Population pressures create challenges at HMP Downview

The population of HMP/YOI Downview rose by 75% from lockdown measures in autumn 2020 to a peak in 2024, placing increasing pressure on the operation of the prison. In its 2023-2024 annual report published today (3 September 2024), the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) highlight a number of concerns.

It observed that:

• Reduced powers of discretion in the women HMP/YOI Downview accepted as transfers, resulted in a significantly more complex cohort of prisoners, including women on recall, those with drug-related issues and significant mental health needs, and women with shorter sentences left to serve. The increased churn of new arrivals created instability within the population.
• The requirement for use of force more than doubled across the reporting year and assaults on staff (often occurring when attempting to prevent prisoners from self-harming) increased by 54%.
• Delays in transfers to secure psychiatric settings meant that acutely mentally unwell women were often unsuitably housed in segregated conditions for their own and others’ safety.
• Poorly provisioned family engagement support contributed to deteriorating behaviour of women struggling to maintain contact with their children and families. This is despite research from the Ministry of Justice highlighting that prisoners who receive family visits are 39% less likely to reoffend than those who do not[1].

However, the Board is pleased to note that:

• Consistent patience and compassion was observed being shown by staff managing acutely mentally unwell women.
• A more effective interface between the prison and healthcare team resulted in positive outcomes for prisoners. The quality of mental healthcare support to a complex demographic of prisoners was of a high standard.
• There was an increased range of release on temporary licence opportunities for women and excellent support given by staff in securing employment for prisoners upon release.

IMB HMP/YOI Downview Chair, Emma Wilson, said:

“The prison has had a challenging year. The Board has seen first-hand the significant impact of the increase in population throughout the women’s estate. We have observed not only the consequences of a complex mix of prisoners on the effective operations of the prison, but also a near-doubling of acutely mentally unwell women arriving at Downview who would be best served in a secure psychiatric setting.

We have been impressed by the compassion and professionalism of staff in supporting these women. But the fact remains that prison staff aren’t trained to treat or support severe psychiatric cases, and segregation conditions are categorically unsuitable to house vulnerable prisoners.

Many women experience significant family crises whilst in prison and the Board’s view is that the contracted support provision has been inconsistent and poor. We also observed some unfathomable transfer decisions by HMPPS during this period, where women were moved far away from existing family and support networks, including one prisoner who was transferred to Downview far away from her disabled children. Population pressures have appeared to support a somewhat knee-jerk, short-term approach by HMPPS to moving women around the female estate.”

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/importance-of-strengthening-prisoners-family-ties-to-prevent-reoffending-and-reduce-intergenerational-crime