Reports published 24 February

The Mount

Type of inspection: full inspection, unannounced

Dates of inspection: 11–12 and 18–22 November 2024

Summary of findings: Staff recruitment, retention and capability had improved and most prisoners were being supported effectively, although many foreign national prisoners were frustrated about limited access to immigration officers. Rates of self-harm had reduced but there had been five suicides since the prison was inspected in 2022. The ingress of contraband on drones threatened to destabilise the jail; as well as drugs, weapons had also been found. Leaders were unaware of the poor quality of teaching, and a lack of supervision at medication hatches was causing patient confidentiality breaches and increasing the risk of bullying and medication diversion.

Points to note: The incentivised substance-free living wing was among the best inspectors had seen, with knowledgeable staff supporting the recovery of the many addicts in the jail. Although much of the accommodation was showing its age, a well-led team of prisoners was working hard to complete essential maintenance. Regular vlogs and good visibility from the senior team were appreciated by staff and prisoners alike.

Read the report: The Mount

La Moye prison

Type of inspection: full inspection, announced

Dates of inspection: 11–21 November 2024

Summary of findings: La Moye is the only prison in Jersey, holding men, women, young offenders and, in exceptional circumstances, children. Since our 2017 inspection, the establishment had remained safe and respectful, with low levels of violence and self-harm. Staff-prisoner relationships were excellent, accommodation units were very good, as was prisoners’ access to various services, amenities and health care. However, data use to drive improvements were poor and segregation was overused.

Points to note: The provision of work and education had deteriorated significantly, and prisoners were not able to prepare effectively for release. Work opportunities were of poor quality, there was insufficient accredited training and most education courses only allowed for low-level achievement. There was an urgent need to rebuild a regime that occupied prisoners and incentivised them to behave well and engage while in custody.

Read the report: La Moye prison, Jersey

Short-term holding facilities at France-UK Borders

Type of inspection: full inspection, unannounced

Dates of inspection: 4 – 6 November 2024

Summary of findings: Overall, Border Force processed cases reasonably efficiently to minimise the length of detention, but there were still too many exceptions, with some people, including children, held over 10 hours.

Positively, the Calais Freight facility that confined clandestine travellers in rundown vans without clear legal authority had ceased. However, Coquelles Freight and Tourist holding rooms were in poor physical condition, and inspectors met exhausted detainees held in a stuffy, small holding room, with no access to showers.

Points to note: There were clear safeguarding issues, including no record of referrals for vulnerable detainees who were re-trafficked and a lack of data on Police Aux Frontières safeguarding referrals or the outcomes of age assessments. Poor phone signal undermined the use of professional interpretation services and, in one case, delayed a Border Force officer’s attempt to call for medical assistance.

Read the report: France-UK Borders