Prison watchdog reports failures to adhere to basic procedures and serious breaches in fire safety provision at HMP Elmley

The 2023-24 Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) annual report for Elmley prison (published today, 21 January 2025) highlights key aspects of prisoner welfare support that fail to meet national expectations, placing prisoners at risk. Indeed, the standard of accommodation in one area of the prison poses a dangerous fire risk according to the Prison Service’s own assessment. 

The IMB notes that:

• Houseblock 5 poses an “intolerable” fire risk which the Prison Service has taken insufficient steps to address, leaving prisoners and staff at risk of serious harm.
• Assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) plans (used to support prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm) were not effectively quality assured, potentially putting vulnerable prisoners at risk.
• Too few key work sessions took place, with an average of 20% of the required total occurring each week, which is unacceptably low.
• Vocational work opportunities for prisoners to gain the valuable skills needed to support effective transition back into paid employment upon release were poor. This was particularly so for remand prisoners, who account for between 60-70% of the prison population.

However, it is pleased to report that:

• The quality of healthcare provision markedly improved during the reporting year thanks to the effective work undertaken by the external provider.

Elmley prison IMB Chair, Jon Whitcombe, said:

“While we recognise the immense pressure the Prison Service is under, this does not excuse prisoners and staff lives being put at risk through their failure to act on unacceptable fire risk assessments.

Whilst some aspects of the prison, such as the healthcare provision, have improved over the reporting period, there is still too much practice that is inadequate, with limited capacity or ambition to improve matters.”