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

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Where this theme appears

Prison time out of cell has been flagged across 9 independent accountability sources:

2 PFD reports 52 committee recs 4 PPO recs 145 IMB reports 907 IMB recs 3 Article 2 learning points 5 detention investigation recs 1 PHSO decision 82 LGO/SPSO decisions

When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.

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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 (2)

19 Oct 2015 · County Durham and Darlington

Concerns: Inadequate CCTV coverage and monitoring may fail to detect risks of self-harm, property damage, or identify dangerous areas like fragile roofs, hindering early intervention.

Response (response): The auction mart company plans to install CCTV with night vision and movement detection, linked to mobile phones of company management, but is currently seeking financing; a final decision is …

07 Oct 2017 · Preston and West Lancashire

Concerns: Medical record keeping was of very poor quality, and daily or tri-weekly medical checks in segregation were often not recorded or did not occur.

Committee Recommendations (52) — showing 50 strongest matches

Justice Committee

Recommendation: The children held in secure institutions have committed often very serious crimes but also include some of the most vulnerable members of society. Those in detention at Rainsbrook were considered too vulnerable to be placed in Young Offender Institutions. The …

No Published Response

#170 — Expand access to purposeful activities and training programmes for prisoners to reduce drug demand.

Justice Committee

Recommendation: The MoJ must expand access to purposeful activities, including education, vocational training, accredited work programmes and constructive recreational opportunities to prevent prisoners turning to drugs as a result 61 of boredom. We ask that the MoJ provides the Committee with …

Gov response: In line with our response to recommendation 3, and having carefully considered the Committee’s advice, we are content that the existing adjudications policy provides Governors with appropriate discretion to award suspended punishments if the prisoner …

Partially Accepted

#42 — Access to vital prison library services increasingly constrained, risking loss of provision

Justice Committee

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 …

#40 — Young Offender Institutions routinely fail to meet minimum education hours for children

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

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 …

#34 — Prison education participation rates remain low with widespread poor quality provision

Justice Committee

Recommendation: It is unacceptable that 50 per cent of prisoners are not involved in prison education, training or work, despite the high level of need across the adult estate. Even for those who do access education, the quality remains poor, with …

Gov response: Partially Accept. Education is central to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending, and we are taking steps to strengthen provision across the estate. Future funding will depend on allocations decisions, and we will provide an update to …

Partially Accepted

#31 — Set statutory minimum for time out of cell in Young Offender Institutions, with data published

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Partially Accept. We are committed to ensuring that children have the maximum possible time out of their rooms. We will consider introducing a statutory minimum for time out of room in legislation, and will assess …

Partially Accepted

#30 — Require Government to develop action plan for improving youth estate conditions, increasing time out of cell

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Accept. We recognise that change was required to make improvements in the public sector YOIs and have developed a comprehensive plan to address the concerns raised by the inspectorate over the last decade. Site-specific action …

#29 — Youth Custody Service and Young Offender Institutions fail children with excessive cell time

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Accept. We recognise that change was required to make improvements in the public sector YOIs and have developed a comprehensive plan to address the concerns raised by the inspectorate over the last decade. Site-specific action …

#26 — Require Government to produce plan for all prisoners to access full regime within three years

Justice Committee

Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice must consider the benefits of giving remand prisoners access to all parts of the regime, should they choose to participate. In the event that this is not currently viable due to the prioritisation of courses for …

Gov response: 127. This Government recognises that there are too many women in prison, many of whom have multiple complex needs. Through the Womens Justice Board, we have set out a clear ambition to reduce the number …

#18 — Inconsistent and insufficient purposeful activity across the prison estate hinders rehabilitation.

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 84. We are committed to ensuring that children have the maximum possible time out of their rooms. We will consider introducing a statutory minimum for time out of room in legislation, and will assess whether …

Partially Accepted

#16 — Statutory minimum time out of cell remains consistently unmet in prisons.

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 72. The Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. We have published our VAWG Strategy which sets out our plan to do just that, …

Partially Accepted

#2 — Include measures to ensure rehabilitation is not compromised in the next prison capacity statement

Justice Committee

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

Justice Committee

Recommendation: Staffing at Rainsbrook was affected by covid-19, but so was the number of children at the centre, down to around half of capacity. The staff-to-child ratio was broadly unaffected and additional financial resource was provided to MTC by the Ministry …

No Published Response

#173 — Drug-related medical emergencies strain prison staff and reduce purposeful activity, fueling drug demand.

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: We recognise the importance of maintaining robust security infrastructure across the prison estate and so in the 2025/26 planned capital maintenance programme, approximately £40 million has been invested in security- related projects, including approximately £15 …

#169 — High prison population and overcrowding exacerbate drug demand by limiting purposeful activity and support.

Justice Committee

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 …

#39 — Remove the six-year funding requirement to enable all prisoners to access higher education

Justice Committee

Recommendation: Access to higher education should be based on rehabilitative potential, not sentence length. We repeat the recommendation of the previous Education Select Committee and encourage the Government to remove the six-year funding requirement to enable all prisoners to access higher …

Gov response: Partially Accept. The MoJ is committed to enabling prisoners to access higher education while in custody. We already work with partners such as the Prisoners Education Trust and the Open University to widen access for …

#38 — Six-year funding rule hinders prisoner access to higher education despite proven benefits

Justice Committee

Recommendation: Evidence shows that prisoners who participate in higher education are 20 per cent less likely to reoffend and commit 30 per cent fewer reoffences in the year following release. Reforming the six-year funding rule would support long-term prisoners to develop …

Gov response: Partially Accept. The MoJ is committed to enabling prisoners to access higher education while in custody. We already work with partners such as the Prisoners Education Trust and the Open University to widen access for …

#35 — Publish clear plan with funding to improve prison education participation and quality

Justice Committee

Recommendation: The Government must publish a clear plan, with an associated funding allocation, to improve both participation and quality in prison education. This should include steps to address poor Ofsted outcomes, ensure that all prisoners—including those on remand—have access to meaningful …

Gov response: Partially Accept. Education is central to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending, and we are taking steps to strengthen provision across the estate. Future funding will depend on allocations decisions, and we will provide an update to …

Partially Accepted

#32 — Significant real-term cuts to prison education budgets undermine reoffending reduction efforts

Justice Committee

Recommendation: We are alarmed by reports of significant real-term cuts to prison education budgets, with some prisons facing reductions of up to 50 per cent. As this report makes clear, prison education is already underfunded when compared to provision in the …

Gov response: Partially Accept. 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 has …

Partially Accepted

#25 — Remand prisoners face lengthy custody with limited options due to court backlogs

Justice Committee

Recommendation: It is right that the remand population should not be mandated to participate in the regime, as they have not been found guilty. However, due to the length of time remand prisoners are in custody for due to the court …

Gov response: 122. As with recommendation 24, we are 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. …

#23 — Lack of rehabilitative support for remand prisoners increases reoffending risk

Justice Committee

Recommendation: Many remand prisoners are convicted but released straight from court without any rehabilitative support. This means they are more likely to reoffend. We welcome impending change as part of the Sentencing Bill; however, we are concerned this will not go …

Gov response: 108. The YCS recognises these failings and is addressing them through the Roadmaps to Effective Practice in Education outlined in paragraph 76-77. 109. Many children and young people in custody have a disrupted education before …

#17 — Formalise, publish, and monitor time out of cell data across all prisons.

Justice Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 75. We recognise that change was required to make improvements in the public sector YOIs and have developed a comprehensive plan to address the concerns raised by the inspectorate over the last decade. 76. Site-specific …

Justice Committee

Recommendation: Throughout this inquiry, we have heard of significant concerns about the use of separation across the youth estate - the effect it has on the individual and on the institution itself. Concerns around the use of separation in the youth …

Gov response: The issue underlying the Committee’s recommendation is the gap in the central collection of separation data for Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), and the publication of these figures is one the Government has recognised. This is …

Under Consideration

Education Committee

Recommendation: Prisoners are often transferred with short notice across the prison estate. The loss or delay in the transfer of their educational records can have serious repercussions on their ability to continue their studies, and can in some cases cause prisoners …

Gov response: We accept both recommendations. We are developing Personal Learning Plans in line with these recommendations. The new digital system we are designing will record initial assessments and record a learning plan to be followed throughout …

Justice Committee

Recommendation: We welcome the additional investment the Ministry of Justice has made to improve Through the Gate service provision until existing contracts end. We are pleased that this additional investment has resulted in an improved service for those in need of …

Gov response: Agreed The resettlement approach in the unified model is based upon the principle of the Community probation practitioner responsible for managing people post release from prison, becoming responsible for pre-release activities. They will hold the …

Under Consideration

Education Committee

Recommendation: Our inquiry has shone a light on the benefits of prisoners being able to take apprenticeships. We are pleased that the Government has listened to the weight of evidence submitted to us on this issue, and will amend current Government …

Gov response: We reject this recommendation. The apprenticeships levy was created to support the uptake and delivery of high-quality apprenticeships including allowing levy-paying employers to use their funds to support apprenticeships for those in custody. Levy payers …

Education Committee

Recommendation: Release on Temporary Licence allows relationships to develop between prisoners and employers and allows prisoners to require vital employment skills. The Government must ensure that greater use is made of Release on Temporary Licence for work placements, thus enabling prisoners …

Gov response: Government Response: Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education 15 to climb the ladder of opportunity We accept this recommendation. Apprenticeships offer prisoners a life-changing chance to gain the skills …

Education Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle. NFN is part of HMPPS, which already publishes data on employment outcomes for prison leavers. Further, the network works with over 400 employers, many of which are SMEs. Auditing …

Education Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 14 Government Response: Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity We accept this recommendation. By April 2023, all resettlement prisons will have a Prison …

Education Committee

Recommendation: Our Report makes it clear that education should be at the heart of the prison regime. The Government must look at innovative ways to make this a reality. We recommend that the Government establish a pilot scheme establishing specialised prisons …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. We are changing the legislation to enable apprenticeships for prisoners to start in the autumn. In addition, we will be establishing an Employability Innovation Fund to deliver new sector specific skills …

Education Committee

Recommendation: Reoffending is lower in prisoners who participate in higher education. The Government must remove the “six-year rule” so that prisoners on long sentences can apply for higher education courses earlier in their sentence. This would give them motivation during their …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. There are already good examples of best practice in partnerships between education and training providers and prisons and we will continue to build further relationships through our Employability Innovation Fund. HMP …

Education Committee

Recommendation: We recognise the reality of prison life and that prisoners may be transferred, often at short notice. The Ministry of Justice must look at the ways that this can cause as little harm to their education as possible. We have …

Gov response: We reject this recommendation. Loan support is available only for prisoners who are within six years of their release date, in order to strike a balance between supporting prisoners reasonably close to their release date …

Education Committee

Recommendation: The current provision of prison education is too narrow, and is not allowing prisoners to achieve their full potential. Prisoners must be able to access a varied and diverse curriculum. Whilst aiming to meet the basic needs of prisoners with …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. Most courses on offer are already unit or module-based to allow ease of transfer.

Education Committee

Recommendation: Prison Education is in a perilous state due to a continual decline in funding. The Government has not increased funding for prison education for the last five years. The current prison regime contains many barriers to the successful delivery of …

Gov response: We reject this recommendation. The Prisons Strategy White Paper sets out our 10-year vision to deliver a transformed Prisoner Education Service with a focus on giving prisoners the skills and opportunities to secure a job …

Education Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. We teach basic digital skills in all prisons, and 60 laptops have been introduced in accelerator prisons for accessing digital content in-cell. An additional million-pound investment has been made towards introducing …

Education Committee

Recommendation: When considering moving prisoners, the position of where they are in a course or qualification should be considered. The ability of whether they would be able to continue their qualification where they are moved to, should also be a factor.

Gov response: We reject this recommendation. In the Prisons Strategy White Paper, we set out the ambition for the next decade and beyond to meet our aims on skills and employment by making the estate digitally enabled …

Education Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that all prisoners have a personalised Individual Learning Plan linked to their sentence plan, created at the start of their time in prison. This should include the SEND assessment undertaken at their entry into the prison system. The …

Gov response: We accept both recommendations. We are developing Personal Learning Plans in line with these recommendations. The new digital system we are designing will record initial assessments and record a learning plan to be followed throughout …

Education Committee

Recommendation: Developing individual learning plans with prisoners helps to secure their commitment to, and ownership of, their own education, and provides a focus on individual learning. It helps to make prisoners aware of the options available to them in terms of …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle. We recognise the importance of good careers advice working to consistent national expectations in preparing prisoners for sustainable employment on release. Careers advice is currently commissioned through the Prison …

Education Committee

Recommendation: Many prisoners have a negative view of education. Incentives therefore have a part to play in encouraging prisoners to engage, or re-engage, with education. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice ensures that pay for education is equal to the …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle and intend to consult practitioners on the implications of any change to the current approach. Government Response: Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education …

Education Committee

Recommendation: The purpose of education and training in prisons should be to get prisoners onto the ladder of opportunity. It must play a key role in improving the employability of prisoners and therefore in reducing reoffending. However, prison education must be …

Gov response: and Probation Service) We accept this recommendation and are already strengthening the performance measures for governors as set out in the Prisons Strategy White Paper. New Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for education have been agreed, …

Justice Committee

Recommendation: We note that the new resettlement model is being developed alongside the Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) Model. While we welcome both models, our inquiry has highlighted some concern that the OMiC model has not yet been fully rolled out …

Gov response: Agreed The roll out of OmiC began in 2018 and has been delivered across the prison estate through an incremental, implementation approach: • Phase 1—Key Work implemented in the closed male estate at the beginning …

Under Consideration

Justice Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out how they intend the new model to be delivered practically on a local level, and how the model will work alongside those services commissioned through the Dynamic Framework. The Ministry should …

Gov response: Agreed The resettlement approach in the unified model is based upon the principle of the Community probation practitioner responsible for managing people post release from prison, becoming responsible for pre-release activities. They will hold the …

Under Consideration

Education Committee

Recommendation: There is a lack of data about the impact of education and training in prisons. It is important that there is in-depth analysis on what kind of programmes are most effective, and on longer-term outcomes. The Ministry of Justice must …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle. We are currently developing personal learning plans for prisoners and developing measures of progress. We are very keen to capture outcome data and use this to inform curriculum choices …

Partially Accepted

Education Committee

Recommendation: Businesses may have some reservations about employing former prisoners, which the Government must work to overcome. The Government must introduce incentives to encourage businesses to employ former prisoners, such as national insurance holidays for the first year of employing former …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle. We are currently developing personal learning plans for prisoners and developing measures of progress. We are very keen to capture outcome data and use this to inform curriculum choices …

Education Committee

Recommendation: In any future review of the Apprenticeship Levy, the Government must change the rules to allow businesses to direct it towards prisoner rehabilitation schemes. (Paragraph 151) Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. MoJ is setting up Employment Boards and an Employability Innovation Fund that will explore the sorts of incentives we can provide business to recruit prisoners. This might include tailoring training to …

Education Committee

Recommendation: The New Futures Network was established by the Ministry of Justice to build partnerships with employers and prisons. However, there is no published data as to what success it is having. The Ministry of Justice must publish annual data showing …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. Work is ongoing to maximise workplace ROTL in the open and female estate. This will require development of a strategy for reshaping the regime, primarily in open prisons, to divert prisoners …

Education Committee

Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice must, by the end of this year, set out a clear budget for prisons for the next 10 years, which sets out a long-term strategy for prison education, and a minimum expected spend on prison education. …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. We are developing annual curriculum guidance to support governors in identifying the best curriculum for their prison population. The next iteration of the curriculum guidance, due to be published in Autumn, …

Education Committee

Recommendation: We have serious concerns around allowing prisoners free and un-fettered access to the internet. However, we have been assured that security concerns can be overcome as technology exists which allows access to be restricted to approved content which can be …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle. A programme of survey work is currently underway to assess the condition of the fabric and critical assets of prison buildings, including education and workshop facilities, within the next …

Education Committee

Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice must introduce a digital education passport, which contains a record of a prisoner’s learning, and any identified educational needs, that follows prisoners through their sentence and across the prison estate, and which can be shown to …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation. The government has taken significant steps in giving governors autonomy in this and other areas: since the budget for prison education was moved to MoJ from DfE, governors are now responsible …

#15 — Remand prisoners' entitlement to visits not consistently met post-pandemic.

Justice Committee

Recommendation: We heard evidence that targets for the number of visits a remand prisoner is entitled to are still not being achieved as prisons are yet to fully emerge from their pandemic regimes. HMPPS should ensure this entitlement is met, including …

Gov response: We accept this recommendation in principle. We will provide specialised training regarding remand prisons to prison officers who will be working with this cohort of prisoners. Current Prison Officer Foundation training includes training on a …

PPO Death in Custody Recommendations (4)

The Governor should ensure that prisoners are unlocked during the core day and are able to engage in full-time purposeful activity.

The Governor should ensure that during a restricted regime, key work is delivered in line with the Exceptional Delivery Model.

The Governor should ensure that there is an effective key worker scheme which provides meaningful and ongoing support to prisoners.

The Governor of HMP Manchester

The Governor should outline in the action plan for this report how the actions in the UN action plan have impacted on the amount of key work carried out and the amount of time prisoners have out of their cells.

IMB Annual Reports (145) — showing 50 strongest matches

HMP Send operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions during the reporting year, significantly impacting the regime, education, and prisoner wellbeing, with women often confined for up to 23 hours daily. Despite these challenges, staff were commended for their professionalism and efforts to maintain safety and humane treatment, including the introduction of in-cell phones and improved canteen services. Key concerns highlighted by the Board include rising self-harm incidents, continued drug entry, the inhumane detention of IPP prisoners, and the detrimental long-term effects of restricted education and resettlement opportunities.

PRISON Key concerns

Rochester (2021)

HMP/YOI Rochester maintained a stable, safe, and decent environment despite severe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, with violence and self-harm incidents lower than anticipated. However, the restrictive regime, which involved locking prisoners up for 22 hours a day, significantly curtailed purposeful activity and resettlement efforts. Key concerns include persistent drug issues, inadequate accommodation for released prisoners, property losses during transfers, and a shortage of Category D places.

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

HMP Whatton operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions for most of the reporting year, with prisoners confined to cells for 22 hours daily and many activities suspended. Despite these challenges, the Board commended staff for their fair and humane approach, and prisoners largely understood the restrictions. Key concerns include the unsustainable restrictive regime, poor healthcare accommodation, delays in mental health transfers, and a backlog in offending behaviour programmes impacting resettlement.

PRISON Key concerns

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 IMB commends the prison's efforts in managing the pandemic and establishing a rehabilitative culture, while highlighting critical areas for development.

PRISON Key concerns

Deerbolt (2021)

Deerbolt continued to operate under significant COVID-19 restrictions, leading to a severely curtailed regime and concerns about purposeful activity and prisoner wellbeing. While staff are commended for maintaining a safe environment and low COVID-19 rates, alongside strong healthcare provision, the Board noted significant issues. Key concerns include persistent staff shortages, low numbers of key worker sessions, increasing gang culture, and long delays for prisoner transfers, particularly for those with complex mental health needs.

PRISON Key concerns

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. Key issues included an inadequate induction process, persistent decency issues in accommodation, and disproportionate treatment of ethnic minority prisoners in various disciplinary and incentives schemes.

PRISON Key concerns

Aylesbury (2020)

Aylesbury YOI, operating with a reduced population of 209 due to special measures, successfully improved its safety and operational performance, leading to the withdrawal of its special measures status. Despite positive developments like improved staff-prisoner relationships and infrastructure upgrades, significant concerns persist regarding the amount of time prisoners spend locked in cells, the quality of purposeful activity, and ongoing staffing and estate issues. The report also highlights challenges in addressing equality and diversity, and the impact of long segregation stays on young prisoners' wellbeing.

PRISON Key concerns

The IMB report for HMP Lewes (Feb 2020-Jan 2021) highlighted the severe impact of Covid-19 restrictions, which led to prisoners being locked in cells for up to 23.5 hours daily, deemed inhumane. While a new healthcare provider brought improvements, significant concerns remain regarding mental health bed availability, disproportionate use of force against BAME prisoners, and the plight of IPP prisoners. The Board commended staff resilience but expressed ongoing concerns about regime restrictions and the lack of purposeful activity.

PRISON Key concerns

Lancaster Farms (2021)

HMP Lancaster Farms, a Category C resettlement prison, maintained a safe environment despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly reduced violence and drug use through an emergency regime. However, this regime led to extensive confinement, severely impacting purposeful activity, education, and family contact, raising concerns about humane treatment and mental health. The Board highlighted persistent issues with self-harm, use of force, inadequate mental health staffing, property management, and accommodation, while also noting improvements in complaints handling and key worker interactions.

PRISON Key concerns

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 for IPP prisoners, and delays in transfers to open conditions.

PRISON Key concerns

HMP/YOI Norwich, a multi-functional category B, C, D, and YOI prison, experienced significant operational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to severely restricted regimes. Key concerns include persistent overcrowding with inadequate toilet privacy, a severe rat infestation, and the lack of rehabilitative programmes for IPP prisoners. Despite strong local leadership and staff teamwork, issues such as staffing shortages, poor healthcare access, and inadequate induction processes remain pressing concerns for the Board.

PRISON Key concerns

Lowdham Grange (2021)

HMP Lowdham Grange operated a restricted regime throughout the year due to COVID-19, which impacted various aspects of prison life and the Board's monitoring capabilities. Despite these challenges, the prison was generally well-managed, maintaining safety with reduced violence, effective healthcare provision, and positive staff-prisoner relationships, though staff morale declined. Key concerns remain around mental health transfers, property management, drug availability, and the progression of IPP prisoners, as well as the overall impact of lockdown on wellbeing.

PRISON Key concerns

Rye Hill (2021)

The IMB report for HMP Rye Hill (April 2020 – March 2021) details the prison's operation under COVID-19 restrictions, maintaining a safe and humane environment with commendations for case management and a prompt vaccination program. Key challenges included the significant impact of restrictions on IPP prisoner progression, insufficient mental health transfer places, and the need for broader education courses. The report also raised concerns about equality monitoring, the high threshold for upholding discrimination complaints, and ongoing difficulties with resettlement accommodation and Probation Service arrangements for released prisoners.

PRISON Key concerns

HMP Oakwood navigated the COVID-19 pandemic under a strict 22-23 hour lockdown regime, with staff showing exemplary commitment in maintaining a safe environment and humane treatment. Despite these efforts, the regime severely limited education, purposeful activity, and access to services, leading to concerns about sentence progression and mental health impacts. Key issues included the poor performance of the education provider Novus, persistent problems with prisoner property transfers, and challenges in managing transfers of vulnerable prisoners without appropriate medical information or COVID-19 testing.

PRISON Key concerns

Nottingham (2021)

This IMB report for HMP Nottingham covers a period entirely dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to severely restricted regimes with prisoners spending extended periods in cell and limited access to activities. While staff are commended for their commitment and efforts to mitigate the impact, significant concerns remain regarding the humane treatment of prisoners, particularly the extended cell confinement. Key issues include inadequate mental health provision leading to long segregation stays, the situation of IPP prisoners, and the lack of arrangements for second vaccine doses upon release.

PRISON Key concerns

North Sea Camp (2021)

The IMB report for HMP North Sea Camp for 2020-21 highlights an exceptionally difficult year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns. While the Board found the prison generally safe and humane with good healthcare, severe regime restrictions led to prisoner confinement and frustration. Key concerns include inadequate and aging accommodation, especially cramped double rooms, slow responses from the Offender Management Unit, and the lack of a dedicated end-of-life care facility.

PRISON Key concerns

HMP/YOI Preston operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions throughout the reporting year, facing two outbreaks that significantly impacted regime, staffing, and services. Despite these challenges, there were no prisoner deaths, and staff maintained good relations with prisoners, with some positive developments in digital communication and body scanner integration. However, key concerns persist around the outdated physical estate, chronic staffing shortages, and lengthy delays for mental health transfers.

PRISON Key concerns

During the reporting year dominated by COVID-19, HMP Hull remained a safe prison with reduced violence and aggression, despite two self-inflicted deaths. Staff and prisoners collaborated well, and new communication and education methods supported coping. However, pandemic restrictions severely limited prisoners' time out of cells to approximately one hour daily, highlighting issues with shared Victorian cells. While healthcare provision was maintained under pressure, the Board raised concerns about the management oversight of the external provider (CHCP) and the complexity of the complaints system.

PRISON Key concerns

Peterborough (Women) (2021)

The reporting year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which HMP Peterborough (Women) managed the emergency well, leading to significant improvements in safety outcomes. However, the restrictive regime severely impacted women's wellbeing and rehabilitation. Key concerns remain regarding national support for complex needs women, the effectiveness of the key worker system, and the need to adapt the regime better to women's specific needs.

PRISON Key concerns

Wakefield (2021)

HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating under severe lockdown regimes with prisoners spending only 1.5 hours out of cell daily. While violence reduced, self-harm incidents and deaths in custody increased. The Board raised serious concerns about persistent issues with mental health transfers, a lack of consultant forensic psychiatrist provision, and the absence of in-cell telephony, which impacted prisoner wellbeing and family contact. Staffing shortages and recruitment delays were also significant concerns.

PRISON Key concerns

Wealstun (2021)

HMP Wealstun, a Category C training and resettlement prison, navigated the reporting year (June 2020-May 2021) under severe Covid-19 restrictions, leading to prisoners being locked up for up to 23 hours daily. The Board commended the prison for maintaining order and a settled environment, with significantly reduced violence and self-harm. Key concerns highlighted include the inadequacy of the daily food allowance, the need for improved body scanner processes and training, and ensuring the full reinstatement of key worker schemes and offending behaviour programmes post-pandemic.

PRISON Key concerns

Winchester (2021)

HMP Winchester successfully navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing internal outbreaks and earning commendation for its management. Despite this, the prison continues to face significant challenges including high levels of violence, severe regime restrictions, and ongoing issues with overcrowding and the dilapidated prison estate. While healthcare provision has improved and ACCT cases have reduced, the IMB raises multiple concerns regarding the inhumane out-of-cell time, inadequate facilities for vulnerable prisoners, and a lack of funding for critical improvements.

PRISON Key concerns

Swinfen Hall (2021)

The IMB reports on HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall for 2020-21, a period significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. While aspects like healthcare provision and increased safety for some vulnerable prisoners were noted as positive, the report highlights serious concerns regarding property issues, the lack of crucial rehabilitation programs, increasing mental health referrals, and the disproportionate use of PAVA on BAME prisoners. The Board also noted challenges with staffing, poor refurbishment works, and prisoners' limited time out of cell, with many recommendations to Ministers, HMPPS, and the Governor.

PRISON Key concerns

Thameside (2021)

HMP Thameside operated under a Covid-19 lockdown regime for much of the reporting year, successfully containing the virus but impacting prisoner welfare. The prison transitioned to a restricted regime, and introduced proactive safety management initiatives, including a revised approach to gangs. However, key concerns persist regarding the long-term effects of confinement, delays in mental health transfers, staffing shortages, and insufficient purposeful activity. The IMB also highlights issues with medication dispensing, the healthcare complaints system, and facilities management.

PRISON Key concerns

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 declining trust in staff. While improvements were noted in use of force management and new drug detection methods, the Board struggled to monitor healthcare due to exclusion from meetings.

PRISON Key concerns

Manchester (2021)

HMP Manchester's reporting year (ending Feb 2021) was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and its re-categorisation to a Category B training prison. While the reduced population saw a positive decrease in violence and self-harm, the pandemic severely impacted the regime, leading to curtailed purposeful activity and extended periods of cell confinement. The Board expressed significant concern over the mental health of prisoners awaiting secure hospital transfers, highlighting unacceptable waiting times.

PRISON Key concerns

Werrington (2021)

HMYOI Werrington operated with significant challenges during the reporting year, marked by the ongoing pandemic, major refurbishment, and a sharp increase in violence and disruption in the latter months. The Board raised serious safety concerns, noting restricted time out of room and staff shortages led to inhumane treatment. While healthcare was proactive and efficient, education struggled amidst disruptions, and the Board highlighted issues with the use of Rule 49 and long remand waiting times.

PRISON Key concerns

HMP Gartree, a Category B prison, faced significant challenges during a Covid-19 restricted reporting year (Dec 2020 – Nov 2021). While the Board commended the effective management of the pandemic, leading to low infection rates, it raised serious concerns about the detrimental impact of prolonged lock-up on prisoner mental health and rehabilitation. Key issues highlighted include a declining estate infrastructure, recruitment and retention problems in healthcare, and persistent frustrations among IPP prisoners.

PRISON Key concerns

Lancaster Farms (2022)

HMP Lancaster Farms, a Category C resettlement prison, successfully managed Covid-19 risks and saw reductions in violence and self-harm during the reporting year. However, the Board remains concerned by prolonged periods of in-cell confinement, limited purposeful activity, and significant challenges in mental healthcare provision exacerbated by staffing shortages and difficulties in specialist transfers. Persistent issues include property transfer problems, inadequate toilet screening in double cells, and inconsistent communication with prisoners.

PRISON Key concerns

Liverpool (2021)

HMP Liverpool operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions in 2021, leading to prisoners spending only one hour a day out of cell, though the environment remained calm. While healthcare and education were maintained at appropriate levels, significant concerns persisted regarding the holding of mentally ill prisoners in unsuitable conditions and the lack of progress in engaging all prisoners in purposeful activity. The Board also highlighted issues with the use of body-worn cameras, prisoner property management, and the effectiveness of the new resettlement contractor.

PRISON Key concerns

Maidstone (2022)

HMP Maidstone, an exclusively foreign national Category C prison, operated under significant Covid-19 restrictions during the reporting year ending February 2022, resulting in a largely restrictive regime. Despite this, the Board found the prison generally safe, with good staff-prisoner relationships and declining self-harm and violence. However, key concerns persist regarding the inhumane impact of the restrictive regime, inadequate collaboration between HMPPS and HOIE affecting foreign national prisoners' immigration status and resettlement, persistent property management issues, and ongoing maintenance challenges within the aging estate.

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

Rochester (2022)

HMP/YOI Rochester managed to maintain a stable and safe environment despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions during the reporting year. However, this came at the cost of a highly restrictive regime, confining prisoners to cells for 22 hours daily, which the Board considered inhumane. Significant challenges persist, including dilapidated accommodation, severe IMB understaffing, recurring property issues, and a backlog of Category D transfers, all impeding prisoner progression and resettlement.

PRISON Key concerns

Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in England (2021)

This national IMB report covers Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in England from June 2020 to August 2021, a period heavily shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic. While some positive developments were noted, such as improved reception processes and generally lower self-harm, significant concerns persisted. These included limited time out of cell, insufficient education, and critical delays in mental health transfers and post-release support from local authorities, all exacerbated by pandemic restrictions.

PRISON Key concerns

Cookham Wood (2022)

This report highlights a period of significant challenges and some positive developments at HMYOI Cookham Wood. While improvements were noted in aspects of healthcare and staff dedication, major concerns persist regarding the inhumane regime, severe staffing shortages, and prolonged periods of isolation for boys. The IMB raises critical questions to the Minister, Youth Custody Service, and Governor regarding these systemic issues, emphasizing the impact on the safety, welfare, and progression of young people in custody.

PRISON Key concerns

Deerbolt (2022)

HMP/YOI Deerbolt experienced significant challenges during the reporting year, primarily due to staff shortages which severely impacted the provision of purposeful activity and led to extensive lock-up times. Despite these difficulties, the IMB noted improvements in safety and morale towards the end of the period, driven by new management and increased staffing. Healthcare provision remained a strength, but concerns persist regarding regime restrictions, educational quality, and the effectiveness of key worker sessions.

PRISON Key concerns

The IMB report for HMP Swansea (June 2020 – May 2021) notes a safe prison with low violence, reflecting good staff-prisoner relationships despite the COVID-19 restricted regime. Key concerns include insufficient mental health and dental provision, the negative impact of long-term regime restrictions, and challenges related to out-of-area prisoners and foreign nationals. The Board highlights efforts by staff to maintain care during the pandemic while advocating for improved resettlement support, especially concerning accommodation and family contact.

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

The IMB report for HMP/YOI Norwich highlights persistent staff shortages as the overarching issue, leading to a restricted regime with prisoners locked up for extended periods daily. Key concerns include high levels of self-harm and violence, an overstretched mental health team, and a lack of purposeful activity and rehabilitation programs for long-term and IPP prisoners. The Board also notes the inhumane detention of foreign national prisoners beyond their sentences and prisoners with severe mental health issues in unsuitable facilities.

PRISON Key concerns

Swinfen Hall (2023)

HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall, a Cat C training prison and YOI, reported a prisoner population of 614 at the end of April 2023. The Board observed positive movement towards increased prisoner support and a shared vision from the Governor and SLT, particularly in developing work opportunities. However, significant concerns remain regarding the restricted regime, with many prisoners experiencing 23-hour lock-ups, inadequate provision of basic items, and a persistent lack of sufficient secure mental health spaces leading to long transfer waits. The report also highlights issues with overloaded Offender Management Unit staff affecting prisoner progression, an understaffed Business Hub, and inconsistent quality in handling prisoner complaints and property issues.

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

Werrington (2023)

HMYOI Werrington's report ending August 2023 highlights mixed progress. While self-harm and prisoner-on-prisoner assaults decreased, overall violence remained unstable, and serious incidents at height were a significant concern. The Board praised healthcare and resettlement efforts, but educational provision continued to be inadequate, exacerbated by a long-closed library and limited curriculum for higher qualifications. Inadequate time out of room, particularly at weekends, and staffing shortages in social care were also key issues, alongside concerns about the safe co-location of young adults and under-18s.

PRISON Key concerns

Long Lartin (2023)

HMP Long Lartin experienced another challenging year ending December 2023, marked by an increased prisoner population and significant staffing shortages, leading to an unpredictable regime and increased prisoner frustration, self-harm, and violence. The prison's infrastructure, particularly in-cell sanitation on four wings and outdated security systems, is severely degraded, compounded by unsatisfactory maintenance services from Amey. Despite improvements in education and library provision and commendable efforts by chaplaincy and gym staff, mental health services are stretched, and purposeful activity and key worker sessions remain limited.

PRISON Key concerns

Wetherby (2025)

HMYOI Wetherby saw a significant reduction in its young person population to 119 by August 2025. The Board welcomed the YCS Roadmap and initial positive changes towards a child-centred environment. However, key concerns persist regarding escalating violence, the inadequate regime and conditions on the Benbow separation unit, and severe constraints on mental health service delivery due to unsuitable facilities. Staffing challenges, including vetting delays and loss of experienced officers, also impact the establishment's ability to provide consistent care.

PRISON Key concerns

The IMB report for HMP/YOI Feltham (August 2024-September 2025) highlights significant internal restructuring into Feltham A (YOI) and Feltham B (Category C). While commendable progress has been made in staff professionalism, substance-free units, and reduced 'keep aparts', critical concerns persist regarding high staff absence on Feltham A affecting regime, severe probation staffing shortages, and the negative impact of new visa rules on foreign national prison officers. The establishment also faces ongoing issues with estate underinvestment, insufficient purposeful activity, and the prevalence of weapons and drug contraband.

PRISON Key concerns

Ashfield (2020)

HMP Ashfield continues to be a well-run Category C prison for men serving sentences for sexual offences, known for its safe environment and humane treatment. Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily regime and programme delivery, staff were highly commended for their support and resilience. Key concerns include the persistent lack of suitable accommodation for release, issues with property management from other establishments, and the growing backlog for intervention programmes due to COVID-19 restrictions, which could hinder prisoner progression and parole.

PRISON Key concerns

Youth estate (2020)

Pre-COVID, Boards raised concerns about high levels of violence, gang activity, and inadequate mental health resources, calling for cross-governmental action. During the first national lockdown, young people endured exceptionally restrictive regimes, locked in rooms for over 22 hours daily with minimal activity, severely impacting their mental and physical health and education. The pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing systemic problems, particularly in mental health, education, and progression, with an increased remand population further compounding issues.

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

High Down (2020)

HMP High Down's reporting year (Jan-Dec 2020) was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a prolonged lockdown with prisoners often confined to cells for over 23 hours daily, impacting humane treatment and mental health. While prisoner-on-prisoner assaults reduced, assaults on staff increased by 23%. Key concerns include insufficient body worn cameras, inadequate heating, and a lack of purposeful activity and progressive transfers, particularly as the prison prepares for recategorisation to Category C.

PRISON Key concerns

IMB Recommendations (907) — showing 50 strongest matches

Wetherby (2020)

The Board has always regarded the lack of daily exercise for YP as unacceptable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, exercise was offered daily, albeit for 30 minutes. What reassurance can be given to the Board that this will now, as a minimum, become standard practice?

Governor / Director

Lancaster Farms (2020)

The Board remains concerned by the bleak and untidy condition of the exercise yards attached to the CSU (see paragraph 6.2) and notes that the lack of in-cell work activity or education within the CSU creates boredom and frustration (see paragraphs 6.5 and 9.11).

Governor / Director

Wakefield (2021)

Clarify the target minimum time out of cell for the next reporting period.

Governor / Director

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 essential for …

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 will take …

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?

Governor / Director

Whilst the Board recognises the need to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it wishes to register ongoing concerns about the men being locked in their cells for 23 out of 24 hours, and on occasions longer. This is not conducive to their long-term rehabilitation or wellbeing.

Governor / Director

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?

Governor / Director

Cookham Wood (2021)

When will there be a revised timetable offering boys significant time out of room, a full education timetable and more purposeful activity time in larger groups?

Governor / Director

Cookham Wood (2021)

A return to a full regime of time out of room for education, physical exercise, dining out and association must be introduced urgently.

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?

Governor / Director

Woodhill (2022)

To work with operational staff to stabilise the amount of predictable time prisoners have out of cell.

Governor / Director

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.

Governor / Director

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 whole establishment, …

Governor / Director

Wormwood Scrubs (2023)

The Governor should outline plans for improving the daily regime, including time out of cell and access to activities.

Governor / Director

Time out of cell for those prisoners not in work or education should be increased.

Governor / Director

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?

Governor / Director

Pentonville (2023)

A move from full to part-time education and activities during the reporting year increased the number of spaces available to the prisoners. However, for the rest of the day they only have an hour out of cell, and those not engaged in education or activities spend 23 hours a day locked up with nothing to do. Will HMPPS commit to …

When is it envisaged that a full and sustainable regime will be available to all prisoners in HMP Onley?

Governor / Director

Will the Governor increase the number of work and education places to allow more men an increase in time out of cell?

Governor / Director

Will the Governor do all in her power to increase the number of hours out of cell for all prisoners at HMP Lewes?

Governor / Director

Lancaster Farms (2023)

To ensure that maximum opportunities are given to enable prisoners to spend time outside their cells.

Governor / Director

Improve the core regime, increasing time out of cell and maximising access to meaningful occupation of time, whether in work, vocational activity or education.

Governor / Director

Forest Bank (2023)

Meaningful out of cell time remains a concern: what actions is the senior leadership team undertaking to address this?

Governor / Director

Erlestoke (2023)

What plans are in place to increase time out of cell at weekends?

Governor / Director

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?

Governor / Director

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.

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?

Governor / Director

Werrington (2024)

How can young people’s hours out of room be returned to the previous healthy pre-pandemic levels so there is an increase in purposeful activity?

Governor / Director

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?

Governor / Director

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.

Governor / Director

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.

Governor / Director

What steps are being taken to increase time out of room (TOoR)?

Governor / Director

What is the Governor doing to protect prisoners’ entitlements in relation to time out of cell, library access and purposeful activity?

Governor / Director

Make more information available regarding time out of room (TOoR), e.g. inclusion of data in daily briefing and flagging all children with less than two hours.

Governor / Director

What plans are in place to further increase time out of room for the boys at the weekends and in the evenings?

Governor / Director

When will there be sufficient meaningful activity to allow all boys to have more time out of their rooms, particularly at weekends and on bank holidays?

Woodhill (2020)

To increase prisoners’ time out of cell

Governor / Director

Thameside (2020)

The minister and HMPPS are urged to speed up the return of increased out of cell time, as many prisoners are still facing excessive hours locked in their cells, which inflicts mental and physical damage.

Ministry of Justice

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.

Governor / Director

Long Lartin (2020)

Activities for prisoners outside their cells continue to be inadequate, and HMIP expectations have, again, not been met.

The Board urges the Governor to review the regime offered, to allow greater hours of unlock for prisoners.

Governor / Director

Lancaster Farms (2020)

The Board is also concerned that the FNU is used to accommodate a range of prisoners when other suitable accommodation has not been found, including some on assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) documents, and with restricted access to regular exercise for extended periods (see paragraph 4.6).

Governor / Director

Aylesbury (2020)

Focus management effort, and discretionary resourcing, on increasing the frequency, regularity and quality of out-of-cell occupation.

Governor / Director

Springhill (2021)

The Board has highlighted the connection between late delivery of building projects and the impact on some men being able to access ROTL.

North Sea Camp (2021)

Opportunities should be taken to return to a regime where prisoners can have more time away from their accommodation and resume their resettlement plans.

Will the prison develop a reliable daily time out of room reporting mechanism for young adults on Feltham B which is as robust as that in place for young people on Feltham A?

Governor / Director

Brinsford (2021)

There are too few activity places, particularly for those prisoners who are over the age of 21. Every prisoner should have the opportunity to work or have education, and Brinsford is around 100 places short of being able to deliver that.

Werrington (2022)

What justification could there be for young people (legally children) being locked behind doors, often for up to 23 hours a day?

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 that identifying …

Governor / Director

Article 2 Learning Points (3)

We recommend that the facility of a social visit for newly convicted prisoners should apply equally to newly sentenced prisoners who have previously been at liberty on bail.

We recommend that when prisoners believed to be at risk are allowed to work, they should undertake tasks in the company of other prisoners rather than alone and that staff should supervise their work as much as possible.

We recommend that there should be a requirement in place that some means of distraction should always be offered to prisoners in court custody suites.

Detention Investigations (5)

Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R17

The SMT must design and implement as a matter of urgency purposeful and better-resourced education, activities and entertainments programmes. (To be completed as a matter of urgency)

Immigration Detention

Assessment of government progress in implementing the report on the … — Rec 9

Detainees should have improved access to facilities on their units at night, and night-time lock-in periods should begin as late as possible.

Immigration Detention

Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R19

The SMT should reinstate the cultural kitchen. (To be completed as a matter of urgency)

Immigration Detention

Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R20

The SMT should consider whether it is possible to provide detainees in paid work with opportunities to gain qualifications. (To be completed within 6 months)

Immigration Detention

Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R18

The SMT should ensure that teachers at Brook House, including the arts and crafts teachers, have ready access to the equipment and resources to provide worthwhile programmes for detainees. (To be completed within 3 months)

Immigration Detention

PHSO Casework Decisions (1)

P-003496 — An independent provider in the Isle of Wight …

Mr K complains about his care and treatment between February and June 2023. He complains he was unable to attend some medical appointment because nobody sent for him, he has not had dental treatment since May 2023 and he is not allowed to hold medicine in his cell.

NHS in England Apr 2025

LGO / SPSO Decisions (82)

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 …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld Feb 2014

201305414 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained to us that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had failed to provide prisoners with adequate access to weights and cardiovascular (CV) equipment and facilities. This related to the two fitness rooms within a residential hall, a weights room and CV room and the access to the main …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld May 2015

201305412 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained to us that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to properly maintain the weights and cardiovascular equipment in two fitness rooms within a residential hall, a weights room and cardiovascular room. We did not find evidence to support this and did not uphold this aspect of Mr …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld May 2015

201103352 — Scottish Prison Service

In prisons there are paid work opportunities for prisoners in various areas. Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he had been unable to obtain work in prison. He considered that this disadvantaged him financially and affected his prospects for successful resettlement after his sentence. When we looked at …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Apr 2012

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 …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Feb 2026

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

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

201201814 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained about being allocated to work in a prison work unit which was unsuitable for his asthma. However, on contacting the prison, we learned that they had sorted the problem out by finding him a place in a suitable unit. We did not consider, …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons 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

201204623 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, was removed from his job and allocated another role. He complained about this and was told that the decision had been taken after intelligence was received that indicated he had been involved in subversive activities. Mr C was not happy about this and brought …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Sep 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

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 …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld May 2014

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

201305950 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS)'s arrangements in relation to Mr A's terminally ill mother were not handled properly. Mr C was concerned that Mr A was only allowed to spend 30 minutes with his mother at a hospice; that the security measures were excessive when Mr …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld Aug 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

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

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

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

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

201003905 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had not told him why he was not allowed to progress to enhanced conditions when he believed he met the relevant criteria. It is not for us to decide whether prisoners should progress to enhanced conditions. Such decisions are discretionary matters …

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

201103084 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he said the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) did not have a supplier in place to enable him to buy ethnic DVDs and CDs. Our enquiries confirmed the SPS did have a supplier that was able to provide ethnic DVDs and CDs. All …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Mar 2012

201105186 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he was not allowed to attend recreation as a punishment (through the internal prison disciplinary procedure). He complained that a prison officer unreasonably failed to unlock his cell for the last 30 minutes of the recreation period. Mr C said that as …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld Aug 2012

201201828 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the programmes case management board (PCMB) inappropriately considered historical information relating to his offending behaviour before deciding that he should participate in the violence prevention programme and the substance related offending behaviour programme. The PCMB are responsible for deciding what programmes individual …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Feb 2013

201201707 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C applied for a vacancy in a prison workshop. He complained that the prison unreasonably rejected his application. The prison advised Mr C that there was a risk to his safety if they allowed him to participate in the workshop due to intelligence (adverse information obtained by the Scottish …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Mar 2013

201203551 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had not paid him correctly when he attended education classes. Under the prison rules, prisoners are entitled to be paid earnings for attending an education class. During our investigation, we considered the SPS's prisoner wage earning policy. This says that where …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Jul 2013

201200671 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had inappropriately implemented the prisoner wage earning policy. The SPS had introduced a new prisoner wage policy in August 2011. The policy recognised that the process of moving to this new wage earning system might present some …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Jul 2013

201205354 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that there was an unreasonable delay in the risk management team (RMT) identifying that he should participate in further group work. Mr C said he had advised previous RMTs that he had an outstanding need, and that his progression to less secure conditions …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Aug 2013

201300968 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he was being unfairly denied the opportunity to participate in his identified behaviour programmes. He was concerned that he would not be able to complete these and progress to open conditions in time before his parole qualifying date. (This is the date …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Sep 2013

201300748 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he had asked the prison to provide some items of clothing but they had not done so. Prisons have to satisfy certain clothing needs if a prisoner does not have such items him or herself, and they should provide enough such items …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Nov 2013

201305037 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, had a particular job in prison, which he said he had worked hard to obtain and which he enjoyed. He said that he had discussed some problems with a female member of staff but had then been accused of making inappropriate remarks to her …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld May 2014

201502488 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that his prison kept him locked in his cell for 23 hours each day for several weeks, without completing the relevant paperwork such as that relating to rule 95 of the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011. Rule 95 provides for the confinement and custody …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Dec 2015

201508336 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that there was a delay in the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) submitting his first grant of temporary release application (FGTR) to Scottish Ministers to approve his temporary release from prison. The SPS accepted that there had been a considerable delay by prison staff in submitting the FGTR, …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Feb 2017

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 …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Oct 2019

201700916 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service's (SPS) handling of his sentence management was unreasonable and that this had impacted upon the timing of his progression to open prison (a prison with the minimum of restrictions on prisoners' movements and activities). He said that the SPS had failed to …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Upheld Oct 2019

201004315 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained raised a number of issues about the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). He complained that they allocated him to a joinery workparty based on an incorrect view that he had relevant experience. He also complained that they do not operate an open and transparent process for allocation of …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Oct 2011

201102084 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he believed a member of staff lied when preparing his programme assessment report. The report was prepared to identify whether Mr C had any outstanding offence-focussed work that he needed to complete. Our investigation confirmed that the prison investigated Mr C's complaint …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Dec 2011

201101966 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, wanted to submit a request to change work parties whilst he was off work in prison for health reasons. He complained that it was unfair to prevent his request while he was off work. Our investigation confirmed that it is not normal practice to …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Dec 2011

201101582 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that a decision to refuse him progression to enhanced conditions was unreasonably manipulated by a particular member of staff. Mr C questioned the professional opinion of the staff member. He felt that the SPS should not take into account subjective accounts given by staff. We explained that …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Dec 2011

201101182 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, failed to attend his work party. He was placed on a misconduct report and subsequently issued with a caution. Mr C complained that prisoners in another hall within the same prison who fail to attend work are dealt with under a different process (referred …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Dec 2011

201103862 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because the prison was not allowing him to participate in offending behaviour programmes. He said that this was unfair. Our enquiries with the prison confirmed that Mr C was unable to participate in offending behaviour programmes because he was appealing his conviction and …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Apr 2012

201103473 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he said there had been an unreasonable delay in him being able to access the Substance Related Offending Behaviour Programme (SROBP). SROBP is a programme focusing on the relationship between prisoners' substance use and their offending behaviour. Mr C was a protection …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Apr 2012

201105501 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison unreasonably failed to provide him with meaningful work. In particular, he felt he had not been given a job because of his race. Mr C also complained that the prison failed to investigate and respond to his complaint appropriately. In …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Partly Upheld Sep 2012

201105267 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, was refused progression (movement through the prison system to less supervised conditions) to open conditions because he was involved in outstanding civil court proceedings. He complained that it was unreasonable for the prison to delay his progression on this basis. We obtained further information …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Sep 2012

201103664 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had unreasonably delayed in assessing him for offending behaviour programmes. He said that this would have a negative impact on his progression (movement through the prison system to less supervised conditions). When we investigated the complaint, we …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Sep 2012

201201405 — Scottish Prison Service

Mr C complained that one of the three specific magazine titles he regularly received was removed from his possession. When he complained to the prison about this, he was advised that they were reviewing their policy on sexually explicit publications. In complaining to this office, Mr C stated that the …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Prisons Not Upheld Nov 2012

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