Kent court custody – positive progress but staffing concerns

The inspection of court custody facilities by HM Inspectorate of Prisons covered two Crown courts and five magistrates’ courts. The Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) had contracted Serco on behalf of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to provide escort and court custody services in the region.

Inspectors found good progress against the recommendations made by the Inspectorate in the last visit in 2014. The leadership structure was clear, including an improved and properly focused working relationship between the three main agencies, particularly at a strategic level. Serco staff were well trained, and interactions with detainees were mostly good. Inspectors saw examples of staff treating detainees patiently and kindly and explaining key processes clearly and effectively. Improvements had been made in safeguarding, with many staff able to explain the level of concerns which should trigger the safeguarding process. Positively there was a good approach to the management of risk and detainees were no longer handcuffed routinely.

However, the facilities were suffering from a pervasive shortage of escort and custody staff, which limited progress. Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said:

“This adversely affected detainees in a number of important areas including the length of time they spent in detention, and albeit to a lesser degree, the provision of welfare.

“This needed to be addressed with some urgency.”

Escort conditions for detainees had been improved and transfer vehicles were clean, safe, and well-equipped, but women and sometimes children too frequently shared transport with men, especially from police stations.

Although conditions across the estate had improved since the last inspection, further progress was required. Some cells had been recently redecorated and were of a good standard, but others were dark and shabby. Inspectors were concerned to find a small number of ligature points at every facility.

Liasion and diversion services were under-developed; staff were unclear on how to contact mental health professionals and some detainees went without help from a specialist team. Inspectors also found inconsistencies in care for children. Those looked after by an enhanced care team had good access to support and resources, but not all children benefitted from this and instead spent much of the day locked up with little to keep them occupied.

Inspectors made 20 recommendations, which Mr Taylor hoped would “assist HMCT, PECS, and Serco to deliver improved outcomes for those in their care.”

Notes to editors

1. Read the report: Kent. This report was published on 13 May 2022.
2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. Kent court facilities comprises two Crown courts and five magistrates’ courts, with a total of 56 cells. From 1 January to 31 December 4,391 detainees were held.
4. The Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) arm of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) had contracted Serco on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to provide escort and court custody services in the region.
5. This inspection took place on 3–12 March 2022.