Prison fire safety
Failure of HMPPS to meet fire-safety compliance deadlines for a significant number of prison places.
152 items
8 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#15 - HMPPS unable to meet 2027 fire-safety compliance deadline for 23,000 prison places
The NAO report highlighted several risks to existing prison capacity. This included that around a quarter (23,000) of occupied prison places are at risk of enforcement by the Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate 38 Q 43 39 Qq 43,46 40 Ministry of Justice, Annual Statement on Prison Capacity: 2024, December 2024, page 7 41 C&AG’s Report, Figure 9...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
Committee recommendation
81match
#22 - HMPPS maintains safety 'red lines' during overcrowding, acknowledging continued challenges
We asked HMPPS what it was doing to keep prisoners safe in the context of prisons being so overcrowded.75 It explained that it had introduced three “red lines” which it had stuck to rigidly. These included: keeping at least 1,500 cells that require fire maintenance out of use so that it could continue with remediation work; only crowding...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
IMB annual report
76match
Styal (2025)
HMP/YOI Styal, a local women's prison, grapples with a complex population, leading to concerns about high self-harm rates and an increased number of deaths in custody. The Board highlights persistent issues with estate maintenance, fire safety, and a lack of consistent staff supervision on houses, which impacts prisoner safety and regime delivery. Despite improvements in healthcare and education...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
PFD report
73match
Charlie Todd
A lack of supervisory oversight, inadequate staffing, and a manual, untracked system for hourly checks in the SACU led to incomplete observations and a failure to ensure prisoner safety.
Matched on
terms: prison, safety
PFD report
73match
Saifur Rahman
Delayed emergency "code blue" calls, absence of a central cell history record, and inadequate visual risk assessments by mental health staff in the prison pose significant ongoing safety risks.
Matched on
terms: prison, safety
IMB recommendation
72match
Grendon (2021)
Further delays to the delivery of the fire safety project will reduce the prison’s capacity to deliver the very best outcomes for residents and its therapeutic work (see 5.1.1 and 7.1.5).
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
IMB recommendation
72match
Elmley (2024)
Prisoners - and staff - are at substantial risk of serious harm due to the fire safety issues on house block 5. The Minister must take urgent action to address this very worrying problem and preclude its use as a residential house block until the risk is effectively mitigated.
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
IMB annual report
72match
Styal (2021)
HMP/YOI Styal effectively managed the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining a safe and humane environment despite significant regime restrictions. While primary healthcare was good, mental health needs were not fully supported, and purposeful activity was severely curtailed due to lockdowns. Key concerns include fire safety risks in unrefurbished houses, ongoing maintenance failings, and the need for more resources to tackle...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
IMB annual report
72match
Grendon (2021)
HMP Grendon demonstrated a safe environment in 2021 with improvements across several safety indicators including self-harm, assaults, and ACCTs, despite ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and fire safety works. The Board commended improvements in diversity and inclusion, healthcare access, and vaccine rollout. However, significant concerns remain regarding the persistent issues with the night sanitation system, the loss of community ethos,...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
IMB recommendation
72match
Styal (2021)
There is a significant fire risk to prisoners who reside in the 16 houses which have not yet been refurbished at Styal. A recent survey has classed all of these buildings as red fire risk. These risks include the existence of false ceilings, and ceilings made of lath and plaster, which would require expensive and specialist repair to...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
PFD report
69match
Christian Hinkley
Prison fire detection systems are inadequate and unable to reliably detect cell fires early enough to save lives. Despite repeated warnings and notices issued since 2015, in-cell automatic fire detectors remain uninstalled.
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
PFD report
69match
Richard Hunt
Deliberate tampering with prison fire alarm systems, disabling their buzzers, led to undetected fires, a systemic issue worsened by the absence of central oversight for wing office fault reporting.
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
IMB recommendation
68match
Grendon (2022)
Improvements to the delivery schedule of the ongoing fire and safety project, as well as improved handovers of completed wings, are necessary in order to reduce disruption and return the prison to capacity (5.1).
Matched on
terms: fire, prison, safety
IMB recommendation
65match
Gartree (2023)
Can the Governor give full assurance that all residential wings and other functional areas of the prison are fully compliant with the requirements for fire drills to be held and tested and that all staff and prisoners are aware of what to do in the event of a fire alarm sounding?
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
IMB recommendation
64match
Ford (2021)
It is a pity that after many years of submissions by the senior management and criticism in our last 13 annual reports, your predecessors appeared to have no plan in place for the replacement of the wooden billets on B wing when they were finally condemned following a fire inspection in November 2020. This failure to plan ahead...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
PFD report
61match
Sean Davies
Inadequate risk formulation for IPP prisoners and failures by prison officers to conduct welfare checks according to guidance. Furthermore, some operational support staff lacked proper training or adhered to it.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
60match
Thorn Cross (2021)
The prison is failing in its duty to provide a decent fire retardant seating, as referenced in our last report. An alternative seating needs to be found.
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
IMB recommendation
60match
Eastwood Park (2022)
Following the closure of residential unit 7’s first floor due to fire safety concerns, what is the future for this building and will alternative accommodation / facilities for women suitable for open conditions be provided?
Matched on
terms: fire, safety
IMB recommendation
60match
East Sutton Park (2022)
To review the fire contingency plan, as the Board considers that the new system needs to be carefully monitored as to its effectiveness at reaching all areas of the prison in a prompt manner.
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
IMB recommendation
60match
Gartree (2024)
In last year’s report, the Board raised some issues about fire safety: there was no assurance that everyone knew either what a ‘general’ fire alarm sounded like or what should happen if one was heard. There have been some drills carried out in the past year and this is encouraging. Will the Board be allowed access to the...
Matched on
terms: fire, safety
IMB recommendation
60match
Thorn Cross (2020)
The fire alarm system does not meet current standards. The residential units have now had adaptations to an external door, which can be opened by the prisoners in an emergency, allowing their exit. The installation of a new system, including smoke alarms in each room, has been dragging on for some time; however, although planning meetings and site...
Matched on
terms: fire, prison
IMB recommendation
60match
South and East 2023-24 Short Term Holding Facilities (STHF) (2024)
As noted in 5.1 the Board recommends that the capacity at Luton Airport STHF is reviewed urgently, due to the potential impact on the safety of detained persons and staff in the event of a fire. The facility regularly has luggage over-spilling from the kitchen and the number of residents in a day has been as high as...
Matched on
terms: fire, safety
PFD report
57match
Christopher Moss
Concerns exist regarding the availability of appropriate equipment, specifically a hooligan bar, for dealing with cell door barricade incidents in prisons, potentially delaying emergency access to inmates.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
57match
Norwich (2022)
What resources are being allocated to replace these fittings to reduce the risk to life of fire?
Matched on
terms: fire
IMB annual report
56match
Springhill (2024)
HMP Springhill, a Category D open prison, typically held over 300 men with an operational capacity of 3351. The reporting year saw low levels of self-harm and violence, but persistent infrastructure failures, understaffing in education and OMU, and disjointed resettlement activities posed significant challenges. While 41 new single cells were a positive addition, the influx of men following...
Matched on
terms: prison
CQC action
56match
We Can Recover CIC
The service did not ensure that fire safety procedures were carried out in line with the provider’s policy and fire risk assessment documents.
Matched on
terms: fire, safety
IMB recommendation
56match
Hindley (2021)
The ongoing problem with litter outside F wing and behind window grilles across the prison is not only an eyesore but also a health, safety, and security risk. The Board urges the Governor to ensure that further action is taken to resolve this matter.
Matched on
terms: prison, safety
IMB recommendation
53match
Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (2020)
Fire drills should be reinstated
Matched on
terms: fire
IMB annual report
52match
Brinsford (2025)
HMP/YOI Brinsford, a YOI and Category C resettlement prison, held an average of 545 prisoners during the reporting year. While the environment is generally considered safe and healthcare provision good, the Board has significant concerns regarding the persistent delays in mental health transfers, the poor condition of the estate, and inadequate education and purposeful activity. Key worker compliance...
Matched on
terms: prison
CQC action
51match
Southwinds
The provider did not ensure that the premises was safe as fire safety procedures were not followed.
Matched on
terms: fire, safety
IMB recommendation
51match
Wormwood Scrubs (2024)
What further support will the Minister provide to rectify issues with the antiquated buildings and infrastructure to improve living conditions and safety in the prison?
Matched on
terms: prison, safety
IMB recommendation
51match
Highpoint (2022)
The netting that blew down in a storm over two years ago at HMP Highpoint, and which has still not been mended or replaced, remains a security and safety issue. This prison is vulnerable to throwovers, and the increased opportunity for contraband to get into the prison has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the...
Matched on
terms: prison, safety
IMB recommendation
48match
Thorn Cross (2022)
To provide decent fire retardant seating consistent with the ethos of the open estate (5.1.2).
Matched on
terms: fire
IMB recommendation
48match
Swansea (2025)
Given that feasibility studies have now been completed, what funding will be available in 2025-2026 for the long-overdue upgrade of the fire alarm system, and when will work start?
Matched on
terms: fire
IMB recommendation
47match
Wormwood Scrubs (2020)
Will the minister ensure that sufficient funds continue to be available to the prison for the continuation and enhancement of measures taken to increase the safety of prisoners?
Matched on
terms: prison, safety
PFD report
45match
Wayne Boughen
HMP Leeds lacks certified anti-ligature cells, failing national standards, which allowed an inmate to use a jumper for self-harm in an ordinary cell.
Matched on
classifier match
IMB recommendation
44match
Heathrow immigration removal centre (2023)
The contractor should make every effort to reduce smoking in the units, as this could lead to fires. People in detention should be challenged about smoking inside the wings.
Matched on
terms: fire
IMB recommendation
44match
Stoke Heath (2025)
The Board recommends that the Prison Service provides the funding required to make accommodation and service areas, such as the kitchen and boilers, decent and safe, as refurbishment has been postponed year after year.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Hollesley Bay (2022)
Requests that the outstanding repair and maintenance issues being faced daily by most prisons in the UK are addressed.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Leyhill (2023)
Will the prison service install a general alarm system fitted to each room?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Lewes (2023)
Will the prison service ensure that maintenance and repairs are carried out in a timely manner and that sufficient funding is available locally to do this?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Grendon (2024)
There are still issues with the building infrastructure and associated poor sanitation arrangements in the non-refurbished wings, along with continued rat infestation and the over-heating that is experienced by staff and prisoners during the year. What longer-term plans does the Governor have to address these issues?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Wandsworth (2025)
The basic conditions for prisoners at Wandsworth remain inadequate, both in terms of the infrastructure of the buildings (showers not operative, inconsistent heating, damaged cells, etc.) and the provision of kit (including clothing and bedding). What support will be provided to the prison to help rectify this?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB annual report
39match
Buckley Hall (2024)
HMP Buckley Hall, a Category C training prison, has seen improvements in healthcare provision and staff-prisoner relationships. However, the report highlights significant concerns including persistent security weaknesses, frequent regime disruptions due to staff shortages, and the deteriorating state of the prison’s infrastructure. The Board is particularly worried about the high levels of self-harm, inadequate support for IPP prisoners,...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Swaleside (2020)
The state of Swaleside showers has been mentioned in several previous reports. There has been some progress in this area but still some wings have shower areas that are way below standard and have not been improved at all. The overall level of cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired with litter around the outside of many wings...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Wandsworth (2021)
The fabric of the prisoner accommodation continued to be unacceptable with broken windows, mould, leaking plumbing, leaking rooves, frequent heating failures, pigeon faeces, rodents and other issues. This is neither decent nor acceptable. What plans does the Prison Service have to address the wholly unacceptable state of the residential facilities?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
39match
Onley (2022)
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) should advise when essential work on the poor state of windows in the older parts of the prison will be carried out, as it has a detrimental effect on decency standards and needs addressing as a priority.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
35match
Wandsworth (2024)
Men have endured another year of inadequate shower facilities coupled with numerous boiler failures resulting in periods of no hot water or heating. When will the old and inadequate heating and water systems be replaced with modern, efficient equipment?
Matched on
classifier match
IMB recommendation
35match
Risley (2020)
The showering facilities have been proving problematic over the last 12–18 months, with issues around the sufficient provision of hot water and bad water pressure, as well as showing a definite need for maintenance, decoration and refurbishment. What is the prison’s intention with regard to rectifying these issues?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
35match
Gartree (2020)
Does the Prison Service consider that Gartree has a sufficient ongoing maintenance budget and capital funding in order both that prisoners can live, and staff can work within a safe, secure and decent environment?
Matched on
terms: prison