Prison Overcrowding & Staff Vacancies
Prison overcrowding combined with high staff vacancies severely undermining the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation and ensure safety.
1,792 items
10 sources
1 inquiry
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Prison Overcrowding & Staff Vacancies has been flagged across 10 independent accountability sources:
1 inquiry rec
140 PFD reports
81 committee recs
18 PPO recs
11 NAO recs
291 IMB reports
1028 IMB recs
17 Article 2 learning points
7 detention investigation recs
198 LGO/SPSO decisions
When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
PFD Reports (140) — showing 50 strongest matches
Luke Ashcroft
Concerns: Corded telephones in CSU cells pose a clear self-harm risk when suspended, and unreliable provision of telephone access prevents prisoners in crisis from reaching support services.
Overdue
Ronald Meikle
Concerns: Key concerns include widespread availability of illicit drugs, inconsistent response to intoxication, fragmented information sharing, blocked observation panels, and inadequate support for vulnerable prisoners.
Overdue
Thomas Ruggiero
Concerns: Widespread reliance on inexperienced, probationary prison officers across the prison estate leads to poor communication, lack of control, and increased risk of deaths in custody.
Overdue
Thomas Ruggiero
Concerns: Key issues include a vulnerable cell bell system that can be silenced externally, staff failing to complete critical ACCT documentation, and confusion regarding emergency 'Code Blue' protocols.
Overdue
Reggie John
Concerns: Poor communication and lack of written records between prisons compromised a high-risk prisoner's care. Failures included inadequate review processes and a nurse not accessing or updating crucial risk documents.
Response (Worcestershire Health Care NHS): The trust reiterated expectations regarding ACCT documents for prisoners arriving at HMP Hewell, and reviewed Prison Service Instruction 64/2011 to identify and address areas of non-compliance.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Bristol introduced a system to contact receiving establishments about prisoners on open ACCTs, and HMP Hewell issued a notice reminding staff to report information indicating a change in a …
Overdue
Damion Anthony Andre Martin
Concerns: Inadequate prison risk assessment failed to identify a key suicide risk factor, first responders lacked CPR refresher training, and cell observation was compromised by restricted views and missed checks.
Overdue
Billy Paul Thomas Salton
Concerns: GMP policy of not staffing the Prisoner Processing Unit overnight leads to unnecessary and prolonged custody times for individuals awaiting interview.
Response (Medacs): Medacs Healthcare has implemented measures to ensure staff are aware of and have access to Medacs policies and procedures. They are also reviewing the electronic MedacsFME system to include screening …
Response (Greater Manchester Police): Greater Manchester Police acknowledge delays in processing detainees due to staffing limitations. They are currently reviewing roles in custody and looking for a system that matches or improves coverage of …
Overdue
Kirk Duboise
Concerns: There was a delay in summoning an ambulance and an inadequate self-harm risk assessment for a new prisoner, as essential forms were not reviewed during the reception process.
Response (Care UK): Care UK has implemented protocols for summoning ambulances, disseminated to staff via a Governor's notice and staff briefings. NOMS has implemented ACCT training, with further training for healthcare staff commencing …
Overdue
Lee Curran
Concerns: PPO recommendations for high cholesterol and loss of consciousness protocols were not fully implemented, with NICE guidelines ignored by doctors. Additionally, prison staff lacked training in accurate medical note-taking, leading to incorrect entries.
Overdue
Lee MacPherson
Concerns: Delayed police risk assessments and a lack of common understanding between escort and prison staff regarding critical handover documentation posed significant safety risks during transfers.
Overdue
Christopher Shapley
Concerns: Critical medical and self-harm risk information from police custody failed to transfer securely to the prison via the PER form, leading to inadequate assessment and observation of the prisoner.
Overdue
David O’Garro
Concerns: The report cites that a nurse did not complete a cell sharing risk assessment and staff lacked clarity and shared understanding regarding the assessment process for prisoners with epilepsy.
Overdue
Adam Williams
Concerns: Concerns raised regarding the need for improved emergency communication training for nursing staff and a more robust dynamic assessment process for prisoner restraint, with potential for further CCTV installation.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Featherstone now requires two healthcare staff to attend all health emergencies called over the radio. Duty Managers have received advice and guidance on emergency escorts, and this issue is …
Responded
Sean Brock
Concerns: A significant reduction in prison officer numbers at HMP Woodhill directly compromises prisoner safety and poses a risk to lives.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Woodhill staffing levels have been benchmarked and agreed upon, with ongoing local and national recruitment efforts to address vacancies. Information sharing between prison staff and contractors is a priority.
Responded
Stephen Farrar
Concerns: There was no formal risk assessment completed when Mr Farrar was first admitted to Woodhill Prison, despite risk factors; there is no formal risk assessment tool available in prisons.
Overdue
Yohannes Kidane
Concerns: Insufficient night staffing on prison healthcare wards compromised effective ACCT observations and overall prisoner care. Additionally, staff were not taking breaks, impacting their wellbeing and the quality of care provided.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): NOMS reviewed the night staffing level for HMP Birmingham and found it acceptable, noting G4S's deployment of a Prison Custody Officer. They state that the Night Orderly Officer arranges cover …
Response (Birmingham Solihull NHS): The Trust has liaised with Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust and G4S to address staffing concerns and is considering options for staff breaks, including administrative duty sharing. They are engaging the …
Responded
Satheeskumar Mahatheaven
Concerns: Failures in information sharing, multi-agency communication procedures, and inadequate training contributed to an accident within prison services.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Pentonville and HMP Thameside have implemented local policies to ensure appropriate information sharing and effective communication between prison staff and healthcare providers. Community GP records are now routinely requested …
Responded
Connor Smith
Concerns: An error in a PPO investigation listed an officer as attending a segregation review when they were absent, indicating poor investigation quality that could hinder learning from incidents.
Response (Prisons Probation Ombudsman): The PPO acknowledges a minor factual inaccuracy in their report, but argues it had no material bearing on the circumstances of the death and that they cannot take further action …
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Altcourse has issued a notice to all senior managers who chair Segregation Review Boards, advising them that the documentation for completion at the meeting must not have names entered …
Overdue
John Stabler
Concerns: The Prisoner Escort Record requires review and redesign. Furthermore, medical records systems need to be consistently available in reception and care areas within prisons.
Overdue
Jason Lawson
Concerns: Welfare checks failed to identify a deceased prisoner. Prison healthcare lacked a computer-driven system to track missed and lapsed prescriptions, and there was no policy for constant medical supervision for high-risk prisoners.
Overdue
James Colton
Concerns: Prison healthcare staff failed to correctly diagnose and treat Mr Colton, missing his developing cancer due to not revisiting the initial diagnosis. There was also inadequate pain management, poor continuity of care, and communication failures.
Response (Worcestershire Health Care NHS): The trust held study sessions reviewing the case notes of Mr. Colton, increased the consultant psychiatrist's sessions at HMP Long Lartin, appointed a clinical director for offender healthcare, and formalised …
Overdue
Darren Wright
Concerns: Emergency response was hindered by a staff nurse's inability to locate the incident and a lack of recent CPR training among prison officers due to resource limitations.
Response (Serco): Serco states that they were the healthcare provider at HMP Norwich at the time of the death but no longer provide any services there and thus cannot implement the recommendations. …
Response (Ministry of Justice): HMP Norwich acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding CPR training, outlines the current legislation and risk assessment process for first aid needs, and states that there is no requirement to provide …
Response (Virgin Care Services Limited): Virgin Care, the current healthcare provider at HMP Norwich, has instituted changes to its procedures, including a local induction process and checklist, and guidance for resuscitation in a joint protocol …
Responded
Blaise Farry
Concerns: Insufficient staffing levels at HMP Wormwood Scrubs prevent the implementation of a nominated Officer scheme, despite prior recommendations, impacting prisoner welfare and safety.
Overdue
David Hallett
Concerns: HMP Rye Hill's healthcare was inadequately resourced and unprepared for its re-roll to house sex offenders, resulting in substandard patient care. This raises concerns about similar risks in future national prison re-rolls.
Overdue
Douglas Birch
Concerns: Prison officers were either unaware of or failed to follow instructions requiring them to elicit a response from prisoners upon cell unlocking. They also did not consistently receive or read crucial Prison Service Orders.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Swaleside issued a notice to staff on 10 August 2015 setting out local procedure for welfare checks and requiring staff to sign to confirm checks have taken place. NOMS …
Responded
Samuel Gale
Concerns: A prisoner's ACCT plan was closed without consulting crucial healthcare and management staff, suggesting a critical lapse in multi-disciplinary oversight for vulnerable individuals.
Response (Serco): Policy changes have been made so that only a manager grade can close an ACCT, and ACCTs cannot be closed unless the case review comprises at least two people and …
Response (NHS England): NHS England is reviewing templates for first night screening and risk assessment as part of the deployment of a new Health & Justice Information System, with rollout expected from July …
Responded
Carl Foot
Concerns: Delayed prison cell bell responses, lack of a system to track bell activation times, and inadequate post-incident review contributed to a prisoner's death.
Overdue
Dean Boland
Concerns: Pervasive drug issues in the prison are exacerbated by a lack of officer awareness, poor multi-disciplinary communication, and insufficient drug administration checks. Inadequate cell searches, lack of overnight monitoring, and poor external security measures allow widespread drug use and concealment.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): Detox unit staff completed training on supervising opiate substitution medication, and awareness training is scheduled for completion in January 2016. Monthly strategy meetings are held to discuss drug misuse, and …
Overdue
Derek Thomas
Concerns: Prison reception procedures failed under extreme pressure, leading to suicide risk information being overlooked due to staffing issues. Additionally, there was poor communication and conflicting understanding between prison and escort staff regarding critical safety form procedures.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): The prison has implemented mandatory verbal handover of SASH form information from reception staff to healthcare staff. All staff working in reception must complete an online training course, managed by …
Response (HMP Durham): Nursing staff have been instructed to review all documents when completing reception screening, and staff have been reminded of the importance of ensuring all paperwork accompanies an individual. All initial …
Response (Care UK): Care UK is no longer the healthcare provider at HMP Durham. It will forward the concerns to heads of healthcare at other facilities where it interacts with GEO Amey and …
Response (GEOAMEY): GEOAmey provided refresher training to over 90% of their officers regarding the completion of Prisoner Escort Records (PER) and Self Harm and Suicide Warning Forms (SASH Forms), following concerns raised …
Overdue
Ronnie Olliffe
Concerns: There was a failure to issue a Code Blue appropriately, a lack of understanding about its emergency consequences, and a failure to use an available defibrillator.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): Following a failure to issue a Code Blue, all night staff at HMP&YOI Rochester were issued copies of PSI 03/2013 and signed to confirm understanding. A Notice to Staff was …
Responded
Sheldon Woodford
Concerns: Key safety documents (SASH) are not universally identifiable during reception, and officers receive insufficient training in ACCT processes for managing at-risk individuals.
Overdue
Samuel Blair
Concerns: Prison healthcare failed to adequately assess mental health, record vital information, or continue prescribed antidepressants. Delays in emergency response included slow 999 information, a nurse failing to acknowledge radio calls, and not immediately bringing a defibrillator.
Response (London Ambulance Service NHS Trust): The London Ambulance Service updated its Computerised Gazetteer to include multiple entrances to HMP Pentonville, and included specific reference to HMP Pentonville in refresher training for EOC staff, requiring confirmation …
Response (Care Uk): Care UK refers to the response provided by BEH-MHT for some concerns, and states they will collaborate with them to ensure their action plan is implemented. They have implemented a …
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): NOMS states that the local risk assessment at Pentonville is up to date, and there is a sufficient number of staff trained in first aid. Prison control room staff have …
Overdue
Kevin Dermott
Concerns: While at HMP Durham, the deceased was left in a urine soaked cell during a hypomanic episode and a psychiatric referral was never completed; inadequate mental health cover at HMP Haverigg and a lack of suitable psychiatric care facilities at HMP Kirkham contributed to a failure to recognise relapse into depression at HMP Risley.
Response (NHS England): NHS England is working with other organisations to address the lack of secure psychiatric beds. Updated guidelines for transferring prisoners to secure mental health hospitals are due for final consultation …
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Risley has increased the level and depth of management checks on ACCT documents, will issue a Governor's Order clarifying staff responsibilities, and has informed staff to contact the Safer …
Response (Department of Health): The Department of Health acknowledges the concerns, highlights its commitment to working with NOMS and NHS England, and notes that NHS England and NOMS will be responding separately.
Responded
Liam Lambert
Concerns: ACCT documents were incomplete, not properly utilized, and closed prematurely. Resourcing issues compromised officers' ability to ensure prisoner safety, especially for vulnerable young men.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): Following the death, a Safer Custody toolkit was introduced, and staff were reminded of ACCT document completion and prisoner supervision. Additional funding was received for security measures and partnership working. …
Overdue
Haydn Burton
Concerns: Prison staff failed to implement ACCT plans effectively and observations were inadequate. Confidentiality rules for Listeners were unclear regarding active suicide plans, and the NOMIS database inadequately records past ACCT information.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMP Winchester is providing local ACCT refresher training and Safety Awareness training, including lessons learned from previous deaths in custody. Wing Supervising Officers are informed of ACCT post closure reviews, …
Overdue
Michelle Barnes
Concerns: Prison officers failed to initiate an ACCT process for a highly distressed prisoner, opting for a vague "offer support" note without a clear action plan, despite significant emotional risk.
Overdue
Tedros Kahssay
Concerns: Inadequate information transfer to prison healthcare, flawed nurse reception screening lacking objective analysis, and emergency response staff having insufficient understanding of medical emergency protocols.
Response (Care UK): Care UK has changed the reception screening template to include mandatory PER review, seeks consent for GP records during screening, and reinforced Code Red/Blue training with staff and displayed posters. …
Overdue
Andrew Machin
Concerns: Limited support was provided to a prison employee during a prolonged disciplinary process, and no internal investigation was conducted into the dismissal circumstances following his death.
Overdue
Mark Lilliott
Concerns: Delays in accessing a radio-equipped senior officer for emergency assistance within the prison, exacerbated by noise on the wing, could critically impede swift responses in future emergencies.
Overdue
Calam Atour
Concerns: Chronic understaffing in the prison system compromises officer safety and prisoner welfare. The method for determining staffing levels also fails to account for the specific risks posed by the inmate population type.
Overdue
Wayne Cornlouer
Concerns: An emergency coding system for medical emergencies was not initially in Night Orders, raising concerns if all staff are now aware of its recent inclusion and proper use.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): A notice to staff was re-issued on 28 September 2016 reminding staff about emergency codes and ambulance requests; the local emergency code protocol has been distributed and displayed. The induction …
Responded
Roy Hoey
Concerns: Concerns arose from staff confusion regarding the interpretation and application of safer custody guidance, specifically when to open an ACCT plan, requiring clarification on mandatory assessment before initiation.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): NOMS acknowledges potential confusion regarding ACCT guidance and will resolve this in the revision of PSI 64/2011, due for completion by the end of April 2017; the revised version will …
Responded
Arthur Morley
Concerns: The report indicated concerns but did not provide specific details on what matters gave rise to them, making it impossible to identify key safety issues.
Overdue
Vilhelmas Borkertas
Concerns: A bisexual prisoner was improperly celled with a homophobic cellmate despite clear risk assessment information, raising concerns about placing inmates with conflicting profiles.
Overdue
Edwin O’Donnell
Concerns: Prison health reception screening failed due to lack of access to critical mental wellbeing documents and significant delays in follow-up screening. Additionally, probation staff lacked adequate ACCT training.
Response (HM Prison Probation Service): The Senior Officer in reception now provides a copy of the Person Escort Record (PER) to healthcare staff and reception staff have been made aware of this process. The individual …
Responded
Stephen Shaylor
Concerns: Prison healthcare for detox inmates was "not fit for purpose" due to insufficient stabilisation places and inadequate night welfare checks. Intermittent observations are insufficient to detect self-harm, requiring continuous monitoring.
Response (Care UK): Care UK clarified that night welfare checks are conducted by HCAs, with a nurse available for assistance, and that the nurse from the Integrated Substance Misuse Service reviews the welfare …
Overdue
Robert Richards
Concerns: HMP Wandsworth suffered from pervasive bullying due to inadequate staff, poor communication, insufficient training, and inappropriate cell allocation. Critical issues also included inadequate medical training and supply restocking.
Overdue
John Chapman
Concerns: A critical lack of formal procedures for sharing prisoner self-harm and welfare alerts between prison reception staff and healthcare nurses during medical screenings created a risk of significant alerts being missed.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): All reception staff at HMP Preston have been given a copy of PSI 07/2015 and made it an objective to read and comply; revised suicide and self-harm prevention training is …
Response: The prison and healthcare services have agreed that PER forms will be passed to the reception nurse as a matter of routine, who must then document within the SystemOne record …
Responded
John O’Meara
Concerns: Prison officers inconsistently followed Code Blue/Red procedures, delaying emergency response and Naloxone administration due to inadequate training. There's also an insufficient number of passive drug detection dogs to control Novel Psychoactive Substances.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): Regular notices to staff are published, signs are displayed in all offices and information about emergency response procedures is included in the induction for all new staff; notices have been …
Responded
Emily Hartley
Concerns: Prison was not the appropriate environment for someone with the deceased's mental health problems, and there is a need for secure, therapeutic environments for prisoners with similar mental health needs.
Response (HM Prisons and Probation Service): The Government is developing a strategy to improve outcomes for women in the community and in custody. A project is piloting to work with women who are prolific self-harers and …
Overdue
Committee Recommendations (81) — showing 50 strongest matches
#12 —
Recommendation: In July 2021, the Department estimated that its court recovery plan and the increase in police officers would result in a shortfall of 4,000 prison places by the end of 2023, over and above the 18,000 additional prison places that …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government is committed to building as many prison places as are needed and is currently undertaking the largest prison build programme in a …
Accepted
#17 — Backlog directly correlates with remand population, increasing prison pressures and leading to 'time served' releases.
Recommendation: MoJ told us that there is a direct correlation between the number of cases in the backlog and the size of the remand population awaiting trial, and that this is adding to prison capacity pressures and making it harder to …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2025 4.2 Judges are responsible for listing, and remand cases are being prioritised by judges in line with legislative requirements. The government is …
Not Addressed
#15 — Remand population has surged to a 50-year high, with many exceeding custody time limits.
Recommendation: The remand population has grown sharply in recent years. The number of people on remand in September 2024 was 17,600, 20% of the prison population, the highest level in 50 years, up from 9,602 (11% of the prison population) in …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2025 4.2 Judges are responsible for listing, and remand cases are being prioritised by judges in line with legislative requirements. The government is …
Partially Accepted
#4 — Urgently reduce remand numbers to 2019 levels and publish granular remand population data.
Recommendation: The remand population is at its highest number for 50 years, and the length of time some defendants on remand wait for their cases to be heard is disrupting their lives and their families’ lives, and adding to prison overcrowding. …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. population. While the listing of cases is a matter for the independent judiciary, custody time limits mean that there is a statutory obligation to prioritise the hearing of …
Accepted
#27 — Prison capacity crisis significantly strains probation services, exacerbating staffing shortages and rising demand
Recommendation: MoJ and HMPPS told us that the impact of the prison capacity crisis on probation is “significant” and “rising” with pressures likely to increase further if Ministers make decisions to decrease the prison population.88 In September 2024, HMPPS had 5,413 …
Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: The department will update the Committee two months after the Independent Sentence Review publishes its final report. 6.2 Following the publication of the Government …
Not Addressed
#26 — MoJ projects continued prison crowding, impacting resettlement activity and rehabilitation outcomes
Recommendation: According to MoJ’s most recent estimate, reoffending in England and Wales costs society approximately £18 billion a year (2017–2018 prices).84 Given MoJ’s and HMPPS’s acknowledgement that crowding impacts prison regimes and can reduce access to purposeful activity and harm rehabilitation, …
Gov response: 5.11 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 5.12 Action is underway to improve delivery through the national regime model. This annual cycle mandates prisons to set out their planned delivery, …
Accepted
#25 — Operating prisons at full capacity negatively impacts regimes, prisoners, and victims of crime
Recommendation: We asked MoJ what it had done to understand the impact of the crisis on prisoners and prisoner outcomes.82 MoJ said that the fact it had managed to continue running such a full estate was a testament to the huge …
Gov response: 5.11 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 5.12 Action is underway to improve delivery through the national regime model. This annual cycle mandates prisons to set out their planned delivery, …
Accepted
#24 — Overcrowding negatively impacts prison education and pre-release services, hindering reintegration efforts
Recommendation: We also received evidence on how the crisis has impacted education and pre–release services. For example, the Prisoners’ Education Trust told us that overcrowding means education departments in prisons are unlikely to have the capacity needed, and prisoners are more …
Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: The department will update the Committee two months after the Independent Sentence Review publishes its final report. 6.2 Following the publication of the Government …
Not Addressed
#23 — Crowding and capacity pressures severely impact prisoner health and drug treatment in prisons
Recommendation: Several stakeholders provided written evidence on how crowding and capacity pressures are impacting health and drug treatment in prisons.78 For example, HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) noted that the strain at some reception prisons are under means that prisoners do …
Gov response: 5.11 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 5.12 Action is underway to improve delivery through the national regime model. This annual cycle mandates prisons to set out their planned delivery, …
Accepted
#22 — HMPPS maintains safety 'red lines' during overcrowding, acknowledging continued challenges
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: 5.6 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 5.7 HMPPS recognises the challenges that capacity pressures have on providing a safe environment and can make it harder to effectively manage prisons. …
Accepted
#21 — Severe overcrowding in adult male prisons increases violence and reduces prisoner wellbeing
Recommendation: The adult male estate was operating at 98.0% to 99.7% occupancy between October 2022 and August 2024, with many prisons severely overcrowded.71 HMPPS confirmed that around a quarter (23.6%) of prisoners are sharing cells designed for one person, often with …
Gov response: 5.6 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 5.7 HMPPS recognises the challenges that capacity pressures have on providing a safe environment and can make it harder to effectively manage prisons. …
Accepted
#20 — Ninety-nine percent prison occupancy creates significant inefficiencies across the justice system
Recommendation: HMPPS told us that operating at 99% occupancy creates inefficiencies in the estate and wider justice system. For example, it explained that prisoners often arrive in the wrong part of the estate or wrong part of the country. This means …
Gov response: 5.6 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 5.7 HMPPS recognises the challenges that capacity pressures have on providing a safe environment and can make it harder to effectively manage prisons. …
Accepted
#14 — Ministry of Justice relies on independent sentencing review to manage future prison capacity
Recommendation: MoJ confirmed that it is relying on the Government’s response to the sentencing review to help it manage the expected gap between capacity and demand.46 Given its forecasts suggest it could run out of places again in early 2026, we …
Gov response: 3.3 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: The department will update the Committee two months after the Independent Sentence Review publishes its final report. 3.4 HMPPS will provide an update within …
Not Addressed
#13 — Ministry of Justice projects significant prison capacity shortfall by early 2026
Recommendation: According to its December 2024 statement on prison capacity, in its central forecast MoJ will run out of capacity again by early 2026 and will be 5,400 places short by November 2027.40 This is lower than the 12,400 places shortfall …
Gov response: 3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 HMPPS acknowledges the importance of addressing the prison estate maintenance backlog and remains committed to undertaking the necessary work to ensure compliance with fire safety standards, …
Not Addressed
#6 — Submit plan to improve rehabilitation, increase probation capacity, and reduce reoffending rates.
Recommendation: MoJ’s and HMPPS’s main focus has been on managing the capacity crisis rather than rehabilitating offenders to reduce reoffending. In 2020, the previous Public Accounts Committee reported that HMPPS was operating hand to mouth by reacting to immediate crises. This …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. after the Independent Sentence Review publishes its final report. Following the publication of the Government response to the Independent Sentencing Review, the MoJ will provide an update to …
Accepted
#5 — Set out evaluation of prison capacity pressures on safety, violence, and access to services.
Recommendation: The prison capacity crisis risks undermining the safety and security of prisons and reduces HMPPS’s ability to rehabilitate offenders. Due to MoJ’s and HMPPS’s failure to deliver additional prison capacity, the adult male prison estate was operating at 98.0% to …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. cycle mandates prisons to set out their planned delivery, against the agreed national priorities which for 2025-26 specifically asks prisons to focus on increasing the quantity and quality …
Accepted
#4 — Set out methodology to estimate Criminal Justice System costs due to prison capacity pressures.
Recommendation: The prison capacity crisis has led to decisions and inefficiencies which represent poor value for money. Maintaining and making best use of the existing prison estate represents better value than building new places. However, capacity constraints mean that MoJ and …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented As the Committee notes, there have been acute issues in responding to prison capacity which have also led to additional costs in the Criminal Justice System, …
Accepted
#3 — Produce business case to rapidly address prison estate maintenance backlog and re-tender contracts.
Recommendation: Despite releasing thousands of prisoners early, MoJ forecasts it will run out of capacity again in early 2026. According to its central prison population forecast, MoJ will run out of places again in 2026, and be short of 5,400 prison …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. after the Independent Sentence Review publishes its final report. HMPPS will provide an update within two months of the publication of the next phase of the Sentencing Review …
Accepted
#21 — HMPPS aims to close 3,150 probation staff shortfall through 25% capacity freeing measures.
Recommendation: In July 2025, HMPPS estimated that there would be a shortfall of 3,150 full- time equivalent probation staff in 2026–27, out of approximately 15,000 full-time equivalent sentence management staff required, even after its recruitment and prioritisation measures.44 Through its OFPS …
Gov response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 5.2 HMPPS concluded its full review of all frontline probation work in March 2026, providing a baseline of workloads and an understanding of the workforce …
Accepted
#19 — Our Future Probation Service' programme faces concerns about further disruption and staff pressure.
Recommendation: Crest Advisory and the Rehabilitating Probation Project Team also highlighted concerns that the programme will cause further disruption to the service, exacerbating pressures on already over-stretched staff.39 HMPPS told us that it was conscious that the service had been through …
Gov response: 4.4 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.5 MoJ and HMPPS adhere to cross-government standards relating to risk management and digital delivery. 4.6 The established governance arrangements for OFPS ensures that the …
Response Pending
#17 — Our Future Probation Service' programme aims to address staff shortfalls with a high-risk approach.
Recommendation: MoJ told us that HMPPS’s ‘Our Future Probation Service’ programme is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to address the root causes of the problems faced by the Probation Service, including shortfalls in staff.33 The programme will introduce new digital tools - over …
Gov response: 3. PAC conclusion: Longstanding staff shortages have left probation staff dealing with excessive and unmanageable workloads. 3a. PAC recommendation: HMPPS should, in its Treasury Minute response, set out: • when and how it expects to …
Accepted
#16 — Probation Service faces persistent high staff turnover and sickness rates due to mental ill health.
Recommendation: MoJ and HMPPS stated that they were focussing on improving staff retention as well as recruiting more staff. In the year ending March 2025, the leaving rate for probation staff was 9.3%, up from 6.2% in 2021, and sickness rate …
Gov response: 3. PAC conclusion: Longstanding staff shortages have left probation staff dealing with excessive and unmanageable workloads. 3a. PAC recommendation: HMPPS should, in its Treasury Minute response, set out: • when and how it expects to …
Accepted
#15 — Probation staff face immense pressure from constant policy changes and high workloads.
Recommendation: In addition to high caseloads, staff have also had to deal with a high level of change. In 2023–24, HMPPS estimated there were around 100 new national proposals to change probation processes—84% of which were business- as-usual changes, such as …
Gov response: 3.4 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.5 HMPPS recognises the significant volume of change that staff in probation face. OFPS implementation plans are being developed to sequence carefully when changes are …
Accepted
#14 — Persistent staff shortages create unsustainable workloads for probation officers across all regions.
Recommendation: Persistent staff shortages mean that probation staff have been working at a level that is unsustainable for years.26 At March 2025, there were 5,636 full-time equivalent probation officers in post, 79% of HMPPS’s target staffing level - a shortfall of …
Gov response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 HMPPS is committed to addressing the high workloads faced by probation staff. The “Our Future Probation Service Programme (OFPS)” was launched with the primary …
Accepted
#9 — Probation officer workloads remain excessively high despite prioritisation measures and new programmes.
Recommendation: HMPPS first introduced a prioritisation framework to help reduce staff workloads in 2022. But workloads remained high, in particular for probation officers, who were working at around 118% capacity on average, with highs of 126% in some regions including London …
Gov response: 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 1.2 The government expects the Probation Service to demonstrate measurable and sustained improvements in performance over the current spending review period, concluding in March 2029. …
Response Pending
#8 — Workforce shortages and high staff turnover remain key reasons for poor Probation Service performance.
Recommendation: We pressed MoJ on why performance had worsened over the last few years. MoJ explained that workforce shortages, which it inherited upon unification, exacerbated by high staff turnover, were the main reason for poor performance.10 Written evidence from the Rehabilitating …
Gov response: 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 1.2 The government expects the Probation Service to demonstrate measurable and sustained improvements in performance over the current spending review period, concluding in March 2029. …
Response Pending
#5 — Set out plans to manage staffing shortfalls, staff training, and workload reduction contingencies.
Recommendation: We are not satisfied that HMPPS’s new programme will free up sufficient capacity to improve performance. HMPPS aims to close the current shortfall of 3,150 probation staff by March 2027, by freeing up operational capacity by 25% through its ‘Our …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. monitored through fortnightly ministerial meetings, OFPS and HMPPS governance arrangements. If a gap becomes apparent, then further work will go into alternative options to close that gap and …
Accepted
#3 — Set out when staff workloads will reduce and how to manage future changes.
Recommendation: Longstanding staff shortages have left probation staff dealing with excessive and unmanageable workloads. At March 2025, there were 5,636 full-time equivalent probation officers in post, 79% of target staffing. According to HMPPS’s data, probation officers have been working on average …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented HMPPS recognises the significant volume of change that staff in probation face. OFPS implementation plans are being developed to sequence carefully when changes are introduced to …
Accepted
#169 — High prison population and overcrowding exacerbate drug demand by limiting purposeful activity and support.
Recommendation: The high prison population and overcrowding lead to a lack of purposeful activity and poor mental health support which exacerbate the existing drivers of drug demand. Efforts to reduce demand are therefore made more challenging and complex. This undermines any …
Gov response: Safety within our prisons remains a key priority and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of protection to prevent staff exposure to drugs. To ensure this, we have a National Risk Assessment and …
Accepted
#42 — Access to vital prison library services increasingly constrained, risking loss of provision
Recommendation: Prison libraries play a vital role in supporting rehabilitation by providing an alternative educational space for prisoners that fosters literacy and reading. However, access to these services is increasingly constrained by issues across the estate, and an unsustainable commissioning model. …
Gov response: Partially Accept 88. The national prison education budget has not been cut. However, the cost of delivering high-quality education has increased significantly in recent years. Although the budget has slightly increased in cash terms, it …
Not Addressed
#41 — Prioritise education in youth custody action plan and address operational delivery barriers
Recommendation: The current conditions in youth custody settings are deplorable, and it is shameful that access to education for children has deteriorated as part of this wider decline. As part of an action plan for youth custody, as recommended in paragraph …
Gov response: Accept. The YCS recognises these failings and is addressing them through the Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education outlined in paragraph 76-77. Many children and young people in custody have a disrupted education before coming …
Accepted
#24 — Require Ministry of Justice to detail action to reduce adult custodial remand use
Recommendation: Custodial remand must only be used for those that present the greatest level of risk to the public. The Ministry of Justice must respond to this report with what further action it will be taking to reduce the use of …
Gov response: 118. The Government is committed to ensuring that people in prison have access to an equivalent standard, range and quality of health care in prisons to that available in the wider community. This is reflected …
Accepted
#6 — Produce a comprehensive 15-year public workforce plan with targets to reduce prison staff vacancies.
Recommendation: The Government must produce a comprehensive, public workforce plan for the prison system (including the women’s and children’s estate) for the next fifteen years, modelled on the process used for the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, with commencement of that …
Gov response: 19. The Government acknowledges the recommendation for prison Governors to have greater involvement in the recruitment of staff who work in their prison and in particular face-to-face interviewing. Work is ongoing to design an approach …
Partially Accepted
#5 — Publish comprehensive quarterly data on prison staff vacancies, retirements, and skilled worker visas.
Recommendation: HMPPS must be transparent on its workforce data. Data must be captured and published on the vacancy rate for each prison staff role, how many of those roles have staff that are eligible to retire in the next five years, …
Gov response: 17. The Government accepts the recommendation to publish a comprehensive workforce plan—and this will build on the existing workforce planning in place. However, the format and timing for this publication will be determined in the …
Partially Accepted
#2 — Include measures to ensure rehabilitation is not compromised in the next prison capacity statement
Recommendation: In the next annual statement on prison capacity, the Government should set out not only how it intends to manage the demand and supply of prison places, but also the steps it will take to ensure that rehabilitation is not …
Gov response: 4. HMPPS is dedicated to making sure staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their jobs effectively and partially accepts this recommendation. Though there will be instances where staff are temporarily promoted to …
Partially Accepted
#1 — Prison overcrowding and staff vacancies severely undermine the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation
Recommendation: We recognise the Government’s efforts to increase transparency around prison capacity, and its action towards ending the capacity crisis. However, the evidence we received demonstrates that the current level of overcrowding, in combination with a high number of staff vacancies, …
Gov response: 1. The purpose of the Annual Statement on Prison Capacity is to fulfil the Government’s commitment to improve transparency and accountability on prison population forecasts and capacity planning and to ensure that decisions on prison …
Not Accepted
#5 —
Recommendation: High staff turnover experienced at Rainsbrook, has, without a doubt, contributed to the significant failings at the centre. Youth custodial institutions are vastly different to the adult estate, and require staff who have an understanding and experience of the environment …
No Published Response
#14 —
Recommendation: We have reported previously on matters concerning the expansion and maintenance of the prison system. For example, in September 2020 we found that the Department had delivered just 206 new prison places, against a commitment of 10,000 new-for-old places by …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government is committed to building as many prison places as are needed and is currently undertaking the largest prison build programme in a …
Accepted
#11 —
Recommendation: The Department expects that the demand for prison places will increase significantly. Its plans to increase the number of days that the Crown Court hears cases, and the resultant reduction in the backlog, will likely mean more people being convicted …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government is committed to building as many prison places as are needed and is currently undertaking the largest prison build programme in a …
Accepted
#4 —
Recommendation: We remain unconvinced that the prison system will cope with the likely increase in prisoners given the planned increase in police officers and the Department’s work to reduce the backlog in criminal courts. In October 2019 the government announced it …
Gov response: 5. PAC conclusion: Waiting times for elective and cancer treatment are too dependent on where people live and there is no national plan to address this postcode lottery.
Under Consideration
#24 — Prison estate under exceptional pressure, with significant population increases projected by 2027.
Recommendation: MoJ told us several times that the prison estate is under “exceptional” pressure to meet current demands on capacity.60 At the end of March 2023, the prison population was at around 99% (84,400) of safe capacity (85,500).61 While projections are …
Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: May 2024 6.2 The MoJ will respond to the Committee by the six-month deadline, setting out the projections for its prison population, bringing six …
Accepted
#6 — Provide latest 5-10 year projections for prison population, capacity, new prisons and resettlement.
Recommendation: Unprecedented pressures on the prison estate threaten the quality of resettlement services today and in the future. The prison estate is under “exceptional” pressure to meet current demands on capacity. At the end of March 2023, the prison population was …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. projections for its prison population, bringing six new prisons online, and the level of demand for resettlement services. In addition, the department will be publishing a new annual …
Accepted
#15 —
Recommendation: We welcome the recent announcement that officers working in youth custody will become Youth Justice Specialists after completing degree-level training, but we remain concerned about staff turnover in the youth estate, and the effect that staffing difficulties have on day-to-day …
Gov response: Since introducing the youth justice specialist role, we have provided funding for every prison officer in the youth secure estate, both public and private, to take up a degree level qualification in youth justice. As …
Under Consideration
#14 —
Recommendation: We welcome the Government’s commitment to reform the rest of the estate, but we are concerned that the youth estate in its current form is not meeting the needs of the children being held. We have heard about high levels …
Gov response: The Government remains committed to reforming the youth secure estate following the Taylor Review in 2016 and recognises the importance of having a secure estate that is fit for purpose. We have made good progress …
Under Consideration
#14 —
Recommendation: The 2020 spending review included £4 billion in capital funding to support the provision of 18,000 new prison places over four years. But beyond this isolated multi-year commitment, the one-year spending review settlement makes it difficult for the Ministry and …
Gov response: 5.2 The department closely monitors prison population forecasts to ensure the prison estate has sufficient capacity to meet future demand, and regularly works with our partners across the criminal justice system (CJS), including the Home …
Not Addressed
#6 —
Recommendation: Despite the efforts of staff during the pandemic, there are clear signs of strain on people working across courts and tribunals, prisons and probation services. We remain concerned about the unprecedented pressures facing frontline staff at this time. HMPPS says …
Gov response: 2021. This is the Government’s response to the Committee’s report. Relevant reports • NAO report: management of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund – Session 2019-21 (HC 1130) • PAC report: Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund – …
Under Consideration
#5 —
Recommendation: We remain concerned that the maintenance backlog poses a real threat to achieving a safe and secure prison estate able to accommodate future prison populations. The latest spending review settlement included a welcome boost of £4 billion in capital spending …
Gov response: 5: PAC conclusion: We remain concerned that the maintenance backlog poses a real threat to achieving a safe and secure prison estate able to accommodate future prison populations. 5: PAC recommendation: As part of setting …
Not Addressed
#2 —
Recommendation: We recognise that all prisons and other custodial institutions face additional pressures during the current covid-19 pandemic, but we do not consider those to be justification or excuse for the continued poor conditions at Rainsbrook and the repeated absence of …
No Published Response
#10 —
Recommendation: Following a long-term decline in children in custody, the Ministry and HMPPS anticipate the number of children in custody to more than double from 2021 levels by September 2024. They expect children aged 15 to 17 in young offender institutions …
Gov response: 3.2 The youth custody population (including 18-year-olds in the youth estate) fell substantially from 3,208 in 2007-08 to 855 in 2019-20, driven by changes in police targets and a movement away from imposing custodial sentences …
Not Addressed
#1 —
Recommendation: On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Audit General, we took evidence from the Ministry for Justice (the Ministry) and Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) about current youth custody provision in England and Wales, as …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented The Youth Custody Service (YCS) records protected characteristic information to provide a detailed understanding of the children in its care. YCS has a Diversity and Inequality …
Accepted
PPO Death in Custody Recommendations (18)
Governors of prisons with MCBS units
Governors should ensure that association and exercise groups in MCBS units are regularly risk assessed.
Governors of prisons with MCBS units
Governors should ensure that managers and staff in MCBS units: are aware that certain personality traits and behaviours may make individual prisoners more vulnerable to assault; are aware of potential conflicts between individuals; and record, monitor and manage such issues …
The Governor
The Governor should review the numbers of night orderly staff and consider stationing one or more assist night orderlies at the further end of the prison to minimise delays in entering cells at night.
The Director General of Prisons
The Director General of Prisons should urgently consider what additional support can be put in place to address staffing shortages at The Mount and consider, as a matter of urgency, how it can reasonably be expected to deliver an effective …
Regional Probation Director
We draw the Regional Probation Director’s attention to this issue to ensure that the service provision is adequately resourced.
The Director of HMP Lowdham Grange
The Director might wish to consider how key-workers structure meetings with prisoners to focus on specific areas of concern.
The Governor and Head of Healthcare at HMP Woodhill
The Governor and Head of Healthcare at Woodhill must ensure that urgent healthcare appointments are not delayed.
Governors of prisons with MCBS units
Governors should ensure that: there is an effective security and searching strategy in place in MCBS units, which reflects the specific risks of the prisoners housed there; prisoners and cells are searched thoroughly and in line with the local policy; …
Governors of prisons with MCBS units
Governors should ensure that safe and appropriate practices are always followed in the supply of razors to prisoners in MCBS units.
The Governor of HMP The Mount
The Governor should ensure that the key worker scheme provides meaningful and ongoing support to all prisoners in line with national policy.
The Governor
all prisoners receive regular wellbeing checks during the restricted pandemic regime, in line with the Exceptional Delivery Model and that these are recorded on NOMIS;
The Director of HMP Fosse Way
The Director should review whether: • Vulnerable prisoners feel safe enough to leave the wing to attend activities. • Staff have the confidence to challenge poor behaviour including bullying.
The Governor of HMP Berwyn
The Governor should ensure that: prisoners are not placed in cells that do not meet the minimum requirements, in accordance with PSI 17/2012.
The Director General of Prisons and MoJ People Group
The Director General of Prisons and MoJ People Group should consider what additional support can be put in place to address staffing shortages at Humber and consider how it can reasonably deliver a meaningful regime and deliver key work in …
The Governor at HMP Leyhill
The Governor at HMP Leyhill should ensure that if they return prisoners to closed conditions, they must provide a move-on plan and make determined, documented efforts to return the prisoner to the sending prison.
The Governor
The Governor should ensure that incidents of violence, bullying or intimidation are taken seriously, investigated, and dealt with in line with local and national policies, and victims are supported and protected.
The Governor
The Governor will wish to consider this.
HMPPS
ECSL is no longer in place, but HMPPS will also want to be aware of the issues raised by Mr Cosgrove’s death.
NAO Audit Recommendations (11)
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should improve its case for bolstering the resilience of the estate by evaluating: the costs involved with dealing with a capacity crisis, both in terms of resources and prisoner outcomes.
Partially accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
As part of the government?s mission-driven approach to tackling crime, MoJ, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Home Office and other government bodies should work together to review the coherence of the government?s policy objectives and the size of, and …
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
As part of the government?s mission-driven approach to tackling crime, MoJ, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Home Office and other government bodies should work together to review the coherence of the government?s policy objectives and the size of, and …
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
As part of the government?s mission-driven approach to tackling crime, MoJ, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Home Office and other government bodies should work together to review the coherence of the government?s policy objectives and the size of, and …
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
To provide greater transparency to the public and parliament, MoJ should commit to routinely publishing capacity projections alongside its demand projections. This should include outlining mechanisms for triggering contingencies to close capacity gaps, if higher-demand scenarios are realised.
Partially accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: set out contingency plans for any unexpected increases in …
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: set out how it will ensure it has the …
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: clarify which current expansion projects will be completed and …
Partially accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: include the rationale for its approach based on value …
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should improve its case for bolstering the resilience of the estate by evaluating: lessons learned from delivering the prison expansion portfolio; and
Accepted
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should improve its case for bolstering the resilience of the estate by evaluating: the cost-effectiveness of different options to alleviate capacity pressures, given the benefit of experience, and which ones are most suitable when;
Accepted
IMB Annual Reports (291) — showing 50 strongest matches
Brixton (2020)
This report for HMP Brixton (Sept 2019-Aug 2020) highlights continued improvements in safety, with reduced assaults and self-harm, and commends the compassionate management of Covid-19 lockdown. However, the Board raises significant concerns about the severely restrictive regime during lockdown, including the mental health impacts of prolonged cell confinement, the lack of in-cell education, and inadequate family contact. Persistent issues such as cell overcrowding, delays in D-cat transfers, and the need for an older prisoner strategy also remain key areas for development.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bullingdon (2021)
HMP Bullingdon faced significant challenges during the reporting year (July 2020 – June 2021), exacerbated by Covid-19 restrictions which led to extensive in-cell time and impacted various services. The Board noted chronic overcrowding, an increase in self-harm incidents, and persistent issues with staff experience levels and the provision of mental healthcare. Progression and resettlement efforts were hindered by a high turnover of prisoners, predominantly those on remand or serving short sentences, while the effectiveness of drug interception measures remains a concern.
PRISON
Key concerns
Chelmsford (2021)
HMP/YOI Chelmsford, a Category B local prison, faced significant challenges during a reporting year heavily impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to a restricted regime with limited purposeful activity and prolonged cell confinement. Key concerns included persistent overcrowding, a severe rat infestation, and substantial delays in handling prisoner complaints and property issues. The prison also struggled with staffing shortages, particularly affecting the key worker scheme and healthcare provision, alongside high self-harm rates and increased assaults on staff.
PRISON
Key concerns
Belmarsh (2022)
HMP Belmarsh experienced a challenging reporting year with improvements in health and wellbeing provision and a commitment to safety, though HMIP noted safety had deteriorated. The prison addressed equality and diversity issues through dedicated leadership and improved data, but concerns remain regarding disparities in outcomes for protected characteristics. Staffing issues, particularly high ‘non-effectives’ despite target numbers, curtailed regimes and impacted key worker compliance, while lost property and prolonged mental health transfer waits persisted as significant and repeated concerns.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bullingdon (2022)
HMP Bullingdon faced chronic overcrowding and significant staff shortages, which impacted safety, regime delivery, and staff-prisoner relationships throughout the reporting year. While healthcare provision was generally good and improvements were seen in some areas like equality data analysis and IT systems, challenges such as high violence, drug availability, and prisoner churn hindering progression persisted. The Board highlighted a continuing high number of self-harm incidents, though a recent decline was noted.
PRISON
Key concerns
Chelmsford (2022)
HMP Chelmsford, a category B local prison, showed mixed performance in the reporting year ending August 2022. While levels of violence and self-harm decreased, and there were no deaths in custody, significant concerns persist regarding overcrowding (49% of prisoners sharing single cells) and long-standing issues with lost prisoner property. Staff shortages heavily impacted healthcare appointments, purposeful activity, and key worker effectiveness, contributing to many prisoners spending extended periods locked in cells.
PRISON
Key concerns
Aylesbury (2022)
HMP/YOI Aylesbury faced a challenging year due to Covid-19 restrictions and severe staff shortages, which impacted the regime, purposeful activity, and staff-prisoner relationships. Despite these difficulties, the prison completed significant refurbishment projects and effectively contained Covid infections. Key concerns included persistent gang culture, high use of force, inadequate education and resettlement support, and issues with staffing levels and property management.
PRISON
Key concerns
Whitemoor (2023)
HMP Whitemoor, a high-security prison, operated at a reduced capacity of 315 due to electrical upgrades, against an operational capacity of 458. Staff shortages significantly impacted purposeful activity and time out of cell, contributing to prisoner frustration and perceived stagnation in progression. Key concerns include a notable number of staff assaults, issues with illicit drugs, long waits for dental care and secure mental health beds, and frozen prisoner pay against rising canteen prices. The Board highlighted the need for funding for basic estate improvements and a review of the Dispersal System's impact on progression.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wandsworth (2023)
HMP Wandsworth faced severe challenges in the reporting year, marked by chronic staff shortages leading to a limited and inconsistent regime. The prison recorded significant increases in assaults, self-harm, and ACCT cases, underscoring serious safety concerns exacerbated by easy access to contraband. Inhumane living conditions, including overcrowding, poor heating, and inadequate healthcare facilities (with a new centre remaining unopened), persisted, while vital services like library access and resettlement support were also hampered by understaffing.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wakefield (2023)
HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, is generally considered safe and humane, with observed improvements in healthcare provision. However, the Board noted a significant increase in prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and ongoing concerns regarding staffing experience levels, which impact prisoner safety and support quality. Delays in mental health transfers to secure hospitals remain a major issue, alongside an insufficient purposeful activity regime and challenges with prisoner property management.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wormwood Scrubs (2023)
HMP Wormwood Scrubs faced significant challenges during the reporting year, including overcrowding and acute staffing shortages, which adversely impacted safety, regime delivery, and healthcare provision. Many prisoners spent extended periods locked in their cells with limited purposeful activity. Concerns persist regarding mental health transfer delays, an antiquated estate unsuitable for disabled prisoners, and poor food quality, though positive efforts in induction, reading support, and some service improvements were noted.
PRISON
Key concerns
Belmarsh (2024)
HMP Belmarsh, a Category A local prison, faces significant challenges in providing purposeful activity and rehabilitation opportunities, particularly for HSU and sentenced prisoners, amid rising illicit item seizures and high violence levels. While healthcare provision has improved under a new provider, mental health support, transfers, and bed shortages remain problematic. The Board is concerned about overcrowding, prolonged segregation stays, and the indefinite detention of IPP prisoners, emphasizing the need for increased resources and improved regimes for vulnerable groups.
PRISON
Key concerns
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, and the restrictive nature of social video calls.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bedford (2024)
HMP Bedford, a Category B YOI, continues to face significant challenges including persistent overcrowding and an inconsistent induction process, despite some improvements in wing cleanliness and key worker implementation. The report highlights serious concerns regarding healthcare, characterized by poor communication and a decline in drug rehabilitation services. Security remains an issue with illicit items readily entering the prison, and high levels of assaults on staff, although recent improvements are noted. The Board also raises concerns about the unaddressed needs of its large remand population, the lack of digital infrastructure, and disproportionate adjudications.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bronzefield (2024)
Bronzefield faced significant challenges in the reporting year, primarily due to severe staff shortages impacting all aspects of the regime, leading to prisoners being locked up for extended periods and missing activities. Healthcare delivery was suboptimal due to lack of staff and poor coordination, resulting in medication delays and cancelled appointments. The prison also grappled with a high incidence of self-harm and challenges in managing complex, mentally unwell prisoners, compounded by external bed shortages.
PRISON
Key concerns
Chelmsford (2025)
HMP Chelmsford, a Category B local prison, reported three deaths in custody and a 4% reduction in self-harm incidents, though the total of 848 remains high. Operational capacity was 660, with 71% of the population being unsentenced, and overcrowding remains a significant concern, especially in the older Victorian wings. The prison saw a decrease in prisoner-on-staff violence but an increase in prisoner-on-prisoner violence and consistently high use of force incidents. Challenges persist with mental health provision due to a lack of specialist beds, property safeguarding, and staff conduct, while the Launchpad platform and improved dentistry services were positive developments.
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
Swansea (2025)
HMP Swansea operates as a Category B/C prison for men, generally maintaining a safe and stable environment despite an overcrowded Victorian estate and significant prisoner turnover. While healthcare access is timely and education has improved, key challenges include extensive waits for mental health transfers, persistent issues with property complaints, and inconsistent staff practices regarding key working and the use of Body Worn Video Cameras. The Board highlights the need for addressing overcrowding, enhancing support for vulnerable prisoners, and improving transparency in healthcare complaint handling.
PRISON
Key concerns
Hewell (2025)
HMP Hewell, a local Category B reception prison, continues to face significant challenges from overcrowding, high population churn, and court backlogs, despite dedicated efforts by staff. Positive developments include a reduction in self-harm, a proportionate approach to use of force, and impactful peer mentorship schemes, alongside strong commitment to equality. However, profound concerns persist regarding mental health provision, limited purposeful activity, the quality of regime and accommodation, and the high number of men released without secure housing, with several issues repeated from previous reports.
PRISON
Key concerns
Birmingham (2020)
HMP Birmingham has demonstrated significant improvements in safety, staff-prisoner relationships, and living conditions following an urgent notification in 2018. The Board commended the prison's effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw reduced violence and enhanced communication, though it also led to a severely restricted regime and mental health challenges. Key concerns include prolonged segregation for mentally unwell prisoners, persistent issues with lost property, and the need to sustain positive changes post-pandemic, particularly regarding staffing and purposeful activity.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bullingdon (2020)
HMP Bullingdon, a local and resettlement prison, experienced high overcrowding and staffing challenges, with a significant proportion of inexperienced officers. While physical health services were generally good and some educational outcomes improved, violence and drug finds remained high, and mental health provision, particularly counselling, was inadequate. The COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted the regime, leading to prolonged cell confinement, but the prison successfully prevented widespread infection. Persistent issues include inadequate reception facilities for vulnerable prisoners, property loss, and maintenance backlogs, while resettlement outcomes remain patchy.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bedford (2020)
Conditions at HMP/YOI Bedford generally improved over the reporting year, with commendations for the Governor's leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. While prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and self-harm incidents reduced, staff assaults and use of force remained worryingly high. Significant concerns persist regarding the ACCT process, the physical state of the segregation unit, and the high number of prisoners released without stable accommodation. Healthcare was satisfactory, but the mental health team's working practices require review, and issues with the Victorian estate infrastructure and the perceived unfairness of the IEP scheme need addressing.
PRISON
Key concerns
Lindholme (2021)
HMP Lindholme operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, leading to prolonged lockdowns, reduced regime, and limited purposeful activity, though self-harm and violence incidents decreased. While healthcare adapted well and staffing levels improved, concerns persist regarding high numbers of OCG prisoners, substance misuse, overcrowding, and delays in sentence progression. The IMB highlighted the negative impact of limited time out of cell and poor staff-prisoner relationships.
PRISON
Key concerns
Pentonville (2021)
During a reporting year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pentonville successfully avoided a widespread deadly outbreak through stringent measures, though two prisoners sadly died. However, the Board found that the highly restricted regime led to inhumane conditions, with prisoners confined to cells for extended periods, impacting mental health and resettlement progression. Key concerns remain around overcrowding, inadequate facilities, the safety of vulnerable prisoners, and persistent violence and drug issues, with limited progress on ACCT quality and disproportionality in disciplinary actions.
PRISON
Key concerns
Woodhill (2021)
HMP Woodhill faced a challenging year dominated by Covid-19 restrictions, which limited prisoner time out of cell to an average of 1.75 hours daily and curtailed visits and activities. Despite successfully preventing a Covid-19 outbreak among prisoners, the Board raised concerns about high levels of violence, a high proportion of inexperienced staff, and issues with long-term segregation and property management. There were also notable delays in mental health transfers and insufficient purposeful activity for progression.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wandsworth (2021)
HMP Wandsworth operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions for most of the year, leading to prisoners spending up to 23.5 hours a day in cramped cells. The prison remained highly overcrowded and faced significant safety challenges from violence and widespread drug availability. Persistent concerns include the inhumane state of the Victorian buildings, inadequate healthcare facilities, rising mental health needs, and the absence of Home Office immigration support.
PRISON
Key concerns
Stocken (2021)
HMP Stocken, a category C training prison, experienced significant disruption during the reporting year (May 2020 – April 2021) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, yet managed a commendable response to the outbreak and achieved high vaccination rates. Despite an extended period of restricted regime, the Board found the prison generally safe and commended the leadership and staff. Key concerns include persistent issues with prisoner transfers, resettlement support, and access to programmes.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bedford (2021)
HMP Bedford operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions, largely maintaining safety against the virus. However, the prison continues to face significant challenges with unacceptably high violence levels, exacerbated by overcrowding and prolonged cell confinement. While healthcare provision was generally good, mental health services remained a concern, and resettlement planning was ineffective. Staffing issues, including an inexperienced workforce, also impacted overall performance during this challenging period.
PRISON
Key concerns
Dartmoor (2021)
HMP Dartmoor, a Category C training prison, generally maintained safety and humane treatment during the reporting year despite Covid-19 challenges. The Board commended staff efforts in managing the pandemic and providing support. However, significant concerns persist regarding the detrimental impact of the impending closure on investment, staffing, and the regime, leading to extended lock-up times and inadequate infrastructure. Long waiting times for mental health transfers and dental care, alongside insufficient support for IPP prisoners, are also key issues.
PRISON
Key concerns
Hewell (2021)
HMP Hewell, a Category B local prison, showed significant improvements in safety, security, and cleanliness during a year dominated by Covid-19 restrictions. Despite these positive shifts and a reduction in self-harm and assaults, systemic concerns persist regarding the treatment of IPP prisoners, transfers for those with severe mental health needs, and inadequate facilities for disabled individuals. The Board highlighted overcrowding and prisoner discontent with healthcare as ongoing challenges.
PRISON
Key concerns
Elmley (2021)
HMP Elmley experienced a challenging year ending October 2021 due to its status as a COVID-19 outbreak site, leading to highly restricted regimes and persistent staffing shortages. The Board noted positive initiatives like the Accelerator project and OMU surgeries, but raised significant concerns regarding prolonged confinement, inadequate food budget, and issues with property loss and unlock list management. The report highlights critical needs for improved staff recruitment and retention, better analysis of self-harm incidents, and a review of external service contracts.
PRISON
Key concerns
Durham (2021)
HMP Durham is generally considered a safe environment, with staff commended for managing pandemic challenges and implementing effective drug strategies. However, the Board holds significant concerns regarding severe overcrowding and the dignity of prisoners in unsuitable cellular accommodation. Healthcare provision is deemed unsatisfactory due to long waiting times and low screening rates, while education delivery is hampered by staffing and a lack of vocational offerings. The prolonged detention of unsentenced prisoners, including IS91 detainees, due to court backlogs remains a persistent issue.
PRISON
Key concerns
Long Lartin (2021)
HMP Long Lartin, a Category A/B dispersal prison, operated under a severely restricted Covid-19 regime throughout 2021, leading to reduced activities and frustrations. While the prison was orderly and staff generally humane, violence increased, and self-harm incidents were high, largely due to a few complex individuals. Significant concerns persist regarding the inhumane night sanitation system, inadequate estate maintenance by Amey, and persistent delays in mental health hospital transfers.
PRISON
Key concerns
Hindley (2021)
HMP/YOI Hindley is deemed overall safe, though violence and self-harm increased, particularly among young adults. Prisoners are generally treated humanely despite challenges from Covid-19 restrictions, which often led to 23-hour lock-ins. While health needs are met satisfactorily, concerns persist regarding lost property, outdated accommodation, and resettlement support. The Board commends staff efforts and welcomes planned prison expansion.
PRISON
Key concerns
Isis (2021)
HMP/YOI Isis, a training prison for young adults, faced significant challenges during 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic and its transition to a younger population. Self-harm and violence incidents rose considerably, though some safety measures like ACCT cases decreased. The Board expressed ongoing concerns about property issues, delays in mental health transfers, and the impact of reduced face-to-face education and purposeful activity on rehabilitation.
PRISON
Key concerns
Humber (2021)
HMP Humber navigated 2021 under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with commendations for management and staff for maintaining stability and low violence. However, the Board expresses grave concerns about the long-term mental health impact of extended lock-up, critical staffing shortages, and issues with healthcare access. Resettlement efforts were hampered by probation service changes, and property loss remained an unresolved, recurring problem.
PRISON
Key concerns
Lindholme (2022)
HMP Lindholme continued to operate under COVID-19 restrictions, limiting regime and purposeful activity, yet saw the successful implementation of digital infrastructure and in-cell phones. While healthcare provision improved with reduced waiting times in most areas, significant concerns remain regarding persistent overcrowding, the high number of IPP prisoners, and the inadequate provision of resettlement services. Issues with the timely handling of prisoner complaints and property also need further attention.
PRISON
Key concerns
Norwich (2022)
HMP/YOI Norwich faced significant challenges in 2021-2022 due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and chronic staff shortages, impacting regime, safety, and humane treatment. Despite dedicated local leadership and staff efforts, the prison grappled with high self-harm incidents, violence, and inadequate ACCT management. Key issues highlighted include overcrowding, dilapidated facilities, insufficient rehabilitative programmes for long-term prisoners, and concerns regarding the detention of individuals with severe mental health needs and foreign nationals past their sentences.
PRISON
Key concerns
Swaleside (2022)
HMP Swaleside experienced a challenging year (May 2021 - April 2022), marked by severe staff shortages, a restricted regime due to Covid-19, and a high number of deaths in custody and self-harm incidents. The Board highlighted significant concerns regarding staffing, the impact of new prisoner allocations, and the lack of essential equipment like body-worn cameras. Positive developments included excellent education provision, effective outreach services, and improvements in discrimination incident reporting, though overall challenges to prisoner welfare and safety persist.
PRISON
Key concerns
Pentonville (2022)
Pentonville, a Category B/C YOI, operated with an average population of 1,043 against an operational capacity of 1,000, facing severe overcrowding and infrastructure issues. The reporting year was marked by significant staff shortages, leading to a restricted regime with many prisoners locked in cells for nearly 23 hours a day, hampering rehabilitation efforts. Key concerns include dilapidated buildings, disrupted mental health services, a critical gap in resettlement support for remand prisoners, and an underperforming Offender Management Unit. Positively, the prison saw success with its new drug-free wing and continued effective Covid-19 management.
PRISON
Key concerns
Woodhill (2022)
HMP Woodhill faced significant challenges during the reporting year, primarily driven by severe staffing shortages which restricted the regime and impacted prisoner safety, wellbeing, and access to services. While there were positive efforts in areas like Covid-19 response and family contact initiatives, high levels of violence, prolonged segregation, and inadequate progression opportunities remained key concerns. The IMB judges that the prison requires improvement, particularly in addressing staffing, regime delivery, and resettlement support.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wandsworth (2022)
HMP Wandsworth, a severely overcrowded reception prison holding 1,385 prisoners against a CNA of 961, faced significant challenges during the reporting period. Critical staff shortages severely impacted regime delivery and contributed to the prison being deemed unsafe due to rising violence and self-harm. Living conditions in the dilapidated Victorian buildings remained inhumane, while healthcare services suffered from long waiting times and poor inpatient facilities, and resettlement support for the majority remand population was inadequate.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wealstun (2022)
HMP Wealstun, a Category C training prison, experienced significant challenges during 2021-22, primarily due to severe staffing shortages that led to frequent regime curtailments and long periods of cell confinement. While healthcare provision was generally well-managed and positive work was noted in areas like substance misuse recovery and equality initiatives, major concerns persist regarding the inhumane treatment of IPP prisoners, the use of double cells, and the deteriorating conditions of older wings. The Board has made recommendations at national and local levels to address staffing, infrastructure, and resettlement pathways to ensure a humane and progressive environment.
PRISON
Key concerns
Winchester (2022)
HMP Winchester, a complex local B/C category prison, continues to face significant challenges, including high levels of violence and self-harm, a restricted regime with prolonged cell confinement, and critical issues with its outdated building infrastructure. While staff efforts to provide humane treatment are commendable, severe staffing shortages and high turnover undermine consistency and effective key working. The IMB highlights persistent problems such as cell overcrowding, inadequate CCTV, and vermin infestation, which compromise safety and wellbeing despite some recent positive trends in violence reduction and effective pandemic management.
PRISON
Key concerns
Isle of Wight (2021)
HMP Isle of Wight operated under a continued restricted regime in 2021 due to Covid-19, impacting daily life and increasing tensions. While the Board praised staff efforts and noted positive developments in healthcare, equality, and complaint handling, significant concerns persisted regarding the dilapidated laundry, unhygienic meal services, and underfunded estate repairs. Staffing shortfalls in mental health and probation services critically hampered prisoner support and progression, alongside challenges posed by the delayed transfer of Category C prisoners.
PRISON
Key concerns
Wymott (2022)
HMP Wymott faced significant challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime, staff shortages, and increased self-harm incidents. While the Board commended efforts to maintain safety and improve medication delivery, major concerns persisted regarding dilapidated accommodation, persistent issues with prisoner property, and limited access to healthcare, particularly mental health and dentistry. The increasing number of IPP prisoners and challenges with progression and resettlement, including releases without accommodation, remain significant issues for the Board.
PRISON
Key concerns
Whitemoor (2022)
HMP Whitemoor, a maximum-security prison for Categories A and B men, faced significant challenges in the reporting year ending May 2022, primarily due to a severe staffing crisis affecting all areas, including healthcare. This led to compromised regimes, particularly in the overcrowded segregation unit where severely unwell prisoners were held awaiting hospital transfer, and an inadequate purposeful activity and education offer. The Board also noted persistent issues with food provision and long waiting times for specialist healthcare appointments.
PRISON
Key concerns
Birmingham (2022)
HMP Birmingham shows sustained improvements in its culture and positive trends in safety, including reduced self-harm and segregation stays. However, severe staff shortages significantly hinder regime delivery and key worker sessions, contributing to high use of force incidents. Key challenges include lengthy remand detentions, the indefinite holding of foreign nationals post-sentence, and persistent issues with missing property.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bedford (2022)
HMP/YOI Bedford faced significant challenges during the reporting year, operating under "restrict" regimes due to COVID-19 and staff shortages, leading to widespread cell confinement. While positive steps were made in safety initiatives, particularly with a new young adults' wing and improved ACCT processes, the prison continues to struggle with high levels of self-harm and violence. Mental health services are critically under-resourced and inadequate, further exacerbated by persistent overcrowding and delays in relocating the inhumane segregation unit.
PRISON
Key concerns
Bristol (2022)
HMP Bristol has demonstrated positive improvements in safety, with reductions in self-harm and staff assaults, and effective Covid-19 management. However, the prison continues to face significant challenges, including an insufficient staffing budget and high non-effective rates that frequently impact regime delivery, purposeful activity, and key worker provision. Concerns persist regarding the Victorian infrastructure, particularly poor disability access and heating issues, alongside prolonged waits for specialist mental health transfers and an ongoing problem with lost prisoner property.
PRISON
Key concerns
IMB Recommendations (1028) — showing 50 strongest matches
Stocken (2020)
There is a pressing need for increased capacity in two particular areas: secure mental health facilities, and Category D (Open) prisons.
Ministry of Justice
Send (2020)
The prison continues to have difficulty in recruiting staff. Staff shortages can have an impact on the regime and thus on the prisoners (5.3).
HMPPS
Long Lartin (2020)
The Board acknowledges the efforts which are being made to improve staffing levels through recruitment and enhanced incentives. Nonetheless, the Board notes that the prison continues to face difficulties in maintaining a full regime. Staff issues have impinged on the regime, workshops have been restricted and time out of cell is below the expectations of HMIP.
HMPPS
Littlehey (2020)
how the minister will ensure that the prisoner population will remain within the uncrowded capacity of the prison system, so that establishments such as HMP Littlehey can operate at their certified normal accommodation levels. Housing two prisoners in cells designed for one person is not decent treatment and should not be accepted as standard practice.
Ministry of Justice
Chelmsford (2020)
to make every effort to eliminate overcrowding, which is in conflict with the requirements of decency and respect and is in contravention of the United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners
Other
Winchester (2021)
What is the Minister’s plan to resolve the issue of permanent cell overcrowding and the fact that prison service instruction (PSI) 17/2012 states prisoners must be ‘able to use the wc with some privacy’ (see sections 3.2, 4.4, 5.1), which is impossible to achieve in HMP Winchester?
Ministry of Justice
Wandsworth (2021)
HMP Wandsworth continues to be severely overcrowded. Does the Government have a plan to resolve this situation?
Ministry of Justice
Onley (2021)
There is an urgent need for increased capacity in one particular area: category D (open) prisons. There is also a need to increase this capacity in London and the south east. Far too many prisoners at HMP Onley are a very long way from their homes and families and this makes resettlement much harder for these prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
Lindholme (2021)
What measures are being taken to reduce overcrowding and the excessive use of double occupancy in cells which were designed for single occupancy?
HMPPS
Elmley (2021)
Difficulties in recruitment have meant that Elmley has been short of staff in this reporting year. The pandemic has further impacted on staffing and highlighted the need to recruit more officers. The situation for prisoners could have been ameliorated to some extent if staffing had allowed more flexibility in managing the bubbles. There need to be incentives to help recruit …
HMPPS
Eastwood Park (2021)
Given the fluctuations in staffing levels caused by this pandemic, which are likely to continue for some time, will HMPPS ensure that prisons are staffed sufficiently to cope with this ongoing situation?
HMPPS
Chelmsford (2021)
To make every effort to eliminate overcrowding, which is in conflict with the requirements of decency and respect and is in contravention of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
Bullingdon (2021)
The prison continues to be chronically overcrowded. There are 521 cells designed for single occupancy, most of which are occupied by two prisoners. This overcrowding puts great pressure on communal spaces and facilities and is incompatible with the fair and decent treatment of prisoners who are doubled up in cells designed for single use, particularly when, owing to Covid-19 restrictions, …
Governor / Director
Bullingdon (2021)
The prison continues to be chronically overcrowded, despite the Board’s repeated representations that the overcrowding is unacceptable. There are 521 cells designed for single occupancy, most of which are occupied by two prisoners. This overcrowding puts great pressure on communal spaces and facilities and is incompatible with the fair and decent treatment of prisoners who are doubled up in cells …
HMPPS
Bullingdon (2021)
The prison continues to be chronically overcrowded, despite repeated representations by the Board that the overcrowding is unacceptable. There are 521 cells designed for single occupancy, most of which are occupied by two prisoners. This overcrowding puts great pressure on communal spaces and facilities. It is incompatible with the fair and decent treatment of prisoners who are doubled up in …
Ministry of Justice
Winchester (2022)
There is still permanent cell overcrowding through the main prison, with most prisoners being required to share a cell that was built to house one person. What is the Prison Service’s plan to rectify this?
HMPPS
Whitemoor (2022)
Will the minister give a clear lead to addressing the staffing crisis in the prison service by undertaking a fundamental review of the career opportunities and pay offered to its staff?
Ministry of Justice
Wandsworth (2022)
HMP Wandsworth continues to be severely overcrowded. In response to last year’s annual report, the Minister wrote on 1 December 2021 that moving prisoners out of HMP Wandsworth to free up space in double occupancy cells would only create overcrowding in other establishments. While this may be factually correct it does not alleviate the inhumane conditions at HMP Wandsworth. Would …
Ministry of Justice
Stocken (2022)
Staffing numbers need to increase to reduce the impact of a shortage of both officers and administrative staff.
Governor / Director
Norwich (2022)
What steps is HMPPS taking to improve recruitment and staff retention and can it outline the policies regarding local recruitment?
HMPPS
Hindley (2022)
The Board recognises that this has been a particularly challenging year for the prison as it moves out of Covid restrictions and reverts to a more normal regime. However, the ongoing issue of high staff turnover across the prison has impacted significantly on the prisoner experience and has had far reaching consequences regarding quality of life for both staff and …
Governor / Director
Foston Hall (2022)
The high number of regime curtailments due to staffing issues (see paragraph 6.5.2)
Governor / Director
Foston Hall (2022)
A severe staff shortage, which continues to have a major impact on all aspects of the regime provided to prisoners at Foston Hall, and which is detrimental to their wellbeing and the fairness of their treatment? (A theme throughout this annual report, notably paragraph 6.5.2)
HMPPS
Doncaster (2022)
monitoring the mix of experienced and less experienced officers
HMPPS
Doncaster (2022)
ensuring there are sufficient officers in post to offer a full regime
HMPPS
Cookham Wood (2022)
Appropriate staffing levels: If the boys in Cookham Wood were out in the community, they would be expected to be in full-time education, training or employment. Throughout the whole of the last year, the boys in Cookham Wood experienced nothing close to full-time provision. This has been largely due to poor staffing. When will the service provide adequate staffing levels …
HMPPS
Chelmsford (2022)
To make every effort to eliminate overcrowding, which is in conflict with the requirements of decency and respect and is in contravention of the United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners.
HMPPS
Bullingdon (2022)
There is an increasing shortage of staff in the prison. Some of the shortage can be attributed to absences of staff who have resigned in the course of the reporting year. What steps can the Governor take to address this problem?
Governor / Director
Bullingdon (2022)
The prison continues to be chronically overcrowded, despite repeated representations by the Board that the overcrowding is unacceptable. There are 521 cells designed for single occupancy, most of which are occupied by two prisoners. Overcrowding also puts great pressure on communal spaces and facilities. It is incompatible with the fair and decent treatment of prisoners. Does the minister consider this …
Ministry of Justice
Bristol (2022)
The Board is concerned about the impact of prison staffing issues on the daily life of prisoners. What local actions are underway to improve staff availability, especially in respect of the non-effective rate?
Governor / Director
Bedford (2022)
The prison remains overcrowded with two prisoners in cells designed for one.
HMPPS
Aylesbury (2022)
Systematically tackle low levels of staffing. Reconsider the value of local recruitment to lower bands in the prison service.
HMPPS
Aylesbury (2022)
Deliver a robust, imaginative and flexible new recruitment strategy across the prison estate, backed by the resources needed to increase and sustain higher staffing levels.
Other
Altcourse (2022)
Recruitment of staff has to be a priority to minimise the redeployment of staff from designated roles to cover for vacancies elsewhere.
Governor / Director
Wymott (2023)
Many of the issues raised in this report can be linked to the shortage of staff, particularly experienced officers. Are there any plans to review prison staffing levels nationally?
HMPPS
Wandsworth (2023)
With the establishment dangerously overcrowded and living conditions inhumane what immediate term actions will the Minister authorise to redress the shortage of resources – human, financial and physical?
Ministry of Justice
The Mount (2023)
As last year, staffing levels are a major concern, particularly as the number of prisoners increases. The continued loss of experienced officers means that there are fewer opportunities for mentoring when new recruits arrive, and too often they have to go straight into the front line, due to staff shortages.
HMPPS
Swaleside (2023)
The Board remains concerned about the retention and recruitment of staff. 29 experienced officers from Swaleside were recruited directly by the Border Agency during the year and numbers were also lost to the police and civil service. These other agencies offer better employment terms than HMPPS for all levels and grades of staff. The result is that Swaleside has been …
Ministry of Justice
Pentonville (2023)
Will HMPPS give assurance that the population of Pentonville will not be increased beyond the Operational Capacity of 1,205 notwithstanding increasing population pressures across the prison estate?
HMPPS
Pentonville (2023)
What measures is the Minister planning to take to reduce overcrowding in the prison system, in light of the fact that the prison estate nationally is almost at capacity and projected to increase still further before additional spaces become available under the Government’s prison building programme?
Ministry of Justice
Onley (2023)
What local actions are underway to improve officer staffing levels, given that prison officer shortages impacted on the daily life of prisoners and on the implementation of key work as intended in the offender management in custody (OMiC) model?
Governor / Director
Onley (2023)
What further support can be provided to ensure key work is delivered consistently and to a high standard for all prisoners despite the shortage of prison officers?
HMPPS
Lowdham Grange (2023)
To ensure that staffing levels and resources are brought up to and maintained at the required level to operate the full regime effectively and improve safety within the prison. The Board observes that a more effective regime of searching for drugs and prohibited items, which includes all staff, visitors and contractors, will improve safety and reduce risk in the prison.
Governor / Director
Liverpool (2023)
Staff absence is still an issue at HMP Liverpool, affecting daily staffing levels and resulting in frequent regime closures for prisoners. What action will the Prison Service take to directly reduce staff absence at HMP Liverpool and eliminate regime closures due to low staffing levels?
HMPPS
Littlehey (2023)
As stated in the reports of the last two years, there continue to be too many prisoners forced to share cells, including those initially designed as single cells. While the Board acknowledges the Minister’s response to this point in our last report, it remains concerned that the number of prisoners being forced to share a cell continues to increase. With …
Ministry of Justice
Lindholme (2023)
Overcrowding. We are aware that the problems of overcrowding are caused by a lack of capacity in the prison estate and that these are influenced by several factors. However, the problem remains a very real one which is causing difficulties for prison staff, as well as having a detrimental effect on the mental health of prisoners and reducing the effectiveness …
Ministry of Justice
Lewes (2023)
Will the prison service review the staffing budget in prisons and stop the practice of including non-effective staff in staff numbers?
HMPPS
Lewes (2023)
Will the Minister improve the funding to enable the prison to recruit and retain an adequate number of staff?
Ministry of Justice
Leeds (2023)
Overcrowding and an increase in prison populations has had a significant effect on many areas of prison life (e.g. prisoners moved away from their home area due to a lack of prison spaces which, in turn, may affect family visits). How does the Minister plan deal with this, given that the proposals for increasing the number of prison places has, …
Ministry of Justice
Lancaster Farms (2023)
To fund the Prison Service for the growth and maintenance of effective staffing levels.
HMPPS
Article 2 Learning Points (17)
— LP 9
We further recommend that Holloway agrees a minimum staffing level and takes action when the level in any area and/or at any time is not reached.
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 8
We recommend that the adequacy of staffing levels is reviewed particularly in respect of the needs of women at weekends. We also recommend that stronger efforts are made to ensure residential units are not deprived of staff because of bed watches.
HMPPS
Accepted
— LP 4
HMP Durham should review the minimum staffing level needed to safely oversee prisoners taking part in association.
HMP Durham
Rejected
— 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 14
We recommend that some impetus be created at HMP Pentonville to ensure that the option of using discipline staff for one‐to‐one supervision is explored (see Chapter 13). Providing clear accountabilities and a timeframe for getting this piece of work done will go some way towards creating this impetus.
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 9
The Safe Supervision of Prisoners (in-patients) policy should be reviewed in consultation with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and further guidance should be included on managing patients with particularly challenging behaviour.
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 8
Managers at HMP Birmingham should ensure that the violence reduction strategy is applied to prisoners who have displayed recent violent behaviour in previous prisons as well as in HMP Birmingham. This should include: i. applying a multi-disciplinary approach and identifying factors which trigger their violent behaviour; and ii. developing a …
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 5
Managers at HMP Birmingham should remind staff completing Cell Sharing Risk Assessment forms and reviews that Prison National Offender Management Information System holds previous Cell Sharing Risk Assessments and review decisions as well as adjudication histories (current and previous sentences) and notes on prisoner behaviour.
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 16
Good practice guidelines should be published on the supervision of recess areas to cover standard risk and high-risk prisoners.
HMPPS
Accepted
— LP 15
Recess areas should be added to the list of examples of locations where a prisoner with a high-risk cell-sharing risk assessment should be prevented from using with other prisoners.
HMPPS
Accepted
— LP 2
Cell Sharing Risk Assessments should be quality-assured to ensure that they are properly evidenced and, in particular, that the relevant Prison National Offender Management Information System transfer record has been checked prior to a particular prisoner being located in a shared cell.
HMPPS
Accepted
— LP 2
In order to reduce the risk of violence to prisoners the Violence Reduction Strategy should be monitored by managers to ensure that all prisoners to whom it applies are included and steps taken to reduce their likelihood of potential violence.
HMP Durham
Accepted
— LP 7
Staff at HMP Birmingham should receive refresher training on the completion of Cell Sharing Risk Assessment reviews following the receipt of new information.
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 4
Managers at HMP Birmingham should remind staff of the factors that can lead to an increased likelihood that a prisoner will harm his cellmate.
The Governor
Accepted
— LP 3
Managers at HMP Birmingham should ensure that all staff involved in the initial assessment of prisoners on reception receive appropriate training.
The Governor
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
— LP 5
If it has not already done so, NOMS should consider reviewing PSO 1700 relating to segregation. Any such review should consider including policy, procedural guidance and a risk assessment matrix for the occasions when prisoners return to main wings from Segregation outside of the main Segregation Review Board process.
NOMS
Accepted
Detention Investigations (7)
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R27
G4S should amend its induction policy to make it clear that a detainee posing a risk of any significant violence to others will be justification for accommodating the detainee in a single occupancy room. (To be completed within 3 months)
Immigration Detention
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R31
G4S and the SMT should ensure that the welfare team is adequately staffed at all times. (To be completed within 3 months)
Immigration Detention
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R6
The SMT should urgently ensure that Brook House is fully staffed. (To be completed as a matter of urgency)
Immigration Detention
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R1
Serco should monitor the numbers of time-served foreign national offenders detained at Yarl’s Wood, and the impact their presence has on the good order of the centre and the safety and security of others. Serco should consult regularly with the Home Office to ensure that only those who do not …
Immigration Detention
Review into the Welfare in Detention of Vulnerable Persons — Rec 18
I recommend that the Home Office consider what learning there is for IRCs from the Prison Service’s experience of operating ‘first night centres’ for those initially received into custody.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 13
the question of staffing levels be reviewed to assess if future contracts should contain more prescriptive requirements in relation to staff numbers.
Immigration Detention
Assessment of government progress in implementing the report on the … — Rec 8
In future, capacity in the immigration estate should not be increased by adding extra beds to rooms designed for fewer occupants. Where this has already occurred (e.g. Campsfeld House, Brook House), these extra beds should be removed, and capacity reduced or extra space created.
Immigration Detention
LGO / SPSO Decisions (198)
201004174 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the SPS decided not to let him progress to an open prison. He said that this decision was based on intelligence (information) from the police that he believed to be untrue. He asked for clarification and was told that he presented an unacceptable risk to the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jun 2011
201004625 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C was involved in an altercation with another prisoner and placed on a misconduct report. He was subsequently found guilty of fighting but, as the disciplinary process was not correctly followed, this charge was later overturned. Mr C was placed on the SPS's anti-bullying strategy as a result of …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201101324 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, received a copy of his Integrated Case Management (ICM) case conference record. This document records the discussion and outcome at a prisoner’s ICM case conference. This is a meeting where the prisoner and everyone who is involved in supporting them get together to talk …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Feb 2012
201103342 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, came to Scotland from another authority area. At that time, he had already served more than half of his sentence and was eligible to be considered for parole (early release). Parole was not granted so he was transferred to a maximum security prison. Mr …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Apr 2012
201103381 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that there was a lack of employment opportunities in prison. As a result, he said he was only receiving a basic cell wage despite being willing to work. The prison explained that due to external market conditions, they have encountered difficulties retaining and …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
May 2012
201103837 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison switched off the cell heating overnight. He also said that heating in cells on his side of the hall was faulty, but had not been fixed. The prison had explained to him that the hall was maintained at an average …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jun 2012
201103813 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, was returned from the prison open estate to closed conditions because it was suspected that he was involved in illicit substance misuse. Mr C said the decision was unreasonable because he had not done anything wrong and had not failed any drug tests. He …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jun 2012
201103744 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the SPS delayed in identifying that he needed to take part in a particular offending behaviour programme. He had already participated in one programme, and felt that his needs had not changed since he began his sentence. He was unhappy that the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jun 2012
201101201 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, previously complained to us that there was no logging process for confidential complaints to the prison governor. We did not uphold the complaint at that time as the prison had devised a process which was due to be implemented. This involved the complaint being …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jul 2012
201200242 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who was a prisoner, received a copy of his integrated case management (ICM) case conference minute and was unhappy with some of the content. In particular, he was concerned about comments made about him by a member of staff. Mr C raised his concerns with the prison but …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2012
201203562 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison inappropriately changed his management plan. This is a plan that is put in place by the prison, and outlines the agreed steps a prisoner will be required to take to demonstrate that he can manage his risk appropriately, prior to …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Apr 2013
201204817 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) refused to progress him to open conditions (less secure prison conditions). He felt that, in arriving at their decision, the SPS had not clarified his situation and taken account of relevant information. He explained that he was …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Oct 2013
201301562 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he had been categorised as a medium security risk. He felt that he should have been given a 'low' rating. Our investigation found that the reason for this classification was that drug paraphernalia was found during a routine search of the cell …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2013
201301240 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner in a closed prison, complained that the Scottish Prison Service were unreasonably holding him back from progressing to less secure conditions. A prisoner must meet standard criteria before the risk management team (RMT) will consider his application for progression. The RMT at the closed …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2013
201404373 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that his prison did not follow relevant policy in dealing with his progression through the prison system to less secure conditions, in preparation for his eventual release. Mr C felt that two Scottish Prison Service (SPS) policies about progression were contradictory. He also complained about how the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Mar 2015
201401836 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service failed to transfer him to the closest appropriate establishment to his postcode. We identified that the establishment Mr C had in mind was not appropriate as it did not provide a course he was required to complete. He was later moved to …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Apr 2015
201405223 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the prison inappropriately failed to give him the opportunity to make representations prior to seeking to extend his removal from association. A prison can seek approval from Scottish Ministers to stop a prisoner from associating with others to maintain good order and discipline. The prison said …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
May 2015
201407446 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C was escorted to the sheriff court by an escorting agency which provides all custody and court escorting services on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). He said that when he arrived, the escorting officers were instructed to keep him double cuffed. This meant that Mr C had …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jul 2015
201407060 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C was taken into his trial at the sheriff court whilst wearing double cuffs. This meant Mr C was wearing one set of cuffs to link his wrists together and a second set linking one of his wrists to the escorting officer's wrist. Mr C complained that the escorting …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jul 2015
201404427 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained to us that there had been unreasonable delays by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) in facilitating his movement through the prison system in time for his parole hearing. Mr C had been transferred from a prison in England so that he could receive family visits. However, he …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Feb 2016
201503738 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the risk management team failed to appropriately demonstrate that they had taken a defensible decision in relation to his progression to less secure conditions. We found that the prison did not initially provide enough written detail to show how they had reached their decision on Mr …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Mar 2016
201508815 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, a solicitor, complained on behalf of his client (Mr A) that prison staff repeatedly ordered Mr A to return to mainstream accommodation despite being a protection prisoner, and then punished Mr A for refusing. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said that Mr A had to be removed from …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jan 2017
201508390 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained about a decision taken by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to downgrade him (return him to closed conditions from less secure conditions). He said that they did not follow the proper process in taking the decision, and that the decision was based on inaccurate evidence. Mr C …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Partly Upheld
Jan 2017
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
201804356 — Scottish Prison Service
C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) unreasonably failed to follow their risk management guidance, unreasonably failed to complete C's supervision level paperwork and failed to provide relevant information to appropriate parties in time for C's parole review hearing. Despite recognising the potential seriousness of these allegations, we were …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Aug 2019
202000242 — Scottish Prison Service
Concerns were raised during C's time on community work placement. Investigations were carried out and having considered the information available, the risk management team (RMT) at Prison A took the decision to return C to closed conditions (Prison B). C considered that Prison A failed to seek relevant evidence as …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Partly Upheld
Aug 2021
201005058 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C was transferred from one prison to another. He complained that, although he was allowed to buy certain items while in the first prison, he was not allowed to do so in the second prison. We could only look at the way in which prison staff considered his request, …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jun 2011
201004809 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that he experienced unreasonable delays in accessing an art class. He had been on an education waiting list for some time without getting a place. In response to our enquiries, the SPS explained that Mr C’s name was not added to the class list when it should …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jun 2011
201004624 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that an orderly room report that was dismissed had remained on his record. We could not look at this complaint as it had come to us without going through the prison complaints system first. However, Mr C also complained that this information was given to the adjudicator …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jun 2011
201004487 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C was in prison and had been assessed as requiring one-to-one psychological treatment. He complained that there was an unacceptable delay in getting this. We asked the SPS to comment. They explained that they have had difficulties arranging one-to-one work because of major staff shortages, although they are taking …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jun 2011
201004486 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the SPS unreasonably refused his request to access and review the Integrated Case Management Guidance Manual. This manual is aimed at staff, to help them help identify needs and programmes that may assist prisoners throughout their sentence, and to guide the management of prisoners’ case conferences. …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Upheld
Jun 2011
201005379 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the SPS had refused his request to transfer to an open prison because he had previously absconded from prison custody. Mr C said he felt the decision was unfair and irrational because this had happened more than 20 years ago when he was in a young …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jul 2011
201005369 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained about delay in progressing through his prison sentence. He had been told that he would be put forward for progression by a particular time but this had not happened. We considered whether there had been an unreasonable delay in him being put forward for progression. We did …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jul 2011
201005069 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, a prisoner, complained because he was cold going to work and exercise. He said there were no jackets available and that it was the Governor's duty to make sure there was proper clothing available for prisoners in line with Prison Rule 27. The prison confirmed that new jackets …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jul 2011
201003823 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the SPS delayed in progressing him to a 'top end' prison facility (part of a prison for low supervision prisoners entitled to special escorted leave). Firstly, it is not for our office to decide when or whether someone should progress to such a facility. Such decisions …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Jul 2011
201100974 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because those in his residential hall at the prison were not receiving their mail until after 18:30 each day. Mr C said other residential halls were receiving mail before this time and it was unfair because mail was important to prisoners. Our investigation …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201100556 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the price of goods available to buy in his prison kept increasing, although wages for prisoners stayed the same. When we investigated, we were satisfied that the prison were trying to keep prices down as far as reasonably possible. We accepted that there had been price …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201100532 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that his previous prison had required him to attend work in prison although there was nothing for him to do. We did not uphold the complaint because prison rules require prisoners to attend work except in cases such as illness or where the prison do not have …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201100494 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C is a former prisoner. He complained that a prison had inappropriately considered incorrect information before reaching their decision to refuse his application for early release under the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme. This information said that Mr C was previously recalled to custody in 2008 whilst on release …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201005368 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C was working through a management plan that had been agreed by his prison and was hoping to be paroled at his next Parole Board hearing. However, he was concerned that the plan seemed to have been stopped. Our investigation revealed that concerns had been raised at a multi-disciplinary …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201005161 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that mandatory drug testing (MDT) arrangements were not in place and that this was holding up his progression. In responding to his complaint, the SPS advised that they were in the process of refitting a suitable area within the prison and arrangements would be in place shortly. …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201004626 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he was wrongly put in double handcuffs on a particular occasion and that the reasons for this had not been explained to him. Double handcuffs are a more secure version of normal single handcuffs. Despite extensive enquiries, we could not find any …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Aug 2011
201100331 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) ignored recommendations made by the parole board that he be progressed immediately to the Open Estate. He also complained that the SPS failed to adhere to his management plan by not submitting an application for his First Grant of Temporary Release. …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Oct 2011
201005068 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, was downgraded from the Open Estate and returned to closed conditions. Mr C felt that he had been treated differently from other prisoners and he complained that his downgrade was unfair. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) told Mr C that because he failed a …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Partly Upheld
Oct 2011
201101383 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained about the delay in the prison progressing his application for the Open Estate. Mr C said he felt his application was being treated differently from other prisoners because other prisoners had been progressed more quickly than him. In responding to Mr C's complaint, …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2011
201101175 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he was unhappy with the decision taken by one prison to transfer him to another. Mr C said he was ready to transfer to less secure conditions and he felt that transfering to the second prison would impact on his progression. In …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2011
201101010 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he was unhappy with the decision taken by the prison to delay his transfer to a National Top End (NTE). NTE is a less secure prison environment that life or long term prisoners will progress to after they meet certain criteria for …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2011
201100947 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) decision to refuse him home detention curfew (HDC) on health grounds was unfair. He was told by the prison that his request had been refused because he had been recalled to prison in the past and, therefore, he fell within one …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Nov 2011
201102599 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he was unhappy with the prison's decision not to supply scissors to the prison barbers. He also complained because the prison were not providing cleaning fluids for the hairdressing tools. Our enquiries confirmed that the prison had taken the decision not to …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Feb 2012
201102078 — Scottish Prison Service
Mr C submitted a confidential complaint to the Governor stating that he had been subjected to verbal abuse by a prison officer on a day in April 2011. He also raised concerns that an officer refused to accept an item of property from his brother following a visit in July. …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Prisons
Not Upheld
Feb 2012