Prison time out of cell
Failure to meet statutory minimums for time out of cell in prisons, impacting access to basic needs and rehabilitative activities.
1,201 items
9 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#31 - Set statutory minimum for time out of cell in Young Offender Institutions, with data published
As well as making every effort to meet the statutory minimum of 15 hours for education, HMPPS must set a statutory minimum for time out of cell in Young Offender Institutions. As with adult prisons, this minimum must be monitored centrally using formalised and standardised data, which should also be published for accountability purposes, and HMPPS must provide...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
Committee recommendation
100match
#16 - Statutory minimum time out of cell remains consistently unmet in prisons.
It is unacceptable that the statutory minimum for time out of cell is not being met, which means that prisoners either do not have access to basic needs, such as a shower or time in fresh air, or must choose between those or engaging in rehabilitative activities. Whilst we support the Government’s 83 ambition to go beyond the...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
Committee recommendation
100match
#17 - Formalise, publish, and monitor time out of cell data across all prisons.
HMPPS should formalise, standardise, and publish time out of cell data for every prison in England and Wales. It must closely monitor prisons that are failing to meet the statutory minimum and provide urgent support to enable compliance. Accurate and transparent reporting is essential to drive improvement and ensure accountability. (Recommendation, Paragraph 78)
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
Committee recommendation
99match
#30 - Require Government to develop action plan for improving youth estate conditions, increasing time out of cell
The Government must respond to this report with an action plan as to how it plans to manage current conditions across the youth estate. For Young Offender Institutions, this should include what impact the introduction of 85 PAVA has had in managing behaviour, and what other action it plans to take to increase the levels of time out...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
Committee recommendation
99match
#29 - Youth Custody Service and Young Offender Institutions fail children with excessive cell time
The Youth Custody Service, and in particular Young Offender Institutions, is clearly not working for children. Children should not be spending up to 23 hours a day in cell due to the failure of HMPPS to manage behaviour effectively. It is disappointing that the only action the Government has taken has been the introduction of PAVA spray, which...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
Committee recommendation
89match
#173 - Drug-related medical emergencies strain prison staff and reduce purposeful activity, fueling drug demand.
Every drug-related medical emergency in prison, especially when fatal, is a needless tragedy. The significant number of ’code blues’ in some prisons adds to the significant strain already being experienced by staff. This leads to regime restrictions and increased time spent in cells. This, in turn, reduces access to purposeful activity and rehabilitation programmes, creating a self-perpetuating cycle...
Matched on
terms: cell, prison, time
LGO / SPSO decision
85match
201302619 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to enable him to have outdoor exercise. Our investigation found, however, that the reason for this was that the outdoor exercise time for his residential area conflicted with another optional activity he took part in. We also found that the SPS had offered other...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
85match
Wormwood Scrubs (2023)
The Governor should outline plans for improving the daily regime, including time out of cell and access to activities.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
LGO / SPSO decision
84match
201807167 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained about the delay by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to provide him with a Psychological Risk Assessment (PRA). Mr C had been assessed by the prison Risk Management Team (RMT) to require a PRA but had not yet received this years later. He complained that there was an undue delay in him receiving his PRA...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
81match
Wakefield (2021)
Clarify the target minimum time out of cell for the next reporting period.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
81match
Thameside (2021)
The Board stresses to HMPPS the importance of all prisoners having the opportunity to engage in regular purposeful out of cell activities and jobs. However there are insufficient such opportunities at present in Thameside for a prison of 1200 men. To make up this deficiency will require investment. Out of cell socialisation time (association), appropriately managed, is also...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
81match
Pentonville (2023)
Will you commit to a detailed review of the structure of the regime in order to provide more time out of cell for those prisoners who do not attend either education or activities?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
81match
Hewell (2023)
Improve the core regime, increasing time out of cell and maximising access to meaningful occupation of time, whether in work, vocational activity or education.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
81match
Bedford (2023)
It is disappointing that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) does not measure time out of cell (or perhaps time locked in cell) or appear to give any importance to it, when purposeful activities are not available.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
81match
Wymott (2025)
What is the Governor doing to protect prisoners’ entitlements in relation to time out of cell, library access and purposeful activity?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB annual report
80match
The Mount (2021)
This report covers a year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which HMP The Mount successfully contained the virus thanks to the commendable efforts of staff. However, severe restrictions on the regime meant prisoners spent significantly reduced time out of cells, impacting access to education, work, and family visits. Key concerns include mental health transfer delays, inadequate support...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB annual report
80match
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...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
Committee recommendation
80match
#22 - First report - Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to...
The lack of controlled and secure access to proper online education is a significant barrier to learning. It is stifling opportunity for improvement through education and leaving prisoners unprepared for the real world, lacking the digital skills they need for employment and life skills, and reducing their likelihood of reoffending. The digital divide between prisoners and the community...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
80match
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 needed a cell of his own and there...
Matched on
terms: cell, prison, time
Committee recommendation
78match
#42 - Access to vital prison library services increasingly constrained, risking loss of provision
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. 87 Without recognition and action from the Government, prisons risk losing this essential service, undermining efforts to support...
Matched on
terms: out, prison
Committee recommendation
78match
#40 - Young Offender Institutions routinely fail to meet minimum education hours for children
Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms that all children have the right to education, including those in detention. Yet Young Offender Institutions are routinely failing to meet the statutory minimum of 15 hours of education per week—a failure that appears to be tolerated by the Government. Children should never be...
Matched on
terms: out
Committee recommendation
78match
#18 - Inconsistent and insufficient purposeful activity across the prison estate hinders rehabilitation.
We agree wholeheartedly with Lord Timpson that there is too much inconsistency across the prison estate. Purposeful activity is integral to supporting rehabilitation. It is therefore disappointing that it continues to be deprioritised by HMPPS amidst other pressures. We are sympathetic to the current constraints the Government is facing regarding overcrowding, staffing, and the physical estate. However, the...
Matched on
terms: prison, time
Committee recommendation
78match
#2 - Include measures to ensure rehabilitation is not compromised in the next prison capacity statement
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 compromised. This should include measures to improve access to purposeful activity, maintain family relationships, and ensure prisoners are...
Matched on
terms: out, prison
IMB annual report
77match
Whitemoor (2021)
HMP Whitemoor operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions, leading to prisoners spending over 21 hours locked in cells daily, significantly impacting mental health and purposeful activity. Despite this, the prison maintained order and controlled infection effectively. Key challenges include increased substance misuse, persistently high segregation unit occupancy, and the urgent need for in-cell telephones and improved estate maintenance. The...
Matched on
terms: cell, prison
IMB annual report
77match
Lewes (2022)
Throughout the reporting year, HMP Lewes operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions, severely limiting the regime and leading to an overwhelmingly poor experience for prisoners. The Board identified an inhumane regime with prisoners often locked in cells for nearly 23 hours a day, alongside a concerning deterioration in healthcare provision due to staffing shortages and overreliance on agency staff....
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison
IMB recommendation
77match
Norwich (2021)
Following the noted decrease in violent incidents in prisons during Covid, can HMPPS assure the Board that a reduction in time out of cell will not be considered as a viable long-term solution for reducing violence? Can HMPPS further assure the Board that increasing the quality of the management of prisoners while they are out of their cells...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Lindholme (2021)
What measures are being taken to ensure that prisoners have more time outside their cells for exercise and domestics, even before the end of the lockdown?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Gartree (2021)
Can the Governor reassure the Board that any future regime design will not result in more time in their cells for the prisoners at Gartree than at pre-Covid-19 levels?
Matched on
terms: cell, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Wormwood Scrubs (2022)
Can the Governor please address the lack of data and monitoring in relation to how much time individual prisoners are spending out of cell on a particular day (6.5.2), so that the HMPPS benchmark might be achieved?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Woodhill (2022)
To work with operational staff to stabilise the amount of predictable time prisoners have out of cell.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Lewes (2022)
The Board asks the Governor to do everything in her power to improve the amount of time prisoners are allowed out of their cells as quickly as possible.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Cookham Wood (2022)
Time out of cells: The limited out of cell hours (particularly at weekends) that boys have been allowed throughout the 12-month reporting period is considered by the IMB to be inhumane (see section 6 for statistical analysis). The true picture for most boys (housed in the main residential block) is masked by averages which are calculated across the...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Preston (2023)
Time out of cell for those prisoners not in work or education should be increased.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Lewes (2023)
Will the Governor increase the number of work and education places to allow more men an increase in time out of cell?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Lancaster Farms (2023)
To ensure that maximum opportunities are given to enable prisoners to spend time outside their cells.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Forest Bank (2023)
Meaningful out of cell time remains a concern: what actions is the senior leadership team undertaking to address this?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Erlestoke (2023)
What plans are in place to increase time out of cell at weekends?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Cookham Wood (2023)
What urgent steps will Cookham Wood take to ensure a stable and predictable regime for the boys, with improved time out of cell and minimal last-minute changes and cancellations?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Altcourse (2023)
What are the plans for improving the daily regime for prisoners, and in particular, when can they expect to eat their meals outside of their cells and in association with other prisoners?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison
IMB recommendation
77match
Wealstun (2024)
How is the Governor planning to increase time out of cell for prisoners by increasing the regime and providing more work and education opportunities, as this would help with their progression?
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Nottingham (2024)
To consider what improvements can be made to increase purposeful activity/time out of cell, particularly for VPs housed on the induction wing.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
IMB recommendation
77match
Lewes (2024)
The Board welcomes the new opportunities for purposeful activity but asks for new steps to increase time out of cell, especially when purposeful activity is not available.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, time
LGO / SPSO decision
77match
202412046 - Scottish Prison Service
C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to follow the appropriate procedure after they removed C from association (temporarily separated from the normal prison population. A Governor can order a prisoner be segregated from others for up to 72 hours if they believe it is in the interests of good order in the prison or for...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time
IMB annual report
76match
Wayland (2021)
HMP Wayland's reporting year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a severely restricted regime with prisoners often locked in cells for up to 22 hours daily, and a virtual halt to education and purposeful activity. The Board raised significant concerns about critically low staffing levels and inexperience, alongside a substantial minority of prisoners feeling unsafe and...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison
IMB recommendation
76match
Long Lartin (2020)
Activities for prisoners outside their cells continue to be inadequate, and HMIP targets have, again, not been met. This adds to boredom, frustration and difficulty in progressing prisoners positively through the system.
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison
IMB recommendation
76match
The Mount (2022)
Given the management of smaller groups of prisoners and not returning to pre-pandemic ‘free flow’ regime, the challenge will be to manage movement of prisoners so that prisoners are able to attend work and education every day, to make use of the library and gyms regularly and to have sufficient time out of cell. We have raised concerns...
Matched on
terms: cell, out, prison, time
Committee recommendation
76match
#32 - First report - Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to...
No-one understands the skills market better than employers. Local partnership with employers is key to identifying and providing the necessary skills for the job market. During our inquiry, we heard of some fantastic partnerships between prisons and businesses. However, these examples are too few. The Ministry of Justice must build on this and significantly expand this approach. Prisons...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time
Committee recommendation
76match
#31 - First report - Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to...
The prison estate has a role in supporting prisoners in finding employment. We welcome the employment hubs that are currently operational, such as that in HMP Thorn Cross, but believe that the scheme must be extended. The Government must, by the end of the year, set out a clear timetable for the roll-out of employment hubs across the...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time
LGO / SPSO decision
76match
201305142 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) were failing to progress him in line with the risk management and progression guidance. That guidance outlines the procedures that should be followed by prisons when considering a prisoner for transfer to less secure conditions. Our investigation found that Mr C is serving a life...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time
LGO / SPSO decision
76match
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 SPS handled his complaint. We looked at the...
Matched on
terms: out, prison, time