Insufficient training and resettlement opportunities for prisoners at HMP Erlestoke highlighted once again by the IMB

In its 2023-24 annual report, published today (6 August 2024), the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Erlestoke reports having observed a generally well managed prison. However, far more focus is needed on training and resettlement, which is the core purpose of the prison.

The report draws attention to:

• The continued lack of hope of release for those serving long or imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences which has had an adverse impact on prisoners’ health and wellbeing.
• A significant shortage of jobs within the prison, with a quarter of the prison’s
  population not being in education or employment.
• The chronic national shortage of accommodation for prisoners with complex mental
  health needs who cannot be adequately cared for in a prison environment.
• The increase in self-harm incidents by more than 100%, from 215 to 468 since
  the last reporting year, indicating higher levels of vulnerability amongst prisoners.

However, the report highlights:

• The positive relationships observed in general between prison staff and prisoners.
• The benefits of providing help and support for prisoners who are neurodiverse.
• The delivery of a wide range of wellbeing sessions and events including a
  literature festival in which authors, film-makers and artists visited the prison.

Chair of the IMB at Erlestoke, Kathryn Williams, commented:

“The ever increasing need to accommodate more complex prisoners at Erlestoke has inevitably placed pressure on the prison. We are keen to see far more focus and drive towards meaningful training and resettlement opportunities to give prisoners hope and a greater chance of turning their lives around. With the appointment of a new governor, we are cautiously optimistic that changes will occur over the coming year.”