Reports published 8 July

HMP Full Sutton

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 11–21 March 2024

Summary of findings: Full Sutton was generally safe with a capable and experienced cohort of staff, and while violence had increased since the last inspection, it was quite rare.

More full-time activity places were needed for the population. Only a third of prisoners had left the wing for education skills and work, with 38% of prisoners locked up during the working day. Frequent planned lockdowns on some evenings and weekends were put in place during staffing shortages but were still in place despite much improved recruitment and retention. The provision of psychologically based therapeutic mental health interventions provision needed improvement.

Points to note: The segregation unit’s regime was very limited and when the unit was full men could go up to three days without a shower or access to the outside. The use of PAVA could not always be justified and in one case was used on a disabled man.

Read the report: Full Sutton

HMP Frankland

Type of inspection: full inspection

Dates of inspection: 4–14 March 2024

Summary of findings: Frankland continues to be a very capable institution, with fewer assaults recorded and less use of force than at similar establishments. Despite this, nearly half of prisoners said they had felt unsafe at some point, perhaps due to the prison’s complex, high-risk population.

Fully staffed with a good mix of experience levels, the jail delivered predictable and reliable routines for prisoners. The library and PE department were popular and lively and leaders had reinstated evening association. Security and risk reduction were well-managed, and the promotion of positive behaviour was reasonably effective. Although self-harm had reduced, there had sadly been one self-inflicted death in recent years.

Points to note: HMPPS leaders needed to invest more into improving the physical fabric of Frankland, with some areas in a poor state of repair. The promotion of fair treatment and inclusion was not sufficiently prioritised with too many discrimination incident forms being dealt with poorly.

Read the report: Frankland

Isle of Man Prison

Type of inspection: independent review of progress

Dates of inspection: 30 April – 2 May 2024

Summary of findings: Care for those at risk of suicide and self-harm had improved; individuals were now well supported and those on ACCT case management received well-being self-help packs. Inappropriate use of ‘special’ unfurnished cells in the segregation unit had ceased, but authorisation for continued segregation needed to be better documented and input from health care staff more consistent.

Promising initiatives were in place to strengthen family ties, such as improved support for school-aged children with imprisoned parents, but plans to link vocational training to employment opportunities on the island still needed implementing. Work to reduce prisoners’ risk to others was good, with increased forensic psychology and excellent public protection arrangements.

Points to note: Security procedures remained disproportionate with the excessive strip-searching of prisoners. New arrivals were handcuffed in transit and monitored every 30 minutes for their first 24 hours at the prison regardless of risk, with night checks regularly waking prisoners up. New arrivals could also wait up to three days for most property, including spare clothes.

Read the report: Isle of Man