IMB Annual Reports

bullet Can the minister offer reassurance that sufficient funding will be available to address the necessary requirements to offer much improved accommodation and associated services at HMP Springhill?
bullet Why has there been a 30% reduction in real terms to the education provision across Springhill as this support is a key part of prisoners’ rehabilitation and preparation for employment when released?
bullet Property related issues experienced at Springhill create unnecessary anxiety and generate numerous complaints from prisoners. What priority is the Prison Service giving to finding effective solutions for the continued issues with prisoners’ personal property and adherence to the National Policy Framework?

- The UK government continues to under-invest in rehabilitation services for open prisons, specifically in offender management and educational/vocational services.
- Persistent issues with outside probation and other agencies delay men’s access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), exacerbated by new early release schemes.
- Fluctuations in demand due to early release schemes like SDS40 overwhelm on-site services, particularly mental health.
- The poor state of Springhill’s infrastructure (leaking buildings, unreliable fire alarms, power outages, failing sanitation, rats) seriously impacts the ability to deliver a safe and enabling environment.
- Staffing problems in core education subjects and the Offender Management Unit (OMU) hinder men's progression and access to resettlement support.
- Activities designed to support men's progression towards sustainable employment remain disjointed, leading to underemployment in low-value on-camp work.

- The quality of accommodation in older huts remains very poor, and the decaying infrastructure hampers the prison's functioning and preparation for release.
- A major rat infestation persisted for much of the year, leading to inhumane living conditions and distress among men.
- Ongoing staff shortages, particularly in OMU and Activities, delay prisoner boarding, limit job opportunities, and affect healthcare and education provision.
- The paucity of data continues to hamper the Board's ability to effectively assess healthcare provision and the health complaints system.
- Prisoner pay levels have fallen well behind price increases, with no pay award this year, contributing to an erosion of morale.
- Issues with outside probation continue to delay men's access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), and the problems have worsened.

- The quality of accommodation for the majority of men in the older huts remains very poor, and there is an ongoing need for appropriate investment in the decaying infrastructure.
- Delays with outside probation continue to affect men’s access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL).
- Access to approved premises for restricted prisoners on resettlement overnight releases (RORs) has become especially difficult.
- Pay levels for men not in full-time work have fallen well behind price increases, and the Governor's ability to award meaningful pay rises is constrained.
- Property complaints, particularly involving transfers between establishments, remain high and have not reduced despite new policy frameworks.
- ROTL is not consistently leading to sustainable employment on release, with low post-release employment rates for most months.
- Insufficient purposeful activity on camp, with too many men in roles that don't offer resettlement opportunities.
- Inadequate staff training on complaints responses and suicide and self-harm (SASH) prevention.
- Limited access to healthcare data hinders effective oversight and assessment of provision.

- The condition of most of the huts is not decent and does not support Springhill’s resettlement objectives, with planned works from 2019 yet to be delivered for the reception area.
- Late delivery of building projects, including new accommodation, severely impacted some men's access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), education, and work opportunities.
- The open estate has not been allocated body scanners, missing an opportunity to improve the detection of illicit items, especially compared to neighbouring HMP Grendon.
- The budget for resident pay and food has remained unchanged for many years, making it difficult to sustain standards and keep pace with inflation.
- Issues with outside probation are causing significant delays for residents in accessing ROTL and securing appropriate accommodation on release.
- There is a lack of a clear understanding of actual levels of mental ill-health within the prison, with many residents reporting deteriorating emotional wellbeing and communication issues with staff.

- Intelligence reports of intruders, drop-offs, substance misuse, and threats to residents increased throughout the year, suggesting reduced safety.
- Effective communication between staff and residents proved a challenge.
- Analysis of equality and diversity issues did not function effectively due to staff shortages, and the Board found some evidence that there are issues requiring investigation.
- Recurring problems with pest control and foul water systems in accommodation.
- Centralised processes for compassionate and special licence release did not adequately consider local risk assessments.
- Deteriorating accommodation and employment prospects for some residents on release.
- Unfair implementation of the furlough scheme and repayments under the Prisoners Earnings Act.
- Diversity and equality issues raised in 2019 remain unaddressed.