with positive staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include budget pressures, delays in high-risk transfers, persistent property issues, and the need to improve data collection on protected characteristics and reduce absconds.
Key concerns identified
- Ensuring the prison budget keeps pace with inflationary pressures.
- Undue delays caused by ministerial oversight of high-risk prisoner transfers.
- Continuing issues with missing property during transfers.
- Lack of decent fire-retardant seating for prisoners' rooms.
- Sending prisons failing to complete prisoner records fully.
- The need to reduce the increasing number of absconds.
- Insufficient analysis of prison activity data by protected characteristics.
- Mandatory drug testing remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
- Undue delays caused by ministerial oversight of high-risk prisoner transfers.
- Continuing issues with missing property during transfers.
- Lack of decent fire-retardant seating for prisoners' rooms.
- Sending prisons failing to complete prisoner records fully.
- The need to reduce the increasing number of absconds.
- Insufficient analysis of prison activity data by protected characteristics.
- Mandatory drug testing remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
Brixton
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 209
Assaults: 130
Staff assaults: 66
The reporting year at HMP Brixton was dominated by COVID-19, leading to severe restrictions on the prison regime, impacting prisoners' mental health and resettlement opportunities. Despite significant efforts by staff and healthcare to maintain services and well-being, concerns persisted regarding the suitability of the offender flow system, inadequate accommodation for older prisoners, and a lack of D-category prison places. While self-harm incidents slightly decreased, assaults on staff increased, and substance misuse remained a challenge, with the Board commending positive aspects like food quality, staff commitment, and progress in education.
Key concerns identified
- The inadequate number of places in category D prisons, exacerbated by remedial works, removes incentives for good behaviour and increases re-offending risk.
- A significant proportion of men (29%) are released without accommodation, a concern repeated from previous years, increasing re-offending rates.
- The new offender flow process sends men to Brixton who do not meet its resettlement profile, setting both prisoners and the prison up for failure.
- Brixton's infrastructure is not suited for its elderly and infirm population, particularly those with mobility impairments, requiring better living conditions.
- Prisoner pay varies inconsistently across the estate, impacting men's ability to afford canteen items and phone calls.
- There was a significant increase in the proportion and seriousness of assaults on staff, with one severe case of prisoner-on-prisoner ill-treatment going undetected for months.
- The prison's accommodation remains small, cramped, and unsatisfactory, a consistent concern, and there was a rat problem for several months.
- Psychoactive substances were found to be readily available and the primary drug of choice, with uneven supervision of tradable medication dispensing.
- A significant proportion of men (29%) are released without accommodation, a concern repeated from previous years, increasing re-offending rates.
- The new offender flow process sends men to Brixton who do not meet its resettlement profile, setting both prisoners and the prison up for failure.
- Brixton's infrastructure is not suited for its elderly and infirm population, particularly those with mobility impairments, requiring better living conditions.
- Prisoner pay varies inconsistently across the estate, impacting men's ability to afford canteen items and phone calls.
- There was a significant increase in the proportion and seriousness of assaults on staff, with one severe case of prisoner-on-prisoner ill-treatment going undetected for months.
- The prison's accommodation remains small, cramped, and unsatisfactory, a consistent concern, and there was a rat problem for several months.
- Psychoactive substances were found to be readily available and the primary drug of choice, with uneven supervision of tradable medication dispensing.
Send
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 510
Assaults: 15
Staff assaults: 10
HMP Send operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions during the reporting year, significantly impacting the regime, education, and prisoner wellbeing, with women often confined for up to 23 hours daily. Despite these challenges, staff were commended for their professionalism and efforts to maintain safety and humane treatment, including the introduction of in-cell phones and improved canteen services. Key concerns highlighted by the Board include rising self-harm incidents, continued drug entry, the inhumane detention of IPP prisoners, and the detrimental long-term effects of restricted education and resettlement opportunities.
Key concerns identified
- The major risk to prisoner safety at Send is self-harm, levels of which climbed as the year progressed, decreasing only 6% while the population decreased 40%.
- Drugs continued to enter the prison throughout the reporting year despite restrictions, negatively impacting safety.
- The national restrictions imposed by HMPPS resulted in inhumane living conditions, including long periods of cell confinement, and a lack of early vaccination access for prisoners and staff.
- The unjust and inhumane detention of two IPP prisoners, held many years beyond their original tariff dates, remains a significant concern.
- Education was severely curtailed, with classroom teaching suspended and in-cell learning packs insufficient, compounded by a lack of digital infrastructure and a perceived low priority for learning within HMPPS.
- There is a lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation and concerns about gaps in care for vulnerable foreign national prisoners upon release.
- Inconsistent outcomes in Discrimination Incident Report Forms (DIRFs) for racist behaviour indicate staff difficulties in establishing proof, further hampered by outdated equality monitoring data.
- Other concerns include long delays in property exchange and mail, inadequate cell ventilation, and problems with the Purple Visits service and social worker-supervised family visits.
- Drugs continued to enter the prison throughout the reporting year despite restrictions, negatively impacting safety.
- The national restrictions imposed by HMPPS resulted in inhumane living conditions, including long periods of cell confinement, and a lack of early vaccination access for prisoners and staff.
- The unjust and inhumane detention of two IPP prisoners, held many years beyond their original tariff dates, remains a significant concern.
- Education was severely curtailed, with classroom teaching suspended and in-cell learning packs insufficient, compounded by a lack of digital infrastructure and a perceived low priority for learning within HMPPS.
- There is a lack of appropriate resettlement accommodation and concerns about gaps in care for vulnerable foreign national prisoners upon release.
- Inconsistent outcomes in Discrimination Incident Report Forms (DIRFs) for racist behaviour indicate staff difficulties in establishing proof, further hampered by outdated equality monitoring data.
- Other concerns include long delays in property exchange and mail, inadequate cell ventilation, and problems with the Purple Visits service and social worker-supervised family visits.
Oakwood
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 1,176
HMP Oakwood maintains good overall safety and humane treatment, with commendations for staff collaboration, peer-led initiatives, and positive reception processes. However, significant concerns persist regarding the quality and quantity of education provision by Novus due to staffing issues, and a lack of national progress on prisoner property transfers. Other key issues include inconsistent use of force implementation, deteriorating cell facilities, and challenges in healthcare provision such as medication transfers and secondary care capacity. The Board will continue to monitor these areas in the next reporting period.
Key concerns identified
- The quality and quantity of educational provision by Novus has fallen sharply, impacted by significant staffing issues including poor retention and recruitment.
- Little progress has been made at a national level to address concerns about the management, accountability, and transfer of prisoner property across the prison estate.
- There are outstanding questions regarding the clarity and implementation of the prison's drug and alcohol strategy, including protocols with Police and Probation, and CCTV in visits.
- Recommendations made by Instructors regarding the use of force are not being fully implemented.
- Shower and toilet facilities in cells are deteriorating and difficult to maintain as hygienic.
- Staff inconsistently enforce PPE use and adequate cleaning materials are not always available in serveries.
- Health complaints boxes are not always readily available or accessible to prisoners.
- New arrivals are sometimes left without medication on their first night due to transferring prisons failing to send it.
- Officers are not consistently present at medicine hatches during dispensing, adding pressure on nurses.
- Delays in checking prisoner telephone numbers on transfer prevent timely communication with families.
- Body-worn video cameras are not always being used by operational staff.
- Agency nurses attending Good Order Reviews in the CSU sometimes lack awareness of complex prisoner needs.
- There are ongoing problems with the follow-up of PPO and consultant recommendations for secondary healthcare referrals due to capacity constraints.
- Wages for vocational courses are lower than those for industries, potentially disincentivizing participation.
- A lack of internal evaluation on education outcomes, due to new system development, hinders assessment of training effectiveness.
- An increase in race-related Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs) highlights concerns regarding equality.
- Timeframes for referring prisoners with severe mental health problems to the secure estate are problematic.
- Little progress has been made at a national level to address concerns about the management, accountability, and transfer of prisoner property across the prison estate.
- There are outstanding questions regarding the clarity and implementation of the prison's drug and alcohol strategy, including protocols with Police and Probation, and CCTV in visits.
- Recommendations made by Instructors regarding the use of force are not being fully implemented.
- Shower and toilet facilities in cells are deteriorating and difficult to maintain as hygienic.
- Staff inconsistently enforce PPE use and adequate cleaning materials are not always available in serveries.
- Health complaints boxes are not always readily available or accessible to prisoners.
- New arrivals are sometimes left without medication on their first night due to transferring prisons failing to send it.
- Officers are not consistently present at medicine hatches during dispensing, adding pressure on nurses.
- Delays in checking prisoner telephone numbers on transfer prevent timely communication with families.
- Body-worn video cameras are not always being used by operational staff.
- Agency nurses attending Good Order Reviews in the CSU sometimes lack awareness of complex prisoner needs.
- There are ongoing problems with the follow-up of PPO and consultant recommendations for secondary healthcare referrals due to capacity constraints.
- Wages for vocational courses are lower than those for industries, potentially disincentivizing participation.
- A lack of internal evaluation on education outcomes, due to new system development, hinders assessment of training effectiveness.
- An increase in race-related Discrimination Incident Reporting Forms (DIRFs) highlights concerns regarding equality.
- Timeframes for referring prisoners with severe mental health problems to the secure estate are problematic.
Send
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 543
Assaults: 24
Staff assaults: 14
HMP Send is considered a safe and humane prison, with decent living conditions and staff demonstrating kindness, though it handles challenging prisoners with complex needs. There has been an increase in violence and self-harm, partly attributed to drug usage. The Board is concerned about the prolonged detention of IPP prisoners, staff shortages affecting the regime, and issues with the canteen service and property transfers. Positively, dental waiting times have improved, and resettlement into accommodation is notably successful.
Key concerns identified
- The unjust detention of IPP prisoners who are all many years past their tariff date.
- Failure to provide enough probation officers, denying prisoners entitled support.
- Fewer prisoners benefiting from Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) despite policy framework changes.
- The new Integrity Hotline is not added to the national permitted PIN phone numbers.
- The canteen contract operated by DHL is unsatisfactory.
- Difficulty in recruiting staff, leading to shortages that impact the regime and prisoners.
- Prisoners’ property regularly continues to be left behind during transfers to Send.
- Failure to prevent illegal drugs from entering the establishment, impacting stability and safety.
- Lack of better support from the Offender Management Unit (OMU), with untimely responses to applications.
- Regular incorrect roll checks continue to disrupt the regime.
- Prisoner equality focus groups are not held regularly and actions are not taken forward consistently.
- Failure to provide enough probation officers, denying prisoners entitled support.
- Fewer prisoners benefiting from Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) despite policy framework changes.
- The new Integrity Hotline is not added to the national permitted PIN phone numbers.
- The canteen contract operated by DHL is unsatisfactory.
- Difficulty in recruiting staff, leading to shortages that impact the regime and prisoners.
- Prisoners’ property regularly continues to be left behind during transfers to Send.
- Failure to prevent illegal drugs from entering the establishment, impacting stability and safety.
- Lack of better support from the Offender Management Unit (OMU), with untimely responses to applications.
- Regular incorrect roll checks continue to disrupt the regime.
- Prisoner equality focus groups are not held regularly and actions are not taken forward consistently.