Prison cell observation panels

The Governor

The Governor should ensure that: prisoners who block their observation panels are challenged, blockages are removed, and frequent offenders receive appropriate disciplinary action or support; staff are aware of national guidance and understand their responsibilities when they find a cell …

The Governor

The Governor should ensure that: • Bedford Staff Community Notice 19/2020 is updated to provide guidance to staff about measures to take when checking on prisoners with damaged, broken or blocked observation panels; and • broken observation panels are replaced …

The Governor of HMP Liverpool

The Governor should ensure that staff are aware of and understand what is expected of them when they find a cell observation panel obscured.

The Governor of HMP Whatton

The Governor should ensure that a local protocol is developed and shared with staff to instruct them on what to do if they find a cell observation panel obscured.

The Director of HMP Lowdham Grange

The Director should evidence how the prison will monitor the challenging of blocked observation panels to ensure compliance with local processes.

The Governor

The Governor should ensure that staff understand local policy around covered observation panels, that prisoners are appropriately challenged, and blockages removed, and that there is not a culture in which prisoners routinely cover observation panels.

The Governor of HMP Erlestoke

The Governor should ensure that a local protocol is developed and shared with staff to instruct them on what to do if they find a cell observation panel obscured.

The Governor

The Governor should ensure that staff respond appropriately to blocked observation panels to ensure the security and safety of prisoners, and that managers support staff to enforce this.

The Governor

The Governor should ensure that staff follow the correct procedures when they find a prisoner has covered their cell observation panel.

The Governor

The Governor should ensure that the CCTV cameras on Houseblock 4 are reactivated or replaced as a matter of urgency.

The Governor

The Governor should evidence how the prison will monitor the challenging of blocked observation panels to ensure compliance with local processes.

The Governor

The Governor should review the guidance on roll checks and covered observation panels.

Man dies after becoming unwell in custody - Essex Police, November 2017

An investigation into the death of a man following his detention at Grays Police Station found that there was not full CCTV coverage of the holding cell in which he had been placed. This was because the CCTV camera in …

Man dies after becoming unwell in custody - Essex Police, November 2017

Our investigation into the death of a man following his detention at Grays Police Station found that there was not full CCTV coverage of the holding cell in which he had been placed. This was because the CCTV camera in …

Recommendations - Leicestershire Police and Mitie, October 2025

The IOPC recommends that Mitie should work with Leicestershire Police to review their initial custody training to ensure it aligns with national standards for police custody, including how to conduct cell checks and what should be done if a detainee …

Recommendations - Leicestershire Police and Mitie, October 2025

The IOPC recommends that Leicestershire Police should create guidance for custody staff to support them in implementing the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) when conducting cell checks. The guidance should include the length of cell checks, actions to …

Recommendation - Greater Manchester Police, June 2022

The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police should ensure custody cell doors are equipped with an opening hatch that allows officers to be able to hear and communicate with detainees without the requirement to open the cell door in order …

Recommendation - North Yorkshire Police, March 2021

​The IOPC recommends that North Yorkshire Police should: Until any work on re-positioning/re-configuring any CCTV facilities are completed North Yorkshire Police should put in place interim measures to mitigate the risks posed by CCTV blind spots in cells. This follows …

Man sustained a serious injury while in custody – Cleveland Police, August …

The IOPC recommends that Cleveland Police should review the working practices used in custody, specifically in relation to CCTV observations, to ensure that the principles set out in the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) are followed. This should include consideration of; …

Recommendations - Metropolitan Police Service, July 2021

The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) should review the custody handover practices to ensure there is adequate monitoring of occupied cells during handover periods. We would recommend that as part of this, it is also ensured that …

Woodhill (2025)

HMP Woodhill faced ongoing challenges in safety, healthcare, and infrastructure during the reporting year, despite some positive developments like an improved induction unit and valued mental health services. High rates of assaults and self-harm, coupled with staffing inexperience and significant delays in mental health transfers, were prominent concerns. The Board also highlighted the deteriorating state of the prison's fabric and persistent issues with the property system, emphasizing a continued need for fundamental improvements across various operational areas.

PRISON Key concerns

Durham (2025)

HMP Durham, a reception and resettlement prison, housed an average of 961 men against an operational capacity of 985 during the reporting year. The Board observed improvements in first-night healthcare screening and a reduction in self-harm incidents, alongside a significant increase in overall deaths in custody. Persistent overcrowding, inadequate regime delivery with prisoners spending 21.5 hours in cells, and critical staffing shortages impacting key working and healthcare access remain significant concerns.

PRISON Key concerns

Gartree (2023)

Can the Governor give further assurance that staff will be adequality trained to ensure they challenge all and any prisoners who cover their observations panels? This has been raised in a number of PPO reports about Deaths in Custody.

Governor / Director

Woodhill (2025)

Will the Governor respond to the PPO report and impose a more stringent incentives scheme policy for prisoners who repeatedly block their cell door observation panels?

Governor / Director

Exeter (2020)

Will the Governor consider deploying dedicated staffing in the CSU to provide night cover and/or increase viewing access to CCTV in the CSU so that it can be viewed from the A2/3 wing offices? (See paragraph 5.2.2).

Governor / Director

Lancaster Farms (2021)

To ensure that work previously planned to introduce screening of toilets within double cells is completed as soon as possible (paragraph 5.1.2).

Governor / Director

Gartree (2024)

Please can the Governor give further assurance that staff will be adequately trained to ensure that they challenge any prisoner who covers their observations panels? This has been raised in a number of Prisons and Probation Ombudsman reports about deaths in custody.

Governor / Director

Rochester (2021)

The Board is still noting that cell clearance checks remain haphazard and many are not conducted properly, particularly when an individual is moved to the CSU from a double cell. Can this be addressed please?

Governor / Director

Feltham (2024)

When will the enhanced support unit be reopened on Feltham A?

HMPPS

Exeter (2024)

Will the return of the temporary CSU to A wing, following refurbishment, provide a suitable location for segregated prisoners and an appropriate and dedicated space for reviews and adjudications to take place?

HMPPS

Coldingley (2024)

Does the Minister agree that it is unacceptable in 2024 for prisoners to live without in-cell sanitation? The refurbishment in Coldingley will not be completed for at least three years so, for at least two years, some men will continue to rely on an antiquated and unreliable sanitation system. What can be done to ensure these prisoners can relieve and …

Ministry of Justice

Winchester (2020)

Despite the Board informing ministers for several years that the CSU in HMP/YOI Winchester is unfit for habitation, unsafe and prevents the humane treatment of prisoners, there is still no definite date or funding for the start of a promised replacement building (see sections 2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 4.4, 5.2, 6.2, 6.3). When will this unacceptable and dangerous situation be …

Ministry of Justice

Lincoln (2020)

The Board is still concerned about the lack of closed-circuit television (CCTV) on E wing (see paragraph 4.8). When can we expect it to be installed?

HMPPS

Featherstone (2020)

Despite expenditure on a refurbishment programme, much of the residential accommodation, such as windows, heating and showers, is below the standard expected in the 21st century. While there has been some improvement in the operation of the maintenance contract, prison managers are often frustrated by the lack of progress, which is outside of their remit. How will the minister support …

Ministry of Justice

Drake Hall (2020)

The Board again draws attention to the condition of Richmond and Plymouth houses, which are not fit for purpose. Allowing prisoners to live in sub-standard accommodation is detrimental to their physical and mental wellbeing, and the provision of new accommodation is long overdue.

Ministry of Justice

Swaleside (2021)

The lack of in-cell telephony in the inpatients department (IPD) still needs to be addressed. (see sections 5.4 and 6.1)

HMPPS

Norwich (2021)

Are there plans for the replacement/refurbishment of the segregation unit to provide a unit with the scope to allow staff to 'focus on helping prisoners manage their behaviour and problems rather than simply on punishment' (PSO 1700, Introduction)?

HMPPS

Norwich (2021)

The Board requests that the prison service looks into the case of the prisoner referred to in section 5.2 (Segregation/Special Accommodation) as his treatment is inhumane and there are fears for his wellbeing. This does not in any way reflect upon the care for this prisoner given by HMP/YOI Norwich which continues to be fair, but on the individual specifics …

HMPPS

Lancaster Farms (2023)

To ensure that any work in regard to toilets in double cells is speedily addressed: broken screens, lack of toilet seats, etc.

Governor / Director

Durham (2023)

How will you ensure that cells are adequately furnished and that new receptions have access to bedding and clothing? (5.1.8 - 5.1.11)

Governor / Director

Dartmoor (2024)

Lockdown, due to the Covid pandemic, coincided with the elevated Radon gas levels being identified. During this period, 2020-2021, prisoners were frequently locked down for 23 hours a day. The risk to prisoners of prolonged exposure to Radon gas in cells with poor ventilation appears to have been ignored. Why was this not raised?

HMPPS

Erlestoke (2025)

What action can be taken to improve the quality and safety of the constant watch cell, given that the three proposed new house blocks are on hold?

HMPPS

Wormwood Scrubs (2020)

Can the Governor take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that prisoners on the Elizabeth Fry unit are not susceptible to other prisoners from E wing coming onto the unit?

Governor / Director

Maidstone (2020)

Implement the move of the segregation unit cells (see paragraph 6.1).

HMPPS

Maidstone (2020)

Deliver on the promise made in the reply to last year’s annual report, to move the segregation unit (see paragraph 6.1).

Other

Birmingham (2020)

Will the minister guarantee that, as advised, when the three Victorian wings, now closed, are refurbished they will be single-occupancy cells, to avoid the overcrowding of the past that contributed to uninhabitable living conditions, poor staff/prisoner relationships and an unsafe prison?

Ministry of Justice

Coldingley (2021)

Would the Prison Service please confirm that priority will be given in terms of resource allocation (such as effective CCTV) to keeping prisoners safe and free from bullying?

HMPPS

Preston (2022)

Cell conditions should be Improved and upgraded, including better toilet screening.

Governor / Director

Long Lartin (2022)

Will they give their assurance that due attention is being given to this issue? [cells on four wings lack running water and sanitation]

Other

Leeds (2022)

Yet again, the IMB must raise the issue of inappropriate accommodation for prisoners. Sharing small cells that were built for single occupancy is difficult at the best of times. Prisoners sharing a cell with someone they do not get on with or have different values or beliefs from is often a recipe for trouble and prisoners have little or no …

Ministry of Justice

Bedford (2022)

We hope that this year the segregation unit will finally be moved from its underground location.

Governor / Director

Rochester (2023)

As noted last year, there has been some improvement in cell clearance checks, but it still remains haphazard and many are not conducted properly, particularly when an individual is moved to the CSU. Can this be addressed? (See paragraph 5.8.c.)

Governor / Director

Brixton (2024)

HMP Brixton recently celebrated its bicentenary. Old buildings do not get better with age and without money spent on them; we have reported as much year after year. In 2012, we wrote ‘The neglect of capital works at Brixton, over many years, means that the prison buildings are not fit for purpose, and will not be, despite best efforts, for …

HMPPS

Berwyn (2024)

What will the Prison Service do to address the serious problem with paint peeling off the walls in cells, given that the refurbishment programme has been stopped due to the increase in the prison population and current measures are inadequate?

HMPPS

Preston (2025)

The Governor should outline intentions to improve cell clearance procedures.

Governor / Director

Erlestoke (2025)

What processes and checks will be put in place to ensure improvements are made to the poor state of the induction cells?

Governor / Director

Swinfen Hall (2020)

Concerns about hygiene include: • the practice of prisoners on most wings being required to eat meals in their cells, close to a toilet (see paragraph 5.1(b)). Is there a plan to improve this? • the risk of further infestation of rats on the site, which was dangerously extensive last year (see paragraph 5.1(c)]. What mitigation measures are in place?

Governor / Director

Cookham Wood (2020)

The CSU is old and has inadequate facilities. What will be done to improve these facilities, or to relocate the unit? In particular, boys in this unit (unlike all the other boys at Cookham Wood) do not have in-cell telephones to speak with their families. Will in-cell telephones be provided in the CSU, and if not, why not?

Governor / Director

Bure (2020)

Will the minister ensure that resources are made available for urgent work to the ventilation system in residences 1 to 6, to improve the air quality and increase the level of ventilation, especially taking into account that prisoners are presently locked up for up to 23 hours a day owing to COVID-19 and the expectation that this situation will continue …

Ministry of Justice

Wayland (2022)

The Board suggests wing management ensure that cell clearances are properly carried out in future.

Governor / Director

Isis (2022)

A solution to the broken windows in prisoners’ cells needs to be found and funded.

HMPPS

Foston Hall (2023)

There has been continued inadequacy of accommodation in the CSU and D wing. Will there be further funding to improve the quality and decency of these wings?

HMPPS

Buckley Hall (2023)

When will CCTV be installed in Healthcare?

Governor / Director

Chelmsford (2024)

The Board asks, again (as in our previous report), how does the Prison Service plan to eliminate overcrowding? A total of 69% of men in HMP Chelmsford share cells designed for single occupancy. This conflicts with the requirements of decency and respect and is in contravention of the United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners. The Board …

HMPPS

Bedford (2024)

Whilst there have been improvements in overall cleanliness, many of the cells remain in a very poor condition.

Governor / Director

Werrington (2025)

Given the risk of young people being assaulted by their peers, what measures will the Minister implement to safeguard those convicted of sexual offences, and does this include the provision of dedicated, separate accommodation?

Ministry of Justice

Swansea (2025)

Prisoners with significant mental health needs are being held for lengthy periods, often in segregated conditions, whilst waiting for specialist hospital care. Given that demand for inpatient care appears to exceed healthcare capacity, what specific actions will the Minister take to reduce delays, prevent the use of segregation for acutely unwell prisoners and ensure timely access to appropriate inpatient mental …

Other

Berwyn (2020)

The Board again highlights the issue of the lack of facilities, in terms of meeting rooms and interview rooms, in this newly built establishment. The 70% double room and 30% single room configuration is proving challenging to manage, given the requirements of CSRAs and the composition of this diverse population. The figure of 70% double rooms and 30% single rooms …

Ministry of Justice

Coldingley (2022)

managers must not give up searching for innovative and imaginative methods of increasing surveillance and improving everyone’s safety.

Governor / Director

Wealstun (2024)

As referenced in our last report, when is it planned to consider a complete refurbishment or replacement of the older wings (A and B wings)? It is increasingly apparent that this accommodation, built in the 1960s, needs significant remedial action for a number of reasons and is not a humane environment for prisoners.

HMPPS

Long Lartin (2024)

Lack of in-cell sanitation: prisoners on four wings continue to use the 'slopping out' process, which falls below modern standards of decency. When does the Government intend to provide all cells with running water and sanitation?

Ministry of Justice

Lindholme (2025)

The Board asks that the Governor considers implementing a deep-cleaning programme of the in-cell toilets.

Governor / Director

— LP D

Although there is now CCTV, staff should check prisoners in the holding room every ten minutes.

HMPPS Partially Accepted

— LP 1

In order to reduce the risk of harm posed by prisoners to other prisoners’ Cell Sharing Risk Assessments should be better recorded and steps to mitigate risk of harm clearly stated. In addition, there should be a system for retrieval of the document upon request.

HMP Durham

— LP H

We recommend that a more detailed policy is developed about the allocation of cells. For prisoners subject to ACCT monitoring, any cell moves should be agreed as part of the reviewing process, other than in an emergency when they should be reported to the Case Review.

HMPPS Partially Accepted

— LP 3

In order to reduce congestion in and around showers and make observation easier HMP Durham should introduce a prisoner reservation booking system for the use of showers.

HMP Durham Partially Accepted

201303897 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, a prisoner, complained that staff at his prison carried out a personal search in a manner that was unreasonable in his particular circumstances. In looking at Mr C's complaint, our role was to examine whether the prison followed the correct procedure in carrying out the search. When we …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Apr 2014

201305611 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison did not address his concerns about the temperature in his residential hall. We made enquiries of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), and found that complaints were received from prisoners about the temperature in the hall. Steps were taken to resolve …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Jul 2014

201103838 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that at times the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had required him to share a cell that was not of an adequate size to accommodate two prisoners. He had been sharing a cell that was intended as a single, but which has been fitted …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Jun 2012

201200636 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison refused to locate him next to his friend and also that they inappropriately located him next to individuals with whom he had had issues in the past. When the prison explained to us the reasons for their decisions, we were …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Oct 2012

201304806 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the built-in DVD player on his in-cell TV set did not work. He did not feel it was fair to pay the full TV service charge when his set was defective. However, the prison confirmed that Mr C was paying for access …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld Jun 2014

201404940 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that his prison unreasonably reversed their decision to allow him to move into a shared cell. We found that, as they acknowledged, the prison had made the wrong decision in allowing Mr C to move to a shared cell and, therefore, they were correcting their mistake when …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld May 2015

201607622 — Scottish Prison Service

Ms C complained about a number of aspects of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS)' management of her. She complained that the SPS: held her in an unsuitable cell when she was on Act 2 Care (the suicide risk management policy) acted unreasonably in relation to an incident when she was …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld Feb 2019